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Chemotherapy Side Effects: 8 Home Remedies to Support Your Recovery
By Raveena M Prakash
Chemotherapy has been the most effective treatment to fight cancer. It is an intense process, including drugs and powerful chemicals that destroy cancer cells, control their rapid growth, and prevent tumour growth. While this procedure is life-saving, it also has some adverse effects on patients. Thus, at Oncare, we believe in the thoughtful integration of natural strategies to help patients manage their chemotherapy side effects.
This article will help you learn about common side effects and explore some natural ways that can help reduce chemotherapy-related side effects.
Chemotherapy and Its Common Side Effects
In chemotherapy, a patient’s body goes through multiple stages and is treated with various types of drugs. These drugs often disturb the healthy cells of the body and cause prominent side effects. These side effects are visible in most cancer patients after chemotherapy. Let’s check on some significant side effects below.
Fatigue and Loss of Appetite
Fatigue and loss of appetite are the most prevalent side effects of chemotherapy. A patient may feel constant tiredness and lack of physical activity after treatment. They often experience a lack of energy to do any simple work. When a patient undergoes chemotherapy, the body uses a lot of energy to repair the damaged cells, and the creation of red blood cells is affected. Hence, managing fatigue becomes important for improved metabolism. Chemotherapy can also affect the taste buds, making the patient feel less hungry. It can be due to a change in the taste of food or sensitivity to the smells of food. For some people, the food may taste bland or bitter, making it unpleasant to eat. Including flavourful foods can increase the desire to eat and improve eating habits after chemotherapy.
Nausea and Vomiting
As many chemicals are infused during chemotherapy, they can trigger the gastrointestinal area and cause discomfort. The patient may feel uneasy and want to throw up more frequently. Nausea and vomiting usually last up to 2 to 3 days after treatment, but for some patients, it can extend up to a week or so.
Hair Loss
Another visible side effect of chemotherapy is excessive hair loss in patients. Because of the damaged hair follicles, the growth of new hair follicles is blocked, and it might take longer for the hair to grow.
Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are some cognitive signs of side effects, as drugs used in chemotherapy can alter certain brain cells and mental functioning. As for most patients, the fear of treatment outcome, side effects, and the stress of a prolonged procedure can be overwhelming. These psychological complications lead to frequent mood swings and restlessness in patients after Chemotherapy. At Oncare, we have a team of oncologists who specialise in providing mental support by creating a safe space while you navigate through the side effects of chemotherapy.
Changes in Bowel Habits
A patient may feel an increase in irregular functionality of the digestive system post-chemotherapy. There are some drugs that can directly impact the inner walls of the intestines. This often causes changes in bowel habits in patients. Most patients suffer from diarrhea and constipation, which are significant side effects. During constipation, the movement of the bowels is slowed down, and the patient may have difficulty passing the stool. On the contrary, diarrhea leads to more frequent watery stools, which could deplete the energy of the patient and cause dehydration. Drinking plenty of water and taking laxative medications to soften the stool can be helpful. You can seek medical assistance from Oncare to avoid further irregularities in bowel habits.
Mouth Sore
Mucositis or mouth sores are a common complication of chemotherapy. Sores mostly form on the inside of the mouth, tongue, or lips and cause inflammation. For patients, chewing and swallowing food or even drinking water or any other fluid becomes difficult. It is painful and causes discomfort. You can rinse your mouth frequently to lessen the burning sensation. In case of excessive mouth sores and pain, see a dentist or consult our cancer specialist team for better treatment.
Natural Ways to Comfort Chemotherapy Side Effects
While your body heals from the chemotherapy process, including some natural ways to reduce the side effects is mostly effective. You may be taking medications and following routine checkups, but there are remedies that you can use to treat the side effects.
Here are some natural ways, as suggested by our experts at Oncare, to help reduce the complications of chemotherapy.
Nutrient-Rich Diet and Hydration
Treatment-side effect patients must consume nutritionally balanced foods to recover properly from their symptoms. Your metabolism gets better with the intake of protein-rich foods and those containing high amounts of fibre. Lean meats alongside fish and eggs, together with legumes, present nutrients that lead to sufficient nutrient intake alongside calorie consumption to enhance your immune system during therapy recovery. Patients can add lentils to their diet alongside whole grains and nuts, and flaxseeds to benefit from nutritious dietary components easily. By following a diet that combines different vegetables and citrus foods, you can help your body withstand treatment side effects, so you experience fewer additional health complications.
Medicinal Herbs
Research shows that many medicinal herbs possess properties to reduce chemotherapy-related discomfort, although such discomfort often requires pharmaceutical management. The herbs provide safety in addition to their effectiveness during use. The therapeutic properties of these herbs include antioxidant functions and anti-inflammatory effects, which work naturally to treat multiple chemotherapy side effects.
Ginger
The natural herb ginger provides effective relief against chemotherapy-induced nausea as well as vomiting symptoms. This herbal remedy has elements that work as antiemetic compounds that alleviate both muscle discomfort and oral ulceration in cancer patients. The medicinal herb provides relief for the persistent exhaustion that constitutes the major side effect of cancer treatment.
Turmeric
Turmeric offers various health advantages to patients who experience cancer treatment side effects after their therapy has ended. Turmeric functions beyond its main household role as it includes anti-oxidative components and anti-inflammatory capability, which makes curcumin its key effective compound to manage different chemotherapeutic complications. Turmeric helps patients achieve fast wound healing through its ability to lessen pain and irritation, which develops from oral mucositis. Using turmeric mouthwash will help reduce mouth sore inflammation while minimising future occurrences of this condition.
Peppermint
Peppermint displays active agents, which include menthol, that create a soothing and cooling sensation. The treatment utilising curcumin can decrease the pain and burn experiences that result from Chemotherapy medications. It can be used as an afterwash solution because it fights mouth odour and also helps to increase your appetite.
Ginseng
The herb Ginseng provides efficient treatment of chemotherapy side effects that include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and gastrointestinal toxicities. The medicament provides anticancer compounds that strengthen metabolic processes while enhancing immune response. Patients experience diminished severe inflammation and lower tumour growth probabilities when using ginseng medicine. The treatment rebuilds cells that have been destroyed due to therapy and enhances hair follicle strength, and helps hair grow after chemotherapy is completed.
Honey
According to researchers, honey is effective at cutting down mouth sores, helping in the weight loss process, and managing the pain caused by chemotherapy. You can treat mouth ulcers and stop them from getting worse by using honey to rinse your mouth. Another benefit of consuming honey is that it is an energy source that adds fuel to your entire system.
Aromatherapy and Massage Therapy
Your physical and mental well-being are both essential for coping with the side effects of chemotherapy. Aromatherapy and massage therapy are good options to assist in stress release and for session relaxation, as you have experienced it many times during your treatments. Lavender and chamomile oils are used to promote relaxation and are also carriers of quelling other issues, such as nausea and stress. In addition to that, massage therapy could work as an immune system booster, minimise the feeling of anxiety, and even improve your sleep. Most importantly, it will be a source of comfort as your system gets back to its former self.
Consult Today
Chemotherapy is a successful process of treatment for cancer, but it has side effects that impact the overall health of patients. So, from now on, choosing natural treatments and considering herbal medicines, you can reduce complications and live a healthy life. At Oncare, we offer valuable patient-centric approaches that support individuals dealing with chemotherapy side effects. Focusing on your safety and well-being, our oncologists are dedicated to assisting you with effective remedies and expert guidance, ensuring you avoid potential risks and have a comforting healing journey from cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can usually start natural therapies within 24-48 hours following chemotherapy, provided your oncologist allows you to do so. Be sure the remedies don’t conflict with your prescribed medications. You can start gently by having water and mild herbal teas if you feel called to them. These can also make you feel better because herbal teas usually facilitate light aromatherapy. Alternative therapies can also be opted for; however, talk to your oncologist before taking any new herbs, ingredients, or natural substances to prevent any adverse interactions in your treatment.
Potential remedies to combat fatigue naturally include small amounts of ginseng, a diet rich in good-quality protein, light exercises such as walking or yoga, and stress-management approaches such as meditation or massage. Drinking water can also help, along with maintaining a regular pattern of sleep. These methods elevate energy, circulation, and mood, making them good secondary means for coping with fatigue in the recovery period of chemotherapy.
Yes, eating antioxidant-rich foods (berries, citrus fruits, dark-green vegetables), taking probiotics, and also using more traditional herbs, such as turmeric and astragalus (if it’s OKAY with your oncologist), are natural immunity boosters. Try to boost your immune function with adequate hydration, rest, proper diet, and mild exercise. You can customize a specific diet and lifestyle that can strengthen your immunity effectively, even during your chemo treatment, thus protecting you better from infections and helping you recover faster.
Yes. Studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can help ameliorate a number of chemo side effects, including nausea, fatigue, neuropathy, and anxiety. It operates by stimulating nerves and enhancing the flow of energy to alleviate pain. Generally safe when done by licensed professionals, you should consult your oncologist prior to a visit. A growing number of cancer centres are incorporating acupuncture into comprehensive cancer care to relieve symptoms.
A natural chemotherapy remedy is safe and effective if it’s evidence-based, approved by health care providers, and doesn’t interfere with your treatment. Seek treatments with clinical studies behind them or ones that are supported by your oncology team. Steer clear of products with unproven claims or ingredients that aren’t monitored by health officials. Before experimenting with any natural remedy during chemotherapy, always speak with your oncologist, naturopath, and/or physician to avoid negative interactions and side effects.