--Apple-Mail-93EA1D98-0F70-4ADA-969B-22F7FD6D3B9B Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Maria Licoudis R.N Critical care nursing Palliative and Long Term Care Hospital and Home Care Medical Nursing Writing mariamalicoudis@gmail.com Begin forwarded message: > From: "ChloePerl ." > Date: June 8, 2015 at 7:51:27 PM GMT-4 > To: Maria Licoudis > Subject: article >=20 > Chemotherapy in the Elderly >=20 > =20 >=20 > Chemotherapy drugs are powerful and effectively kill cancer cells. At the= same time, they harm and kill healthy cells as well. There are multiple ch= emotherapy drugs, with side effects that vary from person to person, dependi= ng on the dosages and the treatment. Since cancer increases with age, it is= important for us as caregivers, to be familiar with the side effects and it= s complications, so we can better care for our clients. >=20 > =20 >=20 > Chemotherapy affects the circulatory system and harms RBCs and bone marrow= . Because red blood cells carry oxygen to tissues, anemia can occur with che= motherapeutic drugs, making our clients feel weak, lightheaded, cold, and pr= one to infection. >=20 > =20 >=20 > The immune system becomes depressed due to the chemotherapeutic drugs dest= roying white blood cells, which protect us and fight bacteria and viruses. M= ore common side effects include nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, difficulty ch= ewing and swallowing due to dry mouth, white-yellow coating of the tongue an= d mouth, metallic tastes in the mouth, constipation and/or diarrhea, loss of= appetite and weight loss. >=20 > =20 >=20 > Integumentary systems side effects include loss of hair, skin dryness, itc= hiness, nail brittleness and cracking and skin sun sensitivity. >=20 > =20 >=20 > Kidneys work harder, when chemotherapeutic drugs are given, to excrete the= medication, causing decreased urination, swelling of hands and feet, urinar= y frequency and burning, and potential kidney failure. >=20 > =20 >=20 > Bone mass loss can occur since calcium levels drop, and bone and spinal fr= actures can occur more readily even with minimal movement and mobility. >=20 > =20 >=20 > Chemo drugs also affect memory, concentration, which is referred to as =E2= =80=9Cchemofog=E2=80=9D. Tingling, weakness, and numbness can occur in all e= xtremities. Reflexes and motor capacity is slowed and delayed. >=20 > =20 >=20 > Dealing with chemotherapy and its side effects, as well as the unknown res= ults can cause fear, stress, anxiety and depression. >=20 > =20 >=20 > As care givers, we must be alert to all these and any other individual sid= e effects that may occur. Nausea and vomiting can be treated with antiemeti= cs, ginger supplementation, eating smaller amounts more often, and having ca= rbonated drinks available at all times. Hair loss usually causes distress t= o some, and the psychological impact can be great. Cancer support groups ca= n refer to wig stores or one can simply wear a cap or hat if they f