Side effects from chemotherapy are a reality for most patients suffering from cancer. Although they are not dangerous, controlling the side effects from chemotherapy can help alleviate the symptoms which can be extremely inconvenient and annoying.

Here are some methods to control the side effects from chemotherapy:

• Constipation: Many patients suffer from constipation as a result of chemotherapy. However, you can have regular bowel movements if you increase the consumption of fluid, vegetables and bran cereals. This should start a day before you start your chemotherapy and continue thereafter for another week.
• Nausea and vomiting: This is caused by many chemotherapy drugs and you can get relief from it by taking certain medications. However, there are no tablets existing that can prevent nausea and vomiting. All you can look for is relief.
• Heart burn or acid reflux: You can stop this by giving 1/2 glass or milk or taking a spoon or two of antacid. However, let your doctor recommend the antacid for you.
• Mouth soreness: During chemotherapy oral hygiene is of utmost importance. You can use a special mouth rinse to ease the soreness but you cannot prevent it.
• Hair loss: This side effect varies from one person to the next based on the type of drug used and the doses used. You can either have hair loss or just thinning of the hair. There is no way of preventing this symptom other than stopping your treatment. The hair lost through chemotherapy will start re-growing once your treatment is over. But be prepared for it to take few months. Until then, you can use wigs, scarves, turbans or caps to cover your hair loss.
• Sensitivity to the sun: Some chemotherapy drugs cause this and the best solution is for you to use a complete sun blocking lotion so that you do not burn your skin when outside.



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