Description

Chemo brain is a common term that people with cancer use to describe the problems with thinking and memory that can occur during and after cancer treatment. Chemo brain can also be called chemo fog, cancer-related cognitive impairment or cognitive dysfunction.

Chemo brain is a widely used term, because this condition was first reported in people with chemotherapy treatments. But experts do not fully understand the causes of these concentration and memory changes. There are probably more than one cause.

No matter the cause, the chemo brain can be a difficult side effects of cancer and its treatment. Researchers are working to understand the changes in the memory that people with cancer.

Symptoms

Chemo brain symptoms and signs include changes in memory and thinking.

The symptoms of chemotherapy-related brain memory may include:

  • Problems to remember what we have said to the other.
  • Trouble remembering what you've seen, like images or word lists.
  • Problems remembering what has happened recently, so-called short-term memory problems.

The symptoms of chemotherapy-related brain thinking can include:

  • Difficulty finding the right words.
  • Problems in the learning of new skills.
  • Issues to do more than one thing at a time.
  • Mental Fog.
  • Short attention span.
  • Taking more time than usual to do routine tasks.

When to see a doctor

If you have problems with memory or thinking, to make an appointment with your health care professional. Keep a journal of your symptoms to help your health care professional knows how their memory problems affect your life.

Causes

There are many causes of the changes in memory and thinking in people with cancer. These chemo brain symptoms can be caused by the cancer, cancer treatment, treatment complications of cancer and other things.

Associated with the cancer, the causes may include:

Cancer

  • The stress of a cancer diagnosis, which can cause worry and distress. These can add to the problems with memory and thinking.
  • Chemical products, some types of cancer cause affecting memory.
  • Cancers that begin in the brain or spread to the brain can cause changes in thinking.

Treatments for cancer

  • Bone marrow transplant, also called stem cell transplantation.
  • Chemotherapy.
  • The hormone therapy.
  • Immunotherapy.
  • The radiation therapy.
  • Surgery.
  • The targeted therapy.

Complications of cancer treatment

  • Low levels of red blood cells or of hemoglobin needed to carry oxygen to the tissues of the body, called anemia.
  • Weakness and tiredness.
  • Infection.
  • The menopause or other hormonal changes caused by the treatment of cancer.
  • Sleep problems.
  • The pain due to cancer treatments.

Other causes

  • Some people may be more likely to get the chemotherapy of brain-based genetics.
  • Drugs for other cancer-related symptoms, such as pain medications.
  • Other medical conditions, such as diabetes, thyroid disease, depression, anxiety and not getting enough nutrients.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase the risk of chemo brain and memory changes in people with cancer include:

  • The brain cancer.
  • Cancer that spreads to the brain.
  • The higher doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
  • Radiation therapy to the brain.
  • Minors of age at the time of diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
  • Advanced age.

Complications

Some people with chemo brain has the thought and the memory of the changes that affect their ability to work. Most of the people with cancer can return to work, at least part-time. But some may find that the tasks take extra focus or time. Others may not be able to return to work.

If you have problems to concentrate on what you need to do your job, tell your health care professional. Your healthcare provider may send you to a specialist who can help you, as a occupational therapist. This person can help you to find ways to make it easier to do your job.

Rarely, people with chemo brain can't work. Ask your health care team, ask a social worker. This person can help you find programs that support people who are unable to work due to a health condition.

Diagnosis

There are No tests to diagnose the chemo brain. People with cancer who have these symptoms often score within normal ranges on tests of memory.

A health care professional makes a chemo brain diagnosis based on the symptoms. Your health care professional may suggest blood tests, brain scans or other tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms.

Treatment

Chemo brain, the treatment focuses on helping you deal with the symptoms. Often, cancer of the memory associated with changes in clear with time. Your health care team can help you to find a way to deal with their symptoms.

The management of the conditions that are in addition to problems with memory

Cancer and its treatment can lead to other diseases, such as anemia, depression, sleep problems, and early menopause. These can cause thinking and memory changes for the worse. The management of these other conditions may make it easier to cope with the symptoms of chemo brain.

The management of the chemo brain symptoms

Treatment of chemo brain often involves finding ways of dealing with the thought and the memory changes. This treatment can be called cognitive rehabilitation or cognitive remediation. It is often performed by a health care professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect memory. This health care professional is called a neuropsychologist.

Learn how to deal with the changes in memory may involve:

  • The brain training exercises. The memory and the thought of exercise can help your brain repair of broken links that you can add to chemo brain.
  • The follow-up of their memory problems. Knowing which adds to their memory problems and can show you ways of dealing with the situation. For example, do you have more difficulty to think about when you're hungry or tired? Perhaps you can plan to make the task difficult in the time of day when you feel your best.
  • Find ways to cope. Learning new ways to do the tasks can help you focus. For example, it can help to take notes or make an outline of what is read. Or a therapist can help you learn ways of speaking that will help you remember what you said.
  • Alleviate the stress. Stress can make the changes in the memory worse. And there are changes in the memory can be stressful. It can help to learn ways to relax. You can do the progressive muscle relaxation, in which tightens and relaxes the muscles of your entire body. Or you can learn to focus on what is around you, such as sights, smells and sounds. This is called attention. These practices can help you deal with the stress.

Medications

There are No drugs that are approved for the treatment of chemo brain. There may be drugs approved for other conditions that you and your health care team agreement could help.

Medications for people with chemo brain symptoms sometimes are:

  • Methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin, others). This medication is most often used for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, also called ADHD.
  • Donepezil (Aricept, Adlarity). This medication is most often used for Alzheimer's disease.
  • Modafinil (Provigil). This medication is most often used to sleep in conditions.
  • Memantine (Namenda). This medication is most often used for Alzheimer's disease. It can also help people who receive radiation therapy to the brain.

Lifestyle and home remedies

You can take steps to facilitate the chemo brain symptoms. For example, try:

To manage what can be in the home and in the workplace

If the noise is adding to its difficulty thinking, try to find a quiet place where you can focus. Try earplugs or noise-canceling headphones. Soft music can help drown out the noise.

Prepare for success

Before doing a task that needs your focus, take measures to make sure that you do your best. Eat so you won't be hungry. Choose a time of day when you are going to be more alert. Get a good night's sleep. Have a plan so that you know what you need to do to complete their task.

Stay organized

Use of calendars and planners to keep on task. Write down all your appointments and the things that you need to do. Organize your home and work space to facilitate the tasks.

Clear your mind of thoughts that distract

When these thoughts arise, write them down in your agenda. This can help you get out of your mind. And it can help you remember it later, if necessary.

Take breaks often

Divide tasks into smaller parts. Take a break every time you complete a party. Take a short break to help you to do later.

Exercise your brain

Try crossword puzzles, or games with numbers to exercise your brain. Take up a new hobby or learn a new skill, such as playing a musical instrument or speak a new language.

Exercise your body

Moderate exercise, such as walking, can help with the stress. You can also increase energy levels and improve mood. If you haven't been active lately, to obtain the approval of your health care team before starting the exercise.

Alternative medicine

The research has not demonstrated that any alternative treatments to prevent or cure chemotherapy brain. If you are interested in trying alternative treatments for their symptoms, discuss the pros and cons with your health care team.

Complementary and alternative treatments may help you cope with anxiety, which can add to thinking and memory problems in people with cancer.

Examples of treatments that may help include:

  • Art therapy.
  • Exercise.
  • Meditation.
  • Music therapy.
  • The relaxation exercises.
  • Spirituality.

Coping and support

Chemo brain symptoms can be difficult to cope with. With time, you will probably find ways to facilitate the approach. Until then, know that this is a common problem that is likely to improve with time. You may find it helpful to:

  • We know that the problems of memory happens to all over the world. Despite the fact that the usage of the best ways to deal with the changes in memory, you still forget things sometimes. Everyone does. There is not much you can do about the changes in memory associated with the cancer. But you can manage other causes of forgetting that are common to all. These include being very tired, distracted, or not organized.
  • Take time each day to relax. The stress can add to the memory problems. Do to ease the stress of each day's activities. You can exercise, listen to music, meditate, or write in a journal.
  • To tell others about their symptoms. Be open and honest with the people close to you about your chemo brain symptoms. Explain your symptoms. They also suggest ways in which friends and family can help. For example, you can ask a friend to remind them of the plans of telephone and e-mail.

Preparing for your appointment

If you are the treatment of cancer, talk with your cancer care team about your chemo brain symptoms. If you've finished the treatment, you could start by making an appointment with your primary health care provider. Your healthcare provider may send you to a specialist. This could be a health care professional who diagnoses and treats diseases that affect the memory, called a neuropsychologist.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

  • Keep a journal of your lapse of memory. Describe the times you have memory problems. Note what you were doing and what kind of problems you had. Note when you first noticed the symptoms.
  • List of all the medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are taking, including the dosage.
  • Have a family member or friend, or bring a tape recorder. Take someone with you or using a tape recorder can help you remember what you talk about with your health care professional.
  • Write questions to ask their health professional.

For the chemotherapy of brain, of the list of questions, such as:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • How long do the symptoms last?
  • What tests can show if my cancer treatment caused my symptoms?
  • What is the best treatment for the symptoms?
  • What can I do to help improve my memory?

Be sure to ask all the questions that you have.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care professional may ask you:

  • Do your symptoms come and go or stay with you?
  • How do your symptoms affect your daily life?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of Chemo brain