Wei Laboratories, Inc.
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Email: wei@weilab.com
What are Chemotherapy Side Effects?
Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in your body. Chemotherapy
is most often used to treat cancer, since cancer cells grow and multiply much more quickly than most cells in the body.

Many different chemotherapy drugs are available. Chemotherapy drugs can be used alone or in combination to treat a
wide variety of cancers.

Though chemotherapy is an effective way to treat many types of cancer, chemotherapy treatment also carries a risk of
side effects. Some chemotherapy side effects are mild and treatable, others can cause serious complications.

Symptoms
The most common symptoms include:
•        Pain, burning or tingling in fingers, toes, hands and feet
•        Loss of sensation to touch
•        Difficulty picking things up or buttoning clothes
•        Weakness, cramping or pain in hands and/or feet
•        Sensitivity to temperature extremes
•        Muscle weakness and balance problems
•        Constipation
•        Decreased reflexes
•        Hair loss
•        Nausea or vomiting
•        Fatigue
•        Lump or thickening that can be felt under the skin
•        Weight changes, including unintended loss or gain
•        Skin changes, such as yellowing, darkening or redness of the skin, sores that won't heal, or changes to existing
     moles
•        Changes in bowel or bladder habits
•        Persistent cough
•        Difficulty swallowing
•        Hoarseness
•        Persistent indigestion or discomfort after eating
•        Persistent, unexplained muscle or joint pain

Western Medicine Treatment
        Try these tips when you feel tired or weak:
            Save your energy.
            Choose the most important things to do each day.
            Ask for help.
            When family or friends offer to help, let them. They can take you to the doctor, buy groceries, or make  
              meals.
        Balance rest with activity.
            Take short naps during the day. Short naps of less than 1 hour are best. Too much bed rest can make you
             feel
             weak.
            Sleep at least 8 hours every night.
            You may feel better if you take short walks or exercise a little every day.
        Eat and drink well.
            Talk with your doctor or nurse to learn what foods and drinks are best for you.
            You may need to eat high-protein foods. Meat, peanut butter, and eggs are good choices.
            You may need to eat foods with iron. Red meat, leafy greens (such as collard greens and spinach), and
              cooked
             dried beans are good choices.
            Most people need to drink at least 8 cups of liquid every day. Water and juice with extra water added are
             good
             choices.
        Try these tips to make eating easier:
            Set meal times and routines.
            Set times to eat a little, even if you're not hungry.
            Eat 5 or 6 small meals each day, instead of 3 big meals.
            Keep up your interest in food by trying new foods. Eat with family or friends.
            If food tastes like metal, eat with plastic forks or spoons. Use a glass pot for cooking.
            Be active.
            Being active may help you feel more hungry.
            Take a short walk each day.
        Drink liquids.
            Try milkshakes or soup. These foods are easy to swallow.
            Getting enough liquids is important, but don't fill up on liquids right before you eat or during meals.
        Protect yourself.
            Use an electric shaver, not a razor.
            Be careful when using scissors, knives, or other sharp objects.
            Wear shoes all the time, to protect your feet.
            Blow your nose gently.
            Brush your teeth with a very soft toothbrush.
            Tell your doctor or nurse if you have hard bowel movements or feel constipated.
        Eat high-fiber foods such as:
            Whole-grain breads and cereals
            Fruits and vegetables
            Nuts, seeds, and popcorn
        Eat small meals that are easy to digest.
            Eat 5 or 6 small meals each day, instead of 3 big meals.
            Foods such as bananas, applesauce, white rice, and white toast are easy to digest.
        Drink more liquids each day.
            Keep in mind that drinking more won't stop the diarrhea, but it will help replace fluids you are losing.
            Most people who have diarrhea need to drink 8 to 12 cups of liquid every day.
            Clear broth, gelatin, and Pedialyte® are good choices for most people.
        Stay away from these foods:
            Don't have dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and sour cream.
            Don't eat spicy, greasy, or fried foods.
            Don't have foods that cause gas, such as broccoli and cabbage.
            Don't eat foods that are high in fiber, such as whole-wheat breads, granola, and bran cereals.
            Don't eat raw fruits or vegetables. Most canned fruits and vegetables are okay.
        Make a plan to feel less tired.
            Do activities that are most important first.
            Ask others for help.
            Take time off from your job, or work fewer hours.
            Be as active as you can.
            Try to exercise every day. Even 15 to 30 minutes a day can help give you energy.
            Take a walk or ride an exercise bike every day.
            Ask your doctor or nurse about other exercises that can help. Stretching, yoga, or Tai Chi help some
             people.
        Take time to rest.
            Listen to your body. Rest when you feel tired.
            Try to take short naps that are 1 hour or less, during the day.
            Make a bedtime routine. Bathing or listening to music before you go to sleep may help you relax.
            Sleep at least 8 hours every night.
        What can I do before my hair falls out?
            Treat your hair gently.
    •        Wash it with mild shampoo. Pat it dry with a soft towel.
            Cut your hair short.
            Shave your head.
            Get a wig.
            What should I do after my hair falls out?
            Protect your head from the sun. Use sunscreen or wear a hat when you are outside.
            Protect your head from the cold. Wear a hat or scarf.
            Try wearing a soft scarf when you sleep.
        Take these steps to lower your chances of getting an infection:
            Wash your hands well.
    •        Always wash your hands:
    •        Before you cook or eat
    •        After you use the bathroom
    •        After being in a public place
            Wash your hands well with soap and water.

Have people around you wash their hands well, too.
        Use hand sanitizer when you can't find soap and water.
        Stay extra clean.
        Brush your teeth after meals and before you go to bed.

Use a very soft toothbrush.
        If you have a catheter, keep the area around it clean and dry.

Ask your nurse how to take care of this area.
        Try to stay away from germs.
•        Stay away from people who are sick or have a cold.

Try to stay away from big crowds if you can.
•        Wash raw fruits and vegetables.
•        Wash your hands carefully after you handle raw meat.

Cook meat well before eating it.
•        Try to stay away from people who have just had a chicken pox, polio, or measles vaccine.
•        Have someone else clean up after your pet.
        Try not to get cuts.
•        Use an electric shaver, not a razor.
•        Clean yourself well and gently after going to the bathroom.

Let your nurse know if your rectal area is sore or bleeds.
•        Don't squeeze pimples.
        Plan your day.
            Do things that need the most thinking at the time of day when you feel best.
            Get extra rest.
            Get help to remember things.
            Write down or tape record things you want to remember or writ important information on a calendar.
            Ask for help.
            Ask a friend or family member for extra help when you need it.
            Ask your nurse or social worker for help to keep track of medicines and clinic visits.
            If you are very confused, have someone stay with you. Don't stay home alone.
        Clean your mouth with care.
            Brush your teeth and tongue after each meal and before you go to bed. Use a very soft toothbrush.
            Use toothpaste or gel that has fluoride and baking soda in it.
            Rinse your mouth with a baking soda, salt, and water mix.
        Stay away from some foods.
            Eat less greasy, fried, salty, sweet, or spicy foods if you feel sick after eating them.
            If the smell of food bothers you, ask others to cook for you. Then let the food cool down before you eat it.
    Have enough to eat and drink.

        For minor skin problems:
            Be careful what you put on your skin.
    •        Use only mild soaps that are gentle on your skin.
    •        Use lotions and creams. Ask your nurse when to use them.
    •        Don't use products on your skin that have alcohol or perfume in them.
            Protect your skin from the sun.
    •        Try to stay out of the sun.
    •        When you are outside, always wear sunscreen and lip balm. Or wear a long-sleeved shirt, pants,
             and a hat with a wide brim outdoors.
•        Don't use tanning beds.
            Treat your skin gently.
    •        It may help to take short showers or baths in warm water. Don't take long baths in hot water. Pat
             your skin dry instead of rubbing it.
    •        Dusting your skin with cornstarch may help. Put it in the folds of your skin such as under your arms,
             behind your knees, and under your breasts.
    •        Shave less often, or stop shaving if your skin is sore.

        For minor nail problems:
            Keep your nails clean and cut short. Check with your nurse before you get a manicure.
            Wear gloves when you wash the dishes, work in the garden, or clean the house.
            Check with your nurse for products that can help your nails.

        Take these steps to prevent swelling:
            Get comfortable.
            Ask about special stockings.
            Wear loose clothing and shoes that are not too tight.
            Raise your feet.
    •        Raise your feet when you can. Sit or lie down and put your feet up on a stool. Or raise them with
             pillows.
        Try not to stand or walk too much at one time.
            Stay away from salt.
    •        Don't eat food such as chips, bacon, ham, or canned soups. These have a lot of salt (sodium) in
             them.
    •        Don't add salt or soy sauce to your food.
    •        Check the food label to see if the food has sodium in it. Ask your nurse how much salt or sodium
             you can have.
            Drink more liquids.
    •        Drink liquids such as water, soup, milkshakes, and cranberry juice. Add extra water to the juice.
    •        Ask your doctor or nurse how many cups of liquid you should drink each day. Most people need to
             drink at least 8 cups a day.
    •        Keep drinking liquids even if you have to go to the bathroom a lot. Liquids help your body to work
             well.
    •        Some liquids can make bladder problems worse.
    •        Talk with your doctor or nurse to learn what you should stop drinking or drink less of. These include:
    o        Drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, black tea, and soda.
    o        Drinks with alcohol, such as beer, wine, mixed drinks, and liquor.

Alternative Medicine
There is a significant progress using alternative medicine in this area.
If you want a referral of an expert alternative medicine practitioner in your
local area, please use our free referral service by calling our toll-free at
1-888-919-1188, or e-mail us to wei@weilab.com, or click the button
at the right to have us contact you.

Information gathered from the Mayo Clinic
Referral Service for Patients with Chemotherapy Side Effect
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