AROMATHERAPY AS A MEANS OF COPING WITH THE SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY - A COMMON TREATMENT FOR CANCER

Cancer

INTRODUCTION

According to history, cancer is the second deadliest disease after cardiovascular diseases. In a recent data from WHO, cancer was found to account for 8.2 million deaths which is around 22% of all deaths not related to communicable diseases.

In its simplest definition, cancer is a collection of related diseases that causes uncontrollable and malignant body cell growth in the body which leads to formation of tumors. This causes the cancer cells to continue to grow, divide and re-divide instead of dying and form new abnormal cells.

This lethal attribute of cancer has compelled ancient surgeons to make researches on how to cure this deadly disease. Earlier, cancer was being treated through removal by surgery and some anesthetic methods. During the last decades of the 20th century, surgeons developed new methods for cancer treatment by combining surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation.

As defined by Wikipedia, Chemotherapy is simply the treatment of cancer with one or more cytotoxic anti-neoplastic drugs (chemotherapeutic agents) as part of a standardized regimen. The term encompasses a variety of drugs, which are divided into broad categories such as alkylating agents and antimetabolites. Traditional chemotherapeutic agents act by killing cells that divide rapidly, a critical property of most cancer cells.

In combination with surgery, chemotherapy has proven useful in cancer types including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, osteogenic sarcoma, testicular cancer, ovarian cancer and certain lung cancers.

However, the effectiveness of chemotherapy is often limited by its toxicity to other tissues in the body. It is usually accompanied by many side effects which in turn leave the patient in bad health state.

Common amongst the side effects of employing chemotherapy as a means of suppressing the effects of cancer are; skin damage, Nausea and vomiting, Neuritis, weakness and fatigue, increase in weight and mouth soreness.

This worrying side effects demands equal attention as the cancer prevention itself. Aromatherapy - a traditionally inclined curing technique is a promising and effective healing method that befits this cure.

Aromatherapy basically involve the harnessing of the curative and therapeutic properties of essential oil as a means of improving health and wellness. Different essential oils have specific curative attributes which suits the curing of the accompanying side effects of chemotherapy.

Aromatherapy

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AROMATHERAPY AT A GLANCE

Aromatherapy is a traditionally inclined curative technique that uses plant materials and aromatic plant oils, including essential oils, and other aroma compounds for improving psychological or physical well-being. It can be offered as a complementary therapy or as a form of alternative medicine.

Essential oils, which are used extensively in Aromatherapy are basically products from the stems, root, bark, and other parts of the plants. They are known to be of great medicinal and therapeutic benefits and has been effective for years.

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AROMATHERAPY AS A CURATIVE TECHNIQUE FOR SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY

As earlier stated, chemotherapy is a well-used therapy for cancer treatment. It was however found to come with side effects that are very dangerous to the health. Some of the common side effects are skin damage, Nausea and vomiting, Neuritis, weakness and fatigue, increase in weight and mouth soreness.

Aromatherapy which is based on the use of the curative properties of essential oils is a promising and effective technique that can be used in annihilating these side effects.

Common essentials oils which has with great curative and therapeutic properties include peppermint, Spike lavender, Rose Otto, frankincense, clary sage, Rosemary, ginger, black pepper, and so on. They are useful in curing most of the stated side effects of chemotherapy.

In a 2006 research by a work of the Massage Today Publication on essentials oils, the specific curative properties of essential oils are extracted as below;

As a cure for pain relief; Essential oils such as sweet marjoram, lavender, spike lavender, clary sage, lemongrass etc. are applicable.
For aiding a peaceful sleep; Essential oils such jasmine, marjoram, Roman chamomile, neroli etc. are applicable.
For relieving headaches; Essential oils such marjoram, Roman chamomile, peppermint etc. are applicable.
To create an anti-inflammatory synergy; The use of Spike lavender with peppermint and helichrysum is applicable.
For increased circulation; The use of rosemary, ginger, or black pepper is applicable.
Mouth sores and its derivatives; The use of melaleuca, bergamot, and thyme is applicable.
Skin damage; The curative effects of Frankincense can be applied in eliminating this effect.

Essential Oil

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RECOMMENDATION

Indeed, from the analyzed curative and therapeutic properties of the stated essential oils and many others, Aromatherapy is promising, inexpensive and noninvasive treatment for curing the side effects of chemotherapy.

So, I will recommend that people should not cynical but rather look into and explore the healing benefits of aromatherapy and also acknowledge the fact that overtime, essential oils have addressed many ailments for thousands of

REFERENCES
The following are sources that aided my work:

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