During chemotherapy, drugs are used to kill cancer cells. This can be done by itself, or in combination with other treatments. All types of cancers are not candidates for chemotherapy. Talk to your doctor about alternative treatments.
There are some risks to chemotherapy. Side effects include nausea, mouth sores and loss of appetite. Some drugs can also negatively impact the immune response, making it less effective against infections. In order to lower the risk of infection in chemotherapy, you might need antibiotics.
Chemotherapy usually takes place in cycles of several weeks to a few months. The drug is given by injecting the device into a vein at the chest or arm. The treatment takes approximately 1 hour. You can discuss side effects with your doctor or nurse if you have concerns.
Your red blood cell count and white blood blood cell count may decrease during chemotherapy. This can lead you to feel tired, weak and have breathing problems. A blood transfusion may be necessary if your blood count is too low.
Some chemotherapy drugs can make food taste metallic. Also, you may experience dry and itchy mouths, ulcers or inflamed gums. You can alleviate these side effects by brushing your teeth gently. It is possible to avoid spicy foods or acidic foods.
The peripheral nerves can also be affected by chemotherapy. Some people experience numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. Treatment usually results in peripheral neuropathy improving. However, this condition may be a symptom of other problems, so you need to talk with your doctor about any numbness or tingling you may be experiencing.
Your oncologist might monitor your long-term treatment effects. Regular blood tests are necessary to test your PSA levels or kidney function. These tests can be used to help your doctor assess whether chemotherapy is effective. You may be able stop chemotherapy if you have severe side effects.
Side effects of chemotherapy can be very difficult to manage. You should always follow the instructions of your doctor and nurse. Talk with family and friends about your concerns. They can assist you in dealing with side effects and may also be able suggest other therapies that might be more beneficial.
If you are struggling with side effects, you may need to arrange to have help at home and at work. You might need to arrange for food and water. It is also a good idea to cover your head with a scarf. You might also discuss with your oncologist the best ways to continue having regular check-ups.
Your doctor may be able to recommend a bone marrow donor. This is often used to treat cancers of the bone marrow. It is not a cure for cancer, but it can help control rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. It is safe for women who are pregnant.
FAQ
What does "public", in the context of public health, mean?
Public Health refers to the preservation and enhancement of the health status of the community. It is concerned with preventing diseases, injuries, and disabilities, as well as promoting healthy lifestyles; ensuring adequate nutrition; controlling communicable diseases, hazards to the environment, and behavioral risk.
What's the difference between a doctor, and a physician?
A doctor refers to a person who is licensed to practise medicine and has completed his/her training. A physician is a specialist in one type of medicine.
How can I get free health insurance in my area?
If you're eligible, you could apply for free coverage. You might be eligible for Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Tricare, VA benefits, Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB), military health plans, Indian Health Service (IHS) benefits, or some other program.
Statistics
- Price Increases, Aging Push Sector To 20 Percent Of Economy". (en.wikipedia.org)
- The healthcare sector is one of the largest and most complex in the U.S. economy, accounting for 18% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020.1 (investopedia.com)
- Foreign investment in hospitals—up to 70% ownership- has been encouraged as an incentive for privatization. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Over the first twenty-five years of this transformation, government contributions to healthcare expenditures have dropped from 36% to 15%, with the burden of managing this decrease falling largely on patients. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The health share of the Gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to continue its upward trend, reaching 19.9 percent of GDP by 2025. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
How To
What is the Healthcare Industry Value Chain
All activities that are involved in providing healthcare services for patients make up the healthcare industry value chain. This includes the business processes within hospitals and clinics and the supply chains that connect them to other providers such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, insurance companies, manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors. The final result is a continuum in care that begins with diagnosis, and ends with discharge.
The value chain consists of four major components.
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Business Processes: These are all the tasks performed by people throughout the entire delivery of healthcare. For example, a doctor may perform an exam and then prescribe medication. Each step of the process must be completed accurately and efficiently.
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Supply Chains: All the organizations involved in making certain that the right supplies reach all the people at the appropriate time. An average hospital has many suppliers. These include pharmacies, lab testing facilities and imaging centers.
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Networked Organisations - This is a way to coordinate all the entities. Hospitals often have several departments. Each one has its own phone number and office. Employees will be able to access a central point for information and updates in every department.
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Information Technology Systems – IT is crucial in order to ensure that business processes run smoothly. Without IT, things could quickly go sour. IT also provides a platform for integrating new technologies into the system. A secure network connection can be used by doctors to connect electronic medical records to their workflow.