Cinco Vidas

So many cancer patients suffer from stomach upset that researchers have developed many medications to treat it—but there are also several natural solutions you can try.

Why is it that cancer treatments so commonly cause stomach upset? According to Dr. Harman at cancergrace.org, both cancer and the treatments for it can be factors in creating stomach problems. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting usually occur because the drugs stimulate a part of the brain that controls the vomiting response. Damage to the intestines from chemo can also stimulate that same response in the brain, and in the stomach. Other causes unique to cancer include: (more…)

We all experience dry skin from time to time, especially in the harsh winter months. Chemotherapy, however, is a professional thief, and skin moisture is it’s favorite prize. Drugs like 5-FU can cause extreme dry skin, and those who have it can suffer so much that they’re unable to sleep, sometimes experiencing intense itching and scratching that can lead to infection.

“It was as though a giant sponge swooped down and absorbed all the moisture from my skin,” says Pat, a breast-cancer survivor.

What are the signs? Dry skin appears rough and flaky, and can become cracked and peeled. (more…)