47 SIDE EFFECTS AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT /// CHAPTER 31 Chemo Brain Fact or Fiction? FACT! " Chemo Brain " refers to changes in how your brain functions during and after treatment for cancer. These changes can be caused by chemotherapy, but also by radiation therapy. The types of changes you may notice include: » Difficulty concentrating or focusing » Difficulty with short term memory » Trouble learning new things If you notice these changes, you are not alone. What You Can Do: » Be patient with yourself. It can be irritating to you to experience these challenges. » Don't overload yourself. You may need to do fewer tasks so that you can give yourself time to do them well. » Write things down to help you remember: No shame in that! Using a paper or electronic calendar with reminders can be very helpful. » Take steps to keep your brain healthy including eating well, drinking enough water (about 8 cups a day), getting 7-8 hours of sleep nightly and exercising 20-30 minutes a day. About 60% of patients experience some amount of chemo brain symptoms after treatment. » Ask for support from friends and family. » If you are in school, take advantage of accommodations - with appropriate paperwork, you will have the right to extra resources and more time to make sure you are able to perform your best. » Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms. They can give you further ideas about how to take care of yourself. » If you continue to experience symptoms of chemo brain more than a year after finishing your treatment, let your doctor know. They can refer you to have testing (usually called neurocognitive testing) to help identify changes in the way you process information and get even more suggestions on how to adjust.https://fwaya.org/