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Can Chemotherapy Lead To Delirium?
Question: Yes my husband has been having chemo treatments for 10 months now and within the last couple of days he is sleep talking at night and sometimes during the day. What could be causing this? He also has a cough which he has been taking cough sysup.
Brief Answer:
Can be due to chemotherapy side effects
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible. First of all, it is sad to know what your husband had been experiencing lately.
Based on the history you have shared, it can be due to direct side effects of chemotherapy as mild delirium may be caused by many antibiotics and chemotherapeutic drugs however if mild, the chemotherapy should be discontinued keeping in view the gravity of disease for which it is prescribed.
Another possibility to be ruled out is that chemo can induce immunocompromised or low immunity states which can make persons more prone to CNS infections viral or bacterial which may present with incoherent or confused talks at times. He needs to reviewed by your primary physician in that case or if he develops fever or headaches alongside and should be evaluated for neurological and eyes examination.
The dry cough can be drug related or cab be due to mild throat congestion which may not become apparent on initial few days on throat examination unless severe or repeated coughing bouts lead to redness or inflammation of throat. XXXXXXX warm saline water gargles and steam inhalations may help. Meanwhile honey and cough suppressants can be continued.
Wishing him a quick recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.
Can be due to chemotherapy side effects
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible. First of all, it is sad to know what your husband had been experiencing lately.
Based on the history you have shared, it can be due to direct side effects of chemotherapy as mild delirium may be caused by many antibiotics and chemotherapeutic drugs however if mild, the chemotherapy should be discontinued keeping in view the gravity of disease for which it is prescribed.
Another possibility to be ruled out is that chemo can induce immunocompromised or low immunity states which can make persons more prone to CNS infections viral or bacterial which may present with incoherent or confused talks at times. He needs to reviewed by your primary physician in that case or if he develops fever or headaches alongside and should be evaluated for neurological and eyes examination.
The dry cough can be drug related or cab be due to mild throat congestion which may not become apparent on initial few days on throat examination unless severe or repeated coughing bouts lead to redness or inflammation of throat. XXXXXXX warm saline water gargles and steam inhalations may help. Meanwhile honey and cough suppressants can be continued.
Wishing him a quick recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Answered by
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