Chemobrain: What Is It & How Do I Cope?

What is Chemobrain?

Chemobrain, also known as "chemofog" is a condition associated with cancer treatment in which patients complain of impaired cognitive functioning. For a long time, many professionals didn't believe that chemobrain was a real condition, but more and more studies show that the condition is real. Doctors estimate that between twenty and thirty percent of cancer patients suffer from symptoms of chemobrain, while some argue that the figure is closer to fifty percent.

Symptoms of Chemobrain

Chemobrain is a form of mild cognitive impairment. Certain areas of learning and memory seem to be particularly affected:

• Short term memory. Poor short term memory is often the primary complaint.

• Concentration. Many patients have trouble concentrating and staying focused.
• Processing speed. Processing speed declines and once simple tasks take longer to complete.
• Decision making. Some patients have trouble making decisions.
• Multitasking. Many patients with chemobrain find that they have difficulty doing more than one thing at once.
• Word finding. Patients find themselves unable to recall the right words in a conversation.

People with chemobrain may experience all or some of these symptoms. Generally, symptoms abate after treatment, but in some individuals, they can last up to two years.

What Causes Chemobrain?

The causes of chemobrain are still poorly understood. Some researchers argue that it has nothing to do with chemotherapy at all, but rather is an effect of the cancer. Others say that the chemicals used for chemotherapy, once thought unable to cross the blood-brain barrier, do actually enter the brain and cause the symptoms of chemobrain.

What Alternative Factors Could Be Causing Cognitive Impairments?

Patients dealing with cancer are under a lot of stress. Their bodies are functioning poorly, and many things besides chemotherapy are going on in their lives. Stress can have a big impact on memory and concentration. It might be enough to account for the changes of chemobrain all on its own. Many cancer patients are also depressed, a known cause of cognitive impairments. Fatigue is a common symptom of cancer, making it difficult to focus. In addition, many of the medications used to treat cancer could be contributing to the problem. Several medications rely on hormonal manipulation to achieve their effects. Since hormones are intimately linked to brain function, such medications could cause cognitive impairments. Pain medications can dull the mind and make people fuzzy. Other common side-effects of cancer treatments include low blood counts and drowsiness, two factors that do nothing to help an already struggling mind.

How to Cope with Chemobrain

The good news is that for most people, the symptoms of chemobrain disappear relatively quickly. They can still be difficult to deal with at the time though. However, there are several things you can do to help you cope with chemobrain:

• Exercise. Exercise helps keep you alert and gives you energy during the day.
• Engage your mind. Train your brain by learning new skills, languages, games, etc. Games such as Sudoku, go, or chess also keep your brain involved.
• Use tools to help you remember. Develop a routine and stick with it, this will make you less likely to forget things. Make lists of important things to remember.
• Keep track of your problems. Keep a journal where you record your symptoms, when and in what context they happened, how often, etc. Use this when talking to your doctor to try to determine what might be contributing to your problems. If a certain medication may be causing trouble, explore other alternatives.
• Talk to others who have been through the same thing. A sympathetic ear can make it easier to go through a difficult experience. Join a support group, either in person or over the internet, to talk to other people who have lived through the same experience.

Living with chemobrain can be hard, but you'll get through it. Turn to your loved ones for comfort and support, and take heart in the fact that this is a passing phase.

Sources:

http://breastcancer.about.com/od/lifeduringtreatment/a/chemobrain_cope.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cancer-treatment/CA00044

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