Chemo Brain Is Real:
Chemotherapy Causes Permanent Brain Damage
The reality of "chemo brain" has been established by researchers who have discovered clear evidence
that patients develop cognitive issues after undergoing chemotherapy.
The new studies reveal
that chemotherapy can lead to problems with focus and recall with a sense of "brain fog" being described
by many participants.
There have been many
theories of negative effects on the brain caused by chemotherapy, but this
study is the first to describe the scientific mechanisms that may explain how
it occurs.
The study conducted at the University of British Colombia in the Psychology and Physical Therapy Departments chose a test group of breast cancer survivors. The participants were asked to complete a series of tasks and their brain activity was recorded. The results showed the minds of people with chemo brain lack the ability for sustained focused thought.
Although many patients and healthcare workers use the terms "chemo brain" or "chemo fog," many doctors describe the condition as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or cognitive dysfunction.
The study conducted at the University of British Colombia in the Psychology and Physical Therapy Departments chose a test group of breast cancer survivors. The participants were asked to complete a series of tasks and their brain activity was recorded. The results showed the minds of people with chemo brain lack the ability for sustained focused thought.
Although many patients and healthcare workers use the terms "chemo brain" or "chemo fog," many doctors describe the condition as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or cognitive dysfunction.
Most people who are
experiencing the condition regardless of what it is called are able to do
everyday things. But there seems to be a noticeable decrease in ability to
perform as well as before they underwent chemotherapy.
Symptoms can include:
• Memory Loss or reduction in recall
• Hard time finding the right word for an object
• Trouble staying focused or on tasks
• Memory Loss or reduction in recall
• Hard time finding the right word for an object
• Trouble staying focused or on tasks
• Struggles with
wandering thoughts
• Challenges with multi-tasking
• Difficulty with simple mental maths
• Fatigue Chronic Fatigue due to Chemotherapy Cancer Treatment- Tiredness and lack of energy
• Difficulty keeping up with a conversation
• Confusion and/or Brain Fog
The statistics are not yet well established as to how many people have mild cognitive impairment after cancer treatment.
• Challenges with multi-tasking
• Difficulty with simple mental maths
• Fatigue Chronic Fatigue due to Chemotherapy Cancer Treatment- Tiredness and lack of energy
• Difficulty keeping up with a conversation
• Confusion and/or Brain Fog
The statistics are not yet well established as to how many people have mild cognitive impairment after cancer treatment.
One review surveyed
women with breast cancer and suggested the proportion of women with cognitive
impairment ranged between 17 out of every 100 (17%) and 50 out of every 100
(50%). More research and data is necessary to confirm how many chemotherapy patients have these problems.
Medical professionals and researchers do not know the direct cause of mild Cognitive Impairment.
Medical professionals and researchers do not know the direct cause of mild Cognitive Impairment.
Research however, points to
several factors, including:
- Chemotherapy
- Other cancer treatments
- Anxiety Depression and Migraine
- Fatigue
- Old age
- Depression and changes in Cytokines - Blood Proteins.
Chemotherapy effects
German researchers looked at women with breast cancer before, during and after chemotherapy.
Their research suggested that other unknown factors affect thought processes
before chemotherapy, but that chemotherapy may make these problems worse in
some women.
Research suggests that people who have mild cognitive impairment are also more likely to have depression, anxiety and fatigue. We don't know whether the causes of these are the same as the causes of cognitive impairment, or whether one leads to the other. One of the problems with testing for these issues is that tests do not always record the sort of issues that people have after being diagnosed with cancer. So people who are experiencing problems often have "normal" test scores.
A Dutch study researched women with breast cancer and contrasted cognitive challenges and the correlation between the different types of chemotherapy.
Research suggests that people who have mild cognitive impairment are also more likely to have depression, anxiety and fatigue. We don't know whether the causes of these are the same as the causes of cognitive impairment, or whether one leads to the other. One of the problems with testing for these issues is that tests do not always record the sort of issues that people have after being diagnosed with cancer. So people who are experiencing problems often have "normal" test scores.
A Dutch study researched women with breast cancer and contrasted cognitive challenges and the correlation between the different types of chemotherapy.
They looked at women before and after treatment and compared them with
women not having chemotherapy and women who didn't have breast cancer at all.
The results indicated that women treated with high-dose chemotherapy were more
likely to have cognitive impairment than those treated with standard-dose
treatment.
Researchers have also used MRI scans to see if the brain works differently in people who have had chemotherapy. Participants in the study were given a memory test. The test started with simple questions and became increasingly more difficult. While they were taking the test, they were given an MRI brain scan. The researchers could see an increase in the activity in the brain during the test in both the control group and those who had chemotherapy. There was measurably less activity in the people who'd had chemotherapy.
Kristin Campbell, an associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and leader of the research team, said:
Researchers have also used MRI scans to see if the brain works differently in people who have had chemotherapy. Participants in the study were given a memory test. The test started with simple questions and became increasingly more difficult. While they were taking the test, they were given an MRI brain scan. The researchers could see an increase in the activity in the brain during the test in both the control group and those who had chemotherapy. There was measurably less activity in the people who'd had chemotherapy.
Kristin Campbell, an associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and leader of the research team, said:
"Physicians now recognize that the effects of cancer treatment
persist long after its over and these effects can really impact a person's
life."
She also felt that these findings could help healthcare providers test
and measure the effects of chemotherapy on the brain.
Additional Note:
Anyone who is looking for a Natural, Botanical, Herbal Treatments and Remedies for Cancer, should have a very close look at our Treatment Treatment Remedies
Sources:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org
http://news.ubc.ca
http://www.naturalnews.com/049675_chemo_brain_chemotherapy_dangers_permanent_damage.html. Accessed: 15th. December 2015.
Additional Note:
Anyone who is looking for a Natural, Botanical, Herbal Treatments and Remedies for Cancer, should have a very close look at our Treatment Treatment Remedies
Sources:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org
http://news.ubc.ca
http://www.naturalnews.com/049675_chemo_brain_chemotherapy_dangers_permanent_damage.html. Accessed: 15th. December 2015.
NOTE: This article was originally written by Sandy J. Duncan, a NaturalNews
Staff Writer in May 2015.
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