1. Nausea and Vomiting:

Nausea and vomiting are the side effects that commonly occur as a result of various cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Nausea and vomiting can be mild or severe.

Nausea is an uncomfortable feeling where the patient feels queasy or sick in the stomach. Whereas vomiting means throwing up the contents of the stomach (food or liquid).

Tips to Manage Nausea and Vomiting:

• Eating small meals throughout the day (5- 6 small meals and not three large meals)
• Sucking on hard candies flavored with peppermint or lemon to get rid of the foul taste in the mouth.
• Avoid skipping your meals.
• Drink plenty of water and increase your fluid intake to stay hydrated. Always sip them.
• Avoid eating foods that are difficult to digest, spicy, greasy, and have strong smells.
• Indulge in light snacks like crackers, cereals, breadsticks, and toast.
• Do not lie down immediately after eating.
• Consume foods and drinks that are at room temperature.
• Avoid high fragrances and odors like air fresheners and perfumes that might trigger nausea and vomiting.
• Get yourself some fresh air to relax.
• Wear clothes that are loose-fitted and comfortable.
• Try relaxing by listening to calming music, meditating, or taking a short relaxing walk.

If your nausea and vomiting persist and becomes severe, consult your doctor. Depending upon the severity of your condition, your healthcare provider might prescribe you anti-emetics.

2. Diarrhea:

Diarrhea occurs when there are frequent movements of bowels or stools that may be soft, watery, and loose. It is a common side effect of cancer or its treatment and can also be caused by infections, medications used to treat constipation, and antibiotics. In some cases, excessive diarrhea can cause severe dehydration. Diarrhea may be mild or severe.

Tips to Manage Diarrhea:

• Drink a lot of mild and clear liquids like water, ginger ale, broths, fruit and vegetable juices, and sports drinks.
• Avoid eating heavy, greasy, fried, high-fiber foods, raw fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, and spicy foods.
• Avoid consuming dairy products like milk and cheese. However, buttermilk and yogurt can be consumed
• Caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks must be avoided.
• Eat small meals that are not too heavy. Eat around 6 to 8 small meals instead of three large meals.
• Avoid consuming extremely hot fluids.
• Keep the area around the anus clean by washing it gently with warm water and a soft cloth.
• You can use a barrier cream to soothe skin irritation.

If diarrhea persists for a prolonged time, then seek medical attention immediately.

3. Constipation:

Constipation occurs when the moment of the stools or bowel becomes less frequent. In constipation, the stools become dry, hard, and difficult to pass. A person having constipation might also experience stomach cramps, bloating, and nausea. Chemotherapy, pain medications, dietary choices, not being active, and not hydrating enough are some causes of constipation

Tips to Manage Constipation:

• Drink plenty of fluids like water, juices, and warm or hot liquids.
• Avoid consuming foods and beverages that might cause gas, like cabbage, cauliflower, spicy foods, etc.
• Try to do some mild exercises or walk for some time.
• Eat fiber-rich food, like whole grains, cereals, and dried fruits

Inform your doctor before consuming high-fiber foods, as they should not be eaten by people having certain types of cancer. If constipation persists, seek medical help.

4. Hair loss:

Hair loss is a commonly occurring side effect of cancer treatment. Cancer treatment aims to attack cancer cells and destroy them. However, unfortunately, the other healthy growing cells also get attacked during the treatment process, including cells in the hair roots. Hair loss can occur all over the body and not only scalp.

Tips to Manage hair loss:

• Open up about how you feel to a counselor, doctor, family member, or friend.
• Connect with people going through the same and learn how they manage it.
• Stay strong and prepare yourself for hair loss, as it can cause immense stress because losing hair is not easy. You may also choose to shave your head or cut your hair short before starting the treatment.
• If you feel insecure or uncomfortable, you may cover your head with scarves and caps. You may also invest in wigs.
• Your scalp becomes sensitive during the treatment, so it is necessary to protect it from the sun by covering your head.
• You may also use a cooling cap to prevent hair loss. However, cooling caps might cause side effects like headaches, neck pain, and chills.
• Use gentle haircare products.
• Avoid using hair styling equipment like straighteners, curlers, and dryers.
• Comb your hair gently using a soft baby brush.
• Oil or moisturize when your scalp feels dry or flaky.
• Be patient; once the treatment is over, the hair may grow back slowly. However, newly grown hair may be slightly different in texture, color, thicker or fine, or new in color than before treatment.

5. Dry mouth or Xerostomia:

Cracked lips, sticky feeling in the mouth, and burning sensation in the mouth or tongue are some symptoms of dry mouth or Xerostomia. Radiation therapy for head and neck cancers and chemotherapy can cause dry mouth. A dry mouth can cause gum diseases, tooth decay, and infections if left untreated.

Tips to Manage Dry mouth or Xerostomia:

• Rinse your mouth frequently (probably every two hours) with water or the solution prescribed by your doctor.
• Take small bites of your food and chew it properly.
• Drink plenty of liquids as this will aid in thinning of the mucus.
• Keep sipping on water throughout the day.
• Have liquids while eating to moisten your food and for easy swallowing
• Eat sugarless hard candies or chewing gums. You can also have ice chips.
• Avoid eating hot and spicy foods.
• Add gravies or sauces to moisten the food.
• Avoid consuming caffeine, alcoholic beverages like beer and wine, carbonated drinks, and tobacco, as they may worsen your dry mouth.
• Avoid consuming citrus-rich foods like oranges, tomatoes, and grapefruits.
• Avoid eating dry, hard, and coarse foods.
• Avoid consumption of sugary foods as they can cause tooth decay.
• Brush twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush. It is better if you brush your teeth after every meal to prevent tooth decay.
• Avoid using mouthwashes containing alcohol.
• Apply a lip balm or chapstick to moisturize your lips.

6. Mouth Sores (Mucositis):

Tiny cuts, ulcers and tender gums are symptoms of mouth sores, that are usually caused as a side effect of chemotherapy or radiation therapy for head and neck cancers.

Tips to manage mouth sores:

• Eat foods that are soft and easy to chew.
• You can puree the food.
• Drink using a straw to aid you in swallowing the liquid without hurting the painful parts.
• Suck on ice chips or popsicles.
• Eat food that is of room temperature or cold.
• Avoid consuming citrus rich foods, spicy foods, curries, pickles, salty foods, raw vegetables and sauces.
• Do not eat hard and crunchy foods.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• Rinse your mouth couple of times a day.
• Avoid using mouthwashes containing alcohol.

7. Pain:

Cancer and its treatment side effects can both cause pain. The pain might be acute or severe and constant.

Tips to manage pain:

• Try relaxation techniques to reduce stress and manage pain.
• You can try breathing and meditation to ease and cope with the pain.
• You can use techniques like distraction and visual imagery to reduce pain.
• Apply hot and cold compresses like heating pads.
• You can also get complimentary therapies like massage, hypnosis, biofeedback, physical therapy, nutritional therapy, and occupational therapy from a specialist.
• You can also consult your doctor to prescribe you medications for pain relief.

8. Sleep problems (Insomnia):

Many patients undergoing cancer treatment have trouble sleeping. This condition is called insomnia.

Tips to manage sleep problems/ insomnia:

• Identify the cause behind not being able to sleep.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about your sleeping issues.
• Practice relaxation techniques like listening to soothing music, mental imagery, deep breathing, or reading a book.
• Avoid eating heavy meals before going to bed.
• Avoid napping during the day, as it will hinder your sleep at night.
• Avoid smoking and consuming caffeine at least 6 to 8 hours before bedtime.
• Consume warm drinks like decaf tea or milk before going to bed.
• Have a proper sleep schedule and follow it every day.
• Avoid using phones and watching tv in bed.
• You can exercise regularly. However, do not exercise right before your time to sleep.
• If you are a caregiver, then keep the lights off, and maintain a quiet environment in the patient’s room. Give the patient a gentle foot massage before they sleep.

9. Loss of appetite:

The lack of urge to eat anything is called as loss of appetite. Nausea and vomiting might make you lose your appetite. It is a common side effect of cancer and its treatment.

Tips to manage the loss of appetite:

• Eat about 5 or 7 small meals throughout the day, instead of three large meals.
• Try munching on healthy snacks like granola bars, nuts, dried fruits, and crackers.
• Avoid consuming liquids with meals or take small sips only while eating.
• Consume more proteins like eggs, fish, peanut butter, yogurt, and nuts.
• Do not eat sugar-based foods or junk foods like chips and sodas.
• Consume nutritious drinks like milkshakes and smoothies
• Do mild exercises or simple walking an hour before you eat.

10. Infertility issues:

Infertility is usually a major cause of concern in men and women undergoing cancer treatment. chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery are some treatments that can cause infertility.

Tips to manage infertility issues:

• Talk to your healthcare provider about any fertility concerns you have before starting your cancer treatment.
• You can seek help from a counsellor if you have concerns about not being able to have biological children.
• If you are a man, the you can opt for sperm collection and banking before treatment.
• If you are a woman, there is a possibility that you might conceive naturally.
• If you are a woman, then you can go for cryopreservation (freezing embryos or eggs).