Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

During chemotherapy, an oral temperature of 38.3 °C or 101.0 °F once, or 38.0 °C or 100.4 °F for more than one hour, is an emergency; contact your oncology team immediately or go to the emergency department. Even without fever, urgent signs like shaking chills, trouble breathing or chest pain, confusion or fainting, a very fast heart rate or low blood pressure, severe abdominal symptoms or vomiting, painful urination, or redness around a port or catheter need immediate care. There are several factors to consider, so see the complete details below.

You can go out during chemotherapy, but there are several factors to consider, including your specific regimen, current blood counts, other health conditions, and local infection rates. Plan outings for safer windows when counts have recovered, favor outdoor or uncrowded activities, practice hand hygiene and indoor masking, and call your oncology team promptly for fever or new symptoms; see below for key details on timing, lower risk options, vaccinations, red flags, and when to postpone plans.

It usually begins 2 to 4 weeks after the first chemotherapy infusion, often accelerates after the second or third treatment, peaks around weeks 4 to 6, and regrowth typically starts 3 to 6 months after finishing therapy. There are several factors to consider, including the drug type and dose, treatment schedule, individual differences, and preventive options like scalp cooling. See below for important details that can affect your next steps, such as how to prepare, ways to reduce shedding, and when to contact your care team.

There are several proven ways to reduce vein pain during chemotherapy infusions. Options include lidocaine pretreatment or topical numbing, warm compresses and good hydration, slower infusion rates or dilution, careful vein selection and secure IV placement, relaxation and distraction, oncologist-approved pain relievers, and considering a port or PICC. There are several factors to consider, and it is vital to recognize red flags like persistent burning pain, swelling, redness or blistering, numbness, fever, or signs of infection; see below for complete details and which next steps to take with your oncology team.

Yes, it is generally okay to eat when you feel nauseated during chemotherapy, but there are several factors to consider; small, frequent, bland or cool foods plus steady sips of fluids and taking prescribed anti-nausea medicines can make eating more tolerable, and timing meals around your worst nausea can help. If vomiting is severe, start with clear liquids, advance to soft foods, and reintroduce solids slowly, and call your care team for uncontrolled vomiting, dehydration signs, or notable weight loss; see below for important details on specific foods, hydration strategies, ginger and other aids, when to pause solids, and exactly when to seek medical help.

Serious chemo side effects needing immediate ER care include fever in neutropenia, chest pain, severe shortness of breath, sudden confusion or seizures, uncontrolled bleeding, signs of anaphylaxis, or severe dehydration. There are several factors to consider; key red flags and what to do next are outlined below. Call your oncology team today for fever of 100.4 F or higher without known neutropenia, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, severe pain not controlled by medication, infection signs at lines or with urination or cough, or symptoms of low blood counts; milder issues like mild nausea, fatigue, mouth sores, skin changes, and mild neuropathy can often be managed at home while monitoring. Important thresholds, system-specific tips, and when to escalate care are explained below.

Loss of appetite during chemotherapy is common and manageable with small, frequent, nutrient-dense meals, cold or room-temperature foods if smells trigger nausea, flavor adjustments for taste changes, and steady hydration. If eating remains difficult, your care team can use anti-nausea medicines, appetite stimulants like megestrol or dronabinol, and oncology dietitian support, and you should seek prompt care for rapid weight loss, dehydration, or persistent vomiting. There are several factors to consider. See important details below to guide your next steps.

A drop in white blood cells during chemotherapy raises infection risk; seek help promptly for any fever of 100.4°F or higher, chills, new cough or breathing trouble, mouth sores, burning with urination, red or warm skin, or persistent vomiting or diarrhea. There are several prevention and treatment steps to consider, including strict hand hygiene, avoiding crowds and risky foods, and care-team options like growth factor shots, antibiotics, or chemo schedule changes; febrile neutropenia can be an emergency, so see below for important details that can guide your next steps.

Arm pain after chemotherapy is common, often from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, catheter or port problems like infection or clots, lymphedema, or musculoskeletal strain, but seek urgent care for red flags such as fever, sudden one-sided swelling, rapidly worsening pain or numbness, chest pain, shortness of breath, or new weakness. There are several factors to consider. See below for how to recognize the likely cause, home care that can help, and the exact signs that mean you should contact your oncology team or go to urgent care.

Hair often starts to fall out 1 to 3 weeks after chemo begins, so plan before your first infusion by talking with your care team about your regimen and scalp-cooling options. Consider a shorter cut, gentle hair and scalp care, sun protection, and arranging wigs or soft head coverings plus emotional support; below you will find step-by-step guidance, cost and insurance tips, fabric and product recommendations, and specific signs that mean you should call your doctor.

Severe pain during chemotherapy does not automatically mean you need to stop; many patients continue treatment with dose adjustments, drug switches, and targeted pain control based on the pain type, severity, and treatment goals. There are several factors to consider. See below for detailed options, red flags that need urgent care, and step by step guidance to decide whether to adjust, delay, or continue treatment safely with your care team.

There are several factors to consider: most people do best with a balanced plan that combines gentle, regular activity with adequate rest, set with your oncology team, and you should pause and prioritize rest if you develop red flags like fever, chest pain, severe shortness of breath, heavy bleeding, or low blood counts. See below for specific safe exercise targets, when to rest, and practical tips on sleep, nutrition, stress, and energy conservation that could influence your next steps.

Feeling exhausted but unable to sleep during chemotherapy is common and usually stems from a mix of circadian rhythm disruption, inflammation, steroids or other meds, physical side effects like pain or hot flashes, and stress, anxiety or depression. There are several factors to consider and targeted steps that can help, from sleep routine changes, morning light and gentle activity to medication timing, CBT-I and safe short-term aids like melatonin, plus red flags that need urgent care; see the complete guidance below to understand what applies to you and which next steps to take with your oncology team.

Call your oncology team right away if vomiting is persistent or worsening, such as more than 3 to 4 episodes in 24 hours despite antiemetics, if you cannot keep fluids down, or if you notice red flags like signs of dehydration, blood or coffee‑ground material in vomit, severe belly pain, fever 100.4°F or higher, confusion, chest pain, or trouble breathing. There are several factors to consider; see below for exact thresholds, what to report when you call, and how your team may adjust medicines or provide IV fluids. Seek emergency care or call 911 for loss of consciousness, seizures, severe chest pain or shortness of breath, or inability to keep any fluids down for 24 hours with fainting or a racing heartbeat. More important details that could affect your next steps, including prevention strategies and when urgent treatment is needed, are provided below.

A CV port is typically recommended for long-term therapy beyond 4 to 6 months, frequent or weekly infusions, vesicant chemotherapy, difficult veins, regular blood draws, high-dose chemo or stem cell transplant, or long-term TPN. There are several factors to consider. Active infection, severe bleeding risk, very short-term therapy, or certain anatomy may make other access better, and conditions like cirrhosis require careful risk assessment. See the complete details below to understand benefits, risks, and how to decide with your oncology team.

Urgent chemo side effects to never ignore include fever 100.4°F or higher or chills, any signs of infection, unusual bleeding or bruising, chest pain, new shortness of breath or palpitations, severe or uncontrolled pain, persistent vomiting or dehydration, severe diarrhea or constipation, jaundice or dark urine, new numbness or weakness, allergic reactions, and sudden confusion. There are several factors to consider. See below for the complete list of red flags, what to watch for, and exactly when to call your oncology team or go to the emergency department so you can choose the right next steps.

A chemotherapy plan may change to better balance safety and effectiveness when side effects are severe, liver or kidney function is reduced, or scans and tumor markers show limited response or progression. Changes can also follow drug interactions, other health conditions, personal goals, or new evidence such as biomarker results; this does not mean failure and may involve dose adjustments, different drugs, or clinical trials. There are several factors to consider. See below for details that can shape the questions you ask, what monitoring to expect, and when to contact your care team about next steps.

Chemotherapy can cause vein pain because certain drugs irritate and injure the vein lining, especially if they are vesicants or infused quickly or in high concentration, leading to inflammation, burning, and sometimes clots. There are several factors to consider, including who is at higher risk and prevention steps like ports, slower diluted infusions, hydration, and when to call your team; see below for details that could change your next steps.

For most people, hair grows back after chemotherapy, with fine regrowth often starting 4 to 6 weeks after treatment, more noticeable growth by 2 to 3 months, and fuller return over 6 to 12 months, sometimes with temporary changes in texture or color. There are several factors to consider, including your specific chemo regimen, the option of scalp cooling to reduce hair loss, nutrition and gentle scalp care, and when to seek medical advice if regrowth is patchy or delayed beyond 6 to 9 months; see the complete details below.

In most cases, reporting side effects will not stop your chemotherapy; it helps your team tailor doses, timing, and supportive medicines so you can stay on treatment safely. There are several important factors to consider, including which symptoms require urgent contact, so see below for details that could influence your next steps. Early, honest reporting can prevent complications and protect vital organs, and if needed usually results in temporary dose changes or brief delays rather than cancellation; for specific red flags and practical reporting tips, see below.

There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to keep working or do housework during chemotherapy, including your side effects, energy and concentration, job demands or task intensity, infection risk, and the support and accommodations available. Light activity in short blocks can help if you listen to your body and know when to rest or call your care team, and the details below cover pacing strategies, workplace options, safety and infection precautions, and red flags that could change your next steps.

Aleve works by blocking prostaglandins to relieve pain and fever, but safe use means sticking to label dosing and short-term duration while watching for stomach bleeding, kidney problems, blood pressure or heart issues, rare liver injury, and interactions with anticoagulants, SSRIs, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, lithium, and methotrexate. There are several factors to consider, including age, prior ulcers, pregnancy or breastfeeding, kidney or heart disease, alcohol use, and symptoms that persist; see the complete details below for exact dosing limits, who may need added protection or should avoid Aleve, and urgent warning signs that could change your next steps.

Yes, they can be effective if you reach the same daily dose as powder; bioavailability appears similar and the chewable format boosts convenience and adherence. Key considerations include how many gummies you need to hit 3 to 5 g per day or a loading phase, added sugars and calories, higher cost per gram, and medical cautions if you have kidney or liver issues. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more.

Cefdinir side effects you should know include common GI upset like diarrhea and nausea, allergic reactions from rash to rare anaphylaxis, microbiome changes that can lead to yeast infections or C. difficile, rare blood or liver problems, and important interactions that reduce absorption with iron, antacids, or acid reducers; dosing may need adjustment if you have kidney disease. Finish the prescribed course and seek urgent care for severe or bloody diarrhea, trouble breathing, swelling with hives, jaundice, dark urine, unusual bruising, or persistent upper abdominal pain, and separate doses from iron while telling your clinician about all medicines and supplements. There are several factors to consider and many more important details that could change your next steps; see below for the complete answer.

Creatine gummies can be effective, but most provide only 1 to 2 g per piece, so you may need 3 to 5 to reach the usual 3 to 5 g daily dose, which can add extra sugar and fillers. They may absorb a bit slower than powder, so take them about 30 to 60 minutes before workouts, consider pairing with a small fast carb, and remember results also depend on consistent resistance training and adequate protein. Side effects are uncommon but can include GI upset and temporary water weight, so hydrate, split doses, choose third party tested low sugar creatine monohydrate, and talk to your doctor if you have kidney, liver, or heart issues, are pregnant, or manage diabetes; there are several factors to consider, and important details that could change your next steps are outlined below.

Farxiga is not just a sugar pill: it protects the heart and kidneys, is used for heart failure and chronic kidney disease even without diabetes, and overall preserves kidney function despite a small early reversible GFR dip. Concerns about severe dehydration or low blood pressure are usually manageable with hydration and medication adjustments. Mild to moderate liver disease is not an automatic no, though advanced cirrhosis needs caution and close monitoring. There are several important details that may affect your next steps, so see the complete answer below.

Key guanfacine side effects include lowered blood pressure and heart rate with dizziness or fainting, daytime drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation, rebound hypertension if stopped suddenly, and increased risk in liver disease that may require dose adjustments. There are several factors to consider; avoid mixing with other sedating or blood pressure lowering drugs, monitor vitals, and seek care urgently for severe dizziness or fainting, allergic reactions, chest pain, or major mood changes. See below to understand more, including specific management tips, tapering guidance, and next steps to discuss with your doctor.

Guanfacine works by selectively stimulating alpha-2A adrenergic receptors in the prefrontal cortex, lowering cAMP to strengthen signaling for attention, working memory, and impulse control, while also reducing sympathetic activity to modestly lower heart rate and blood pressure. There are several factors to consider, including common sedation, dizziness from low blood pressure, CYP3A4 drug interactions, and the need to taper rather than stop abruptly. See important dosing, safety, and monitoring details below to guide next steps in your care.

Most Zepbound side effects start during dose increases and improve within days to 1–2 weeks per episode, with typical durations around 4 days for nausea, 1 day for vomiting, 2 days for diarrhea, and about 7 days for constipation; by the maintenance phase near week 16 they usually lessen. There are several factors to consider and warning signs that need prompt care; see below to understand more, including when to call a clinician if symptoms are severe, persistent, or new after 4 months.

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses and is contagious through cough and contact, while chronic bronchitis from long term irritants like smoking is not contagious. There are several factors to consider; see below for key differences that can change what you do next. To lower spread, practice hand hygiene, cover coughs, clean surfaces and consider a mask around vulnerable people; most cases improve in 2 to 3 weeks and antibiotics are rarely needed. Seek medical care sooner for high fever, trouble breathing, chest pain or bloody mucus, and find additional details and next steps below.