10 things to know about cancer chemotherapy

You can change your diet to limit side effects when at home chemotherapy and work normally during treatment.

Chemotherapy is to put a special treatment into the body to kill cancer cells . A patient's cancer treatment regimen, depending on the situation, will have multiple chemotherapy sessions. Medications are actually chemicals, one that attacks cancer cells but on the other hand also damages healthy cells, leading to many side effects for patients.

According to WebMD, during chemotherapy, patients need to know the following 10 things:

Chemotherapy is to put a special treatment into the body to kill cancer cells.

No need to stay overnight in the hospital

The hospital is not the only place where you can get medicine. You can also treat at home, at the doctor's office, at the clinic. However, the doctor will decide the route you will take, the type of cancer that is suitable for your cancer, depending on your health problems . When you are finished, you can go home to rest. No need to stay in the hospital.

Should take some supplements

As directed by your doctor, you can use some creams or gels, take pills or liquids, to reduce the unpleasant symptoms of the body due to chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy is useful even if the tumor is not removed

Chemotherapy kills cancer cells, so you can assume that the goal is always to remove the tumor. But sometimes doctors give you the use of chemicals for other reasons, such as killing cancer cells to remove or shrink the tumor. Thereafter, follow-up treatments such as surgery or radiotherapy will be taken, reducing some unpleasant pain symptoms even if the disease cannot be cured.

Continue your work during chemotherapy

There are many people who continue to work during the treatment period, it is best to have a flexible schedule. Work part time or work from home on days when you feel unwell.

Side effects may vary

Chemotherapy causes many side effects such as fatigue and constipation, hair loss, nausea and mood changes. These side effects are not the same for everyone. Some people have less side effects, even not. Also side effects may appear months or years after treatment.

Long-term and late effects of chemotherapy

Long-term chemotherapy causes lung, heart and kidney problems, nerve damage, called peripheral neuropathy.

Dietary changes may limit side effects

Eating the right foods will help you replenish energy during chemotherapy. You reduce nausea when eating lots of protein and calories. If the hard food is not absorbed, replace it with a liquid meal or juice, soup, milk. Eat soft, cool or frozen foods like yogurt, custard and ice. Divide meals into 5-6 small meals a day instead of three big meals.

Treatment of diseases other than cancer

Because chemotherapy drugs kill or prevent cancer cells from dividing quickly, doctors sometimes use them to combat other conditions such as bone marrow stem cell transplantation, treatment of overactive immune systems, Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Full immunization before chemotherapy

You should inject the necessary vaccines including influenza, before chemotherapy. Oral hygiene, tooth decay to remove bacteria in the mouth, wash your hands often, away from sick people and pets. In addition, do not arbitrarily use drugs and vitamins not prescribed by a doctor because it may counteract chemotherapy.