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.
open next page to continue reading….
