If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer and are beginning a course of chemotherapy, you may be wondering what to expect, as well as how to counter some of the common side effects. In this guide, you’ll find a few useful tips that might help.
1: Reduce Stress, Get Enough Sleep
It’s well known that stress and fatigue can worsen physical symptoms and interfere with the effectiveness of treatment. It’s therefore recommended to reduce stress and get plenty of sleep (at least 7 hours a day). Stress reduction can include meditation, yoga, massage therapy, or other types of relaxation techniques. In addition, you should have support from family and friends. If you are emotionally overwhelmed, try to seek some sort of counseling.
2: Drink Plenty of Water
Although not always pleasant, drinking lots of water is one of the best ways to keep your body hydrated during chemotherapy treatment. This will help prevent many side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. It will also prevent bladder and kidney infections.
3: Eat Healthily
Chemotherapy can cause an upset stomach, so it’s recommended to eat small, frequent meals throughout the day. Make sure the foods you eat are high in fiber to help maintain healthy bowel movements. Foods such as rice, potatoes, and pasta should be eaten in moderation because they contain high levels of starch. If you’re having trouble eating solid foods, try drinking specially formulated nutrients or protein drinks that will give you all the vitamins and minerals your body needs.
4: Get Plenty of Rest
If you have an exhausting day ahead of you, such as when you’re visiting an oncologist Newport Beach center, it’s best to get plenty of rest beforehand so your body can be as strong as possible to fight off any possible side effects.