Some chemotherapy patients seem to experience central nervous system degeneration and transient “cognitive changes” during and just after treatment.
What is chemo brain? Some patients have a brief period of difficulty concentrating, memory loss, slowed thinking, or vision problems during and just after treatment. What are the symptoms of chemo brain? Scientific studies have found that chemotherapy appears to induce central nervous system degeneration in some patients, but this may also be caused by treatment-related fatigue and anxiety. Some patients experience this condition as quickly as it comes and goes, but some patients develop longer-term changes. Often the changes are so subtle that people around the patient may not even notice the changes.
Most patients with “cognitive changes” may be able to do their usual things, but they may gradually develop the following symptoms.
1.Some things that used to be easy now become more difficult and often take longer to complete
2.Memory loss, often forgetting what to do or what to do
3.Inability to concentrate on one thing
4.Inability to have a complete conversation
5, often forget some small things that have been done, such as turning off the lights or locking the door
Causes of chemo brainChemo brain is not caused by a single factor, some of the known causes include
1.Cancer itself
2, chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy
3.Transplantation, side effects
4.Low blood cell count
5.Steroids, antiemetics, painkillers (especially opioids)
6.Anxiety, stress and depression caused by cancer and cancer-related treatments
Can chemo brain be prevented and treated? Chemo brain is actually not that serious and usually clears up after a while! If you are facing this situation, here are some tips.
1. Make a daily plan and “to-do” list and update it from time to time, which should not be difficult in the age of smartphones.
2. Do one thing at a time and complete only one task.
3, timely tell your family or friends your current situation, and seek help. Also, your doctor should know.
5.Buy a pill box, and make a list of the medications you need to take, and look over it before you eat.
6.Eat more vegetables, exercise regularly, and get enough rest and sleep.
7, keep your mind flexible, you can play more charades, sudoku, puzzles or learn a new language.