Cancer is associated with uncontrolled growth of cells, coupled with
malignancy and invasiveness. Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer
with chemical substances (chemotherapeutic agents) such as cytotoxic
anti-neoplastic drugs.
Its ultimate objective is to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy may use
drugs one at a time or several at once. That depends on the needs of the
individual and may differ from person to person. These dosages may be
administered in a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Treatment may last
for varied time periods; from several weeks to several years.
These medications are important for the patients in their fight against
cancer in order to suppress, if not remit, cancer cells. Chemotherapy
can also prevent or delay the return of a cancer, after a tumor has been
surgically removed. However, it may have some very harsh side-effects.
The specificity of these side-effects will vary depending on the exact
nature of medications that will be used for chemotherapy. Some common
side-effects include loss of hair, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting
tendency, sores in the mouth, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, and
infection.
Many of these side-effects can be dealt with herbal remedies. However,
it is extremely important to be aware of the fact that many herbal
treatments can interfere with the ongoing treatment prescribed by
doctors, and therefore, must be disclosed to the doctor before going on
with them. In fact, the patient should check with the doctor before
administering any of the suggestions provided in this article.
Some of the herbal ingredients that maybe helpful are listed below:
Ginger: This reduces nausea and vomiting, which in turn helps reduce
loss of appetite. Other foods that reduce nausea are diluted non-acidic
juices, broths, oatmeal, rice, fruit smoothies without dairy, mineral
water with lime, mashed banana and so on.
Spirulina: Available in powder, flake and tablet form, this is a kind of
bluish green algae. Its richness of protein and vitamin contents makes
it helpful for chemotherapy patients. It directly helps to reduce loss
of appetite.
Soy Products: Some soy products can have a positive impact on appetite
as well as a reducing effect on the risk of infection. This is because
they can improve the immune system and aid the increase in blood counts.
Caraway seeds: These also have a helpful effect on reducing nausea and vomiting tendencies.
Taking Vitamin E supplements can help reduce the effects that result in
hair loss and even mouth sores. However, it may also interfere with
current treatments, so consult a doctor first.
A mushroom called Ganoderma Lucidum is known to have the ability to
reduce loss of appetite, fatigue, and hair loss in patients undergoing
chemotherapy.
Extracts of olive leaves act as good substance to improve immunity.
Aloe juice consumption is also a good way of improving immunity in the body.
Foods with potassium are a good solution for people undergoing
chemotherapy since potassium is drained out during the chemotherapy
sessions, which leads to fatigue. Examples include bananas (medium sized
ones without spots), butternut squash, avocado, prune juice and so on.
Foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce, toast and black tea without
sugar are helpful for diarrhea conditions. Foods that should be avoided
in such a condition include dairy products, fatty or fried foods, dried
foods, seeds and nuts, caffeinated drinks, spicy foods, gravies and so
on.
Foods such as raw vegetables, nuts, low-fat popcorn, dried prunes and so
on can help during constipation. On the other side, foods such as rice
milk, bananas, calcium, black teas and so on should be avoided.
It is important to remember, as aforementioned, that many of these
suggestions may be contrary to the recommendations of the doctors, which
can be very dangerous. Therefore, it is very crucial that the doctors
be made aware of everything before in-taking the substance. Also, it is
important to keep in mind that half the battle is that of the mind.
So it is very important to stay positive and be able to find silver
linings even when times are dark. Remember, negative emotions will do
nothing but make things worse. It is your duty to keep yourself happy,
no matter what the situation.
