During chemotherapy, drugs are used to kill cancer cells. This can happen by itself, or combined with other treatments. All types of cancers are not candidates for chemotherapy. It is worth talking to your doctor about other options.
Chemotherapy can have side effects. Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, decreased appetite, and decrease in red blood cell counts. Some drugs can also negatively impact the immune response, making it less effective against infections. Antibiotics may be necessary to reduce your chances of getting infected during chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy can be administered in cycles, usually over several weeks or even months. The drug is administered through a device placed in the arm or chest. It takes about an hour to complete the treatment. Talk to your doctor if you are worried about side effects.
Red blood cell and white blood cell counts may drop during chemotherapy. This can lead to fatigue and weakness as well as breathing problems. If your blood counts drop too low, you might need a transfusion.
Some chemotherapy drugs can make food taste metallic. There are also possible side effects such as dry mouth, inflamed gums and ulcers. Brushing your teeth gently can help to reduce these side effects. You might also want to avoid spicy foods and acidic food.
The peripheral nerves can also be affected by chemotherapy. Some people experience tingling and numbness in the feet and hands. After treatment, peripheral neuropathy often improves. However, this condition may be a symptom of other problems, so you need to talk with your doctor about any numbness or tingling you may be experiencing.
Your oncologist might monitor your long-term treatment effects. Regular blood tests are necessary to test your PSA levels or kidney function. These tests can be used to help your doctor assess whether chemotherapy is effective. If you experience severe side effects, you may be able to stop the treatment.
It can be difficult for patients to cope with side effects from chemotherapy. Your doctor and nurse will always direct you. It is important to share your concerns with loved ones and your healthcare team. They can help with side effects.
If you are struggling with side effects, you may need to arrange to have help at home and at work. You might need to arrange to get food and water. A head covering may be an option. Talk to your oncologist about how you can continue to get regular check-ups.
Talk to your doctor about possible bone marrow donation. This treatment is commonly used to treat bone-marrow cancers. Although it does not cure cancer, it can be used to control rheumatoid or lupus. It is safe to use during pregnancy.
FAQ
Why do we have to have medical systems?
People in developing nations often do not have access to basic health care. Many people who live in these areas are affected by infectious diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis, which can lead to premature death.
People in developed countries get routine checks and see their general practitioners for minor ailments. Yet, many people suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
What are the various types of insurance for health?
There are three types of insurance that cover health:
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Private health insurance covers most costs associated with your medical care. This type of insurance is often purchased directly from private companies, so you pay monthly premiums.
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While public insurance covers the majority cost of medical care there are restrictions and limitations. Public insurance does not cover preventive services, routine visits to doctors, hospitals and labs, Xray equipment, dental offices, prescription drugs or certain tests.
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The medical savings account (MSA) is used to help you save for future medical expenses. The funds are kept in a separate account. Many employers offer MSA programmes. These accounts are not subject to tax and accumulate interest at rates similar bank savings accounts.
What do you consider to be the most important public health issues of today?
Many people have problems with obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. These conditions lead to more deaths every year than AIDS or car crashes. In addition, poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking contribute to high blood pressure, stroke, asthma, arthritis, and other problems.
Statistics
- The health share of the Gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to continue its upward trend, reaching 19.9 percent of GDP by 2025. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Consuming over 10 percent of [3] (en.wikipedia.org)
- Healthcare Occupations PRINTER-FRIENDLY Employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 16 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 2.6 million new jobs. (bls.gov)
- For instance, Chinese hospital charges tend toward 50% for drugs, another major percentage for equipment, and a small percentage for healthcare professional fees. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Over the first twenty-five years of this transformation, government contributions to healthcare expenditures have dropped from 36% to 15%, with the burden of managing this decrease falling largely on patients. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
How To
What are the 4 Health Systems
The healthcare system is a complex network of organizations such as hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical companies, insurance providers, government agencies, public health officials, and many others.
The overall goal of this project was to create an infographic for people who want to understand what makes up the US health care system.
Here are some key points:
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Healthcare spending is $2 trillion annually, representing 17% of the GDP. That's almost twice the size of the entire defense budget!
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Medical inflation reached 6.6% in 2015, which is more than any other consumer group.
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Americans spend on average 9% of their income for health care.
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As of 2014 there were more than 300,000,000 Americans who weren't insured.
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Although the Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA), was passed into law, implementation has not been completed. There are still large gaps in coverage.
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A majority of Americans believe the ACA should be maintained.
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The United States spends more on healthcare than any other country.
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If every American had access to affordable healthcare, the total cost would decrease by $2.8 trillion annually.
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Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers pay 56% of healthcare expenses.
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There are three main reasons people don't get insurance: not being able or able to pay it ($25 billion), not having the time ($16.4 billion) and not knowing about it ($14.7 trillion).
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HMO (health care maintenance organization) is one type of plan. PPO (preferred provider organizational) is another.
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Private insurance covers the majority of services including doctors, dentists and prescriptions.
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Public programs provide hospitalization, inpatient surgery, nursing home care, long-term health care, and preventive services.
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Medicare is a federal program that provides health coverage to senior citizens. It covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities stays, and home care visits.
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Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that provides financial assistance for low-income individuals or families who earn too little to qualify for other benefits.