| You've undergone chemotherapy and are now a | | | | University of Rochester, "This is the first study that |
| cancer survivor. You find that you are physically and | | | | puts chemobrain on a sound scientific footing." |
| mentally exhausted. You are probably not too | | | | From the Science Daily, "Cancer survivors, take note. |
| surprised at that. After all, you went through a lot | | | | The mental fog and forgetfulness of "chemo brain" |
| during your battle with cancer. | | | | are no figment of your imagination." |
| You may be more concerned with the mental | | | | Now that we recognize that chemobrain is very real |
| deterioration than with the physical exhaustion. You | | | | medical condition, what can we do about it? Here are |
| may be constantly in a fog. You may have difficulty | | | | some suggestions: |
| concentrating, focusing and remembering things. You | | | | Establish routines. |
| may even start to think that you have Alzheimer's | | | | Use a daily planner |
| disease. I jokingly used to say, "I have chemobrain". I | | | | Exercise your brain. Read, get a hobby, do volunteer |
| don't know where I picked up that term but I | | | | work Take some courses. |
| thought it was a non-medical vernacular term. | | | | Get sufficient rest and sleep. |
| Did you know that chemobrain is a real medical | | | | Don't dwell on your chemobrain symptoms. |
| condition? A recent UCLA study shows that | | | | Talk to family, friends, and your healthcare team |
| chemotherapy causes changes to the brain's | | | | about your chemobrain |
| metabolism and blood. According to that study, | | | | Remember, you are not dim-witted or nuts; you |
| chemotherapy patients experience disrupted thought | | | | have a real side-effect to chemotherapy. |
| processes and confusion. | | | | Researchers are also looking at different medications |
| Hospitals and cancer organizations are unanimous in | | | | as possible treatments for chemobrain. |
| recognizing chemobrain as a very real medical | | | | After undergoing chemotherapy, you may not want |
| condition. Recently oncologist Dr Patricia Ganz | | | | a medicine to treat the side effects of another |
| received a grant from the National Cancer Institute | | | | medicine. Research suggests the following: |
| to conduct a five year study on chemobrain. | | | | Exercise. It's a known fact that exercise can improve |
| Researchers from New York's University of | | | | you mood, increase your energy and help your |
| Rochester found several types of key brain cells | | | | concentration. |
| were highly vulnerable to the drugs used in | | | | A healthy diet. |
| chemotherapy. According to Dr Mark Noble of the | | | | Certain vitamins and supplements. |