Constipation
Constipation is defined as a condition in which bowel (stool) movements are rare, incomplete or there is difficulty in passing stool. No regular bowel movement for 3 days is described as constipation. Constipation is common for persons taking opioid (any medicine that contains opium, and has the quality of relieving pain) medications for their pain. Constipation also occurs for those with not enough fluid intake, not enough fiber intake, and who have low physical activity. Constipation can also occur from the cancer itself, chemotherapy or other drug therapies.

Cough
Cough is a reflex response to mechanical, chemical, or inflammation of the trachea brachial tree. Cough serves as a way to clear the obstruction or irritating material. It may be the sign of an infection. It happens automatically. It clears things from the airway.

Depression (Sadness)
Depression is sadness that happens in response to an event or due to changes in your body's chemistry. Depression is sadness that is greater than normal, lasts two weeks, and greatly impacts your daily life.

Diarrhea
Diarrhea is defined as more than two loose or watery stools (bowel movements) per day. Cancer treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy can cause diarrhea. These loose or watery stools may start soon after treatment. Diarrhea may be delayed for two weeks after treatment begins. If left untreated, diarrhea can cause weakness, weight loss, skin problems, fluid loss, and poor nutrition.

Distress (Anxiety)
Anxiety is a vague feeling of uneasiness, unpleasant feelings, or fear resulting from expecting some bad news or harm. Anxiety can happen to anyone. Persons with cancer who have had surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation may get anxious more easily than others. Anxiety and fear are common and normal feelings that patients have when coping with the diagnosis or treatment of cancer.

Disturbed Sleep (Insomnia)
Disturbed sleep is a change in your usual sleep pattern; and can range from insomnia or difficulty sleeping (the inability to either fall asleep or stay asleep) to hypersomnia (a problem staying awake when you want to and try to).

Dry Mouth
Some people describe dry mouth as a “cotton mouth”. Some say their tongue and cheeks stick together. Some have difficulty chewing and swallowing foods because their mouth is dry. Saliva may feel dry or thick and ropey. Speech may be altered. Taste changes may occur. The tongue may burn and cracks may occur.

Fatigue (Tiredness)
Fatigue is an overwhelming sense of exhaustion. There is a lowered ability to do physical and mental work, regardless of enough sleep. It means less energy to do the things you normally want to do. This fatigue is different than the everyday fatigue, which is usually temporary and relieved by rest. Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment, whether the treatment is radiation, or chemotherapy. It is more severe and distressing than everyday fatigue. In addition, fatigue can exist beyond when treatment ends.

Fever
A fever is defined as a temperature rise above normal, ranging from a temperature equal to or greater than 100.4º F, or as set by your doctor’s office. Fever is a very important warning sign of infection in patients with cancer. Fever is generally lowest in the very early morning and highest in the afternoon.

Lack of Appetite
This symptom describes a lack of or decreased appetite despite basic caloric needs. Food may not taste right. Lack of appetite, if not treated and managed, can lead to a more serious condition. By improving your appetite, you can improve your quality of life and be better able to tolerate cancer treatments.

Nausea
Nausea is an unpleasant feeling in the back of the throat and stomach that may or may not result in vomiting.

Numbness and Tingling (Peripheral Neuropathy)
Numbness and tingling is swelling or damage to a nerve fiber and is associated with some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation. It occurs generally in the hands and feet. It may interfere with walking, driving, ability to sense temperature differences, and other normal daily activities.

Pain
Pain is an unpleasant and uncomfortable feeling and emotional response related to actual or possible tissue damage. Pain is a hard symptom to understand. Pain is whatever a person says it is, happening whenever he/she says it does.

Physical Functioning
Physical functioning is the ability to keep up physically with the demands of every day life. It is getting around and the ability to do daily activities.

Prepared For Symptoms Management
Caregivers often feel overwhelmed because they do not have the knowledge and skills to take on the caregiver role and assist the care recipient in his care of multiple symptoms. Caregivers in general need information to feel prepared to manage the care situation and the care recipient's symptoms. Caregivers need information about monitoring symptoms, interpreting symptoms, making decisions, taking action, making adjustments, accessing resources (including coordinating care), providing hands-on care (direct care), working as partners with the care recipient, and negotiating with the healthcare system for patients care needs.

Remembering Things (Cognitive Dysfunction)
Decline in mental functioning, ranging from mild impairment, such as lack of concentration, to extreme impairment, known as delirium may occur for cancer patients. Delirium can cause a state of confusion, excitement and disorientation.

Shortness of Breath (Difficulty Breathing)
Dyspnea is trouble breathing or difficulty catching your breath. Breathing difficulties sometimes occur when the body is not getting enough oxygen.