Six ways to stay strong during chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is one of the most common cancer treatments and involves using strong chemicals to attack fast-growing cancer cells and prevent tumor growth. However, this powerful treatment can also produce negative side effects, such as hair loss, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, swelling and digestive problems. But did you know that there are ways to combat the negative side effects and keep your mind and body strong during treatment?

Here are six ways to keep your body healthy during chemotherapy treatment:

1. Boost your nutrition. Eating a healthy diet helps you deal with side effects and fight infections. If you experience nausea, lack of appetite or other eating problems, discuss solutions with your doctor or nurse navigator.
2. Stay well hydrated. Chemotherapy can be dehydrating. Drinking plenty of water before and after treatment helps your body process chemotherapy medications and flush the excess out of your system.
3. Tackle physical changes.
   • If your hair starts falling out, and it makes you self-conscious, shop for a wig or buy a few stylish hats to keep your head warm. There is no need to feel self-conscious, but we have resources to help if you do. Ask your nurse navigator or oncology infusion center nurse for information about community and/or national resources for wigs or headwear.
   • Minimize mouth sores by brushing your teeth with a soft toothbrush after every meal and rinsing your mouth several times daily. However, avoid mouthwashes containing alcohol, as these may be irritating.
   • Soothe dry skin with body lotion and lip balm.
4. Avoid germs. Because chemotherapy affects normal cells as well as abnormal ones, your immune system becomes weakened. Here are tips to avoid to avoid germs and viruses:
   • Wash your hands frequently and keep them away from your face.
   • Avoid crowds.
   • Only consume well-washed fresh foods and fully cooked meats.
5. Keep exercising. Physical activity — even as little as three 10-minute walks a day — can improve your appetite and emotional state. Ask your doctor what’s safe for you.
6. Get your R&R. Make time for rest and relaxation. On the days after treatment, enjoy restful, relaxing activities while your body recovers. To combat fatigue, get seven or eight hours of sleep each night and maintain consistent sleep-wake times.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, please know that high-quality, compassionate care is not far away. Since 1993, Methodist Healthcare has been one of the country's most trusted providers of adult and pediatric cancer programs. Our highly-skilled, compassionate providers support patients and their families throughout their cancer journeys — from diagnosis through treatment and survivorship. Our commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-focused care has been recognized nationally with accreditations from The Commission on Cancer, The Joint Commission, the American College of Radiology and more. Learn more about Methodist Healthcare’s oncology programs in San Antonio, Texas.

Methodist Healthcare is part of Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare. Our family of hospitals provides comprehensive cancer services with convenient access to cutting-edge therapies for people facing cancer in our communities. If you have questions about how to stay healthy during treatment, call askSARAH at (210) 597-0941 to speak to a nurse who is specially trained to help with your cancer questions.

This blog was originally published on SarahCannon.com.