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Article Series: Cancer
Help Me Understand Cancer
Side
Effects Of Chemotherapy : Part 2
The chemotherapy used to treat cancer is generally
well tolerated by most people. Most side effects are mild and
can be treated with medication.
Mouth
Sores: Chemotherapy can cause painful sores and ulcers
on the lips, mouth, gums, and throat. These sores can become
infected. They can also make eating and drinking difficult,
which can lead to dehydration. Fortunately, mouth sores disappear
once the treatments have concluded. Ask your doctor about medication
to treat these sores. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Avoid spicy, sauce-based foods. Eat soft foods such as baby
food, milk shakes, or ice cream until your condition improves.
Here are additional suggestions for coping with mouth sores:
- See
your dentist if possible before chemotherapy to have your
teeth cleaned and any cavities filled.
- Brush
and floss your teeth properly, using a soft toothbrush;
hard bristles
can damage tissues.
- Rinse
your toothbrush well after use and store it in a dry place.
- Avoid
commercial mouthwashes that contain a lot of salt or
alcohol. Ask your doctor or nurse about a mouthwash
that
you might use. Your dentist may recommend a fluoride
rinse or special gel for oral care.
Low
Blood Counts: Chemotherapy can damage actively dividing
cells in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is an important source
of red blood cells, infection-fighting white blood cells, and
cells that help the blood to clot. By temporarily damaging
bone marrow cells, chemotherapy can cause anemia, a low red
blood cell count. Chemotherapy can also reduce the number of
platelets, cells that help clot the blood. If your platelet
counts get too low, you can bleed or bruise very easily. If
you notice unexpected bruises on your body, contact your doctor
immediately.
Fortunately, the chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat cancer
have mild effects on bone marrow and do not present a major
problem. Once chemotherapy has stopped, the low blood counts
are completely treatable and reversible. Your doctor should
monitor your blood counts with periodic blood work.
Infections: Chemotherapy can also lower your white blood cell
count. This may lead to a weakening of the immune system, which
makes an individual susceptible to infections. If you're receiving
chemotherapy, you are more prone to get infections throughout
the body, including pneumonia, blood infections, urine infections,
and skin infections. Be alert for the signs of infection -
fever over 100 degrees, shaking chills, sweats, coughing up
dark or bloody sputum, pain or burning with urination, and
pain or redness around cuts. If you feel an infection coming
on, notify your doctor immediately. Infections can be effectively
treated with antibiotics. To reduce your risk of infection:
- Stay
away from people who have diseases that you can catch,
such as a cold, the flu, the measles, or chicken pox.
- Wash
your hands often during the day, especially after using
the bathroom.
- Clean
your rectal area gently but thoroughly after each bowel
movement. Notify your doctor or nurse
if this
area becomes
irritated or if you have hemorrhoids.
- Stay
away from children who have recently received vaccinations.
- Clean
cuts and scrapes right away.
- Wear
gloves when gardening or cleaning up after pets or small
children.
- Use
a soft toothbrush that won't hurt your gums.
- Be
careful not to cut or nick yourself.
Rashes: Chemotherapy used to treat cancer can result in rashes
on your hands or feet. These rashes can itch and be painful.
However, they are temporary. Ask your doctor about medication
to relieve the itching. Try to avoid scratching, which can
lead to infections requiring antibiotics. # # # # #
SolveYourProblem.com
: 2006
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