Chemo Brain: What Is It And How To Manage Its Symptoms?

While chemotherapy has proven to be quite effective in fighting cancer, it has several side effects. It is very common for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to have a cloudy mind both during and after treatment. There are several measures you can take to manage the symptoms.

New Delhi (India), February 20 : The author, Dr. Chimnaya Kumar Pani, Oncologist at Apollo 24|7, is a well-known medical oncologist in Bhubaneshwar. He is an expert in treating solid tumours, osteosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, haematolymphoid malignancy, giant cell tumour, and gastrointestinal cancers. As a cancer specialist, he has experience dealing with these conditions at different stages and grades.

Chemo brain is a term used to describe memory and thinking problems that occur after and during cancer treatment. Also referred to as cancer-related cognitive impairment, chemo fog, and cancer-related cognitive dysfunction, chemo brain is one of the most frustrating and concerning side effects of cancer and its treatment. It can considerably impact your everyday life and can even cause you to avoid activities that you used to enjoy. 

There are many symptoms and signs of chemo brain. These include:

Usually, these symptoms don’t last long. However, in some cases, they can lead to delayed or long-term mental changes. How long it lasts, how much it affects a person, and when it starts can be different for each patient. 

Most commonly associated with chemotherapy, chemo brain can also occur with other treatments like surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy. All of these treatments can lead to long-term, short-term, or delayed cognitive problems. There are certain things that can make you more susceptible to developing chemo brain or deteriorating brain function. These risk factors include: 

If you experience any cognitive problem, then it is highly advisable to see your doctor immediately. It’s possible that chemo might not even be the cause. Your doctor will figure out the underlying cause and recommend an effective treatment plan. To alleviate these mental challenges, it’s essential to address issues like increased anxiety, poor sleeping patterns, and vitamin deficiencies.

Even if your cognitive issues are caused by chemo, there are several measures you can take to manage the symptoms. You can seek the help of a professional neuropsychologist, who can provide you with a treatment plan to help you cope with the symptoms. These treatment plans can include the following: