When Should Chelation Therapy Be Used?

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Chelation therapy binds to metal ions to help them be more easily excreted from the body. The chelating drug disodium EDTA treats heavy metal poisoning like lead.

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Some healthcare providers use chelation therapy to reduce autism symptoms or improve heart disease. But it’s only approved by the FDA to treat metal poisoning.

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Is Chelation Therapy Safe?

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Chelation therapy can effectively decrease the body’s burden of certain metals. You can always find chelation therapy near me once you search for it. The chelating agent forms a stable complex with the toxic metal excreted into urine. The complex also shields biological targets from the metal ion, preventing free radical damage. The specific effect of a chelating agent depends on its ability to occupy different coordination positions on the atom of the toxic metal, its ionic charge, and its ability to form a covalent bond.

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Nevertheless, despite its clinical therapeutic benefits, chelation therapy has certain limitations. One limitation is its inability to mobilize metals from cellular compartments behind physiological barriers like the blood-brain barrier. Another drawback is the loss of essential trace metals like copper and zinc during chelation. The lack of more extensive clinical trials of chelation drugs is also a significant concern.

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Given that metal toxicity is partially due to oxidative stress, it is recommended that antioxidants are administered with chelating agents during treatment. Various studies have demonstrated that the administration of dietary supplements like vitamins (like thiamine), essential metals (like magnesium), and amino acids (like methionine) in combination with chelating agents enhances the therapeutic effects by increasing their efficacy. Supplementation of these antioxidants also improves recovery in several altered biochemical parameters.

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Is Chelation Therapy Effective?

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Chemotherapy works to shrink a tumor or kill cancer cells. It can also help control symptoms and reduce the chance of the cancer recur. Some chemotherapy drugs can cause side effects, such as nausea and vomiting. If a patient experiences these symptoms, their doctor may prescribe antiemetics to relieve them. Healthcare professionals also use ports and catheters to deliver chemotherapy drugs. These devices remain under the skin until a patient finishes their treatment, and they connect to a vein near the heart through the chest, arm, or abdomen. Patients who receive chemotherapy should have their nurses monitor them for signs of infection and heart problems.

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Is Chelation Therapy Cost-Effective?

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Some forms of chemotherapy have curative potential, meaning they kill cancer cells and stop the disease from spreading. This is true for some people with certain kinds of leukemia, lymphoma, and melanoma.

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Doctors will make a plan for each person that specifies when and how many chemotherapy sessions. They may also give other drugs, including targeted therapy and immunotherapy, to help fight the cancer and reduce side effects.

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Depending on the type of chemotherapy, some people experience mild to severe side effects like nausea and vomiting. To ease these symptoms, doctors often prescribe antiemetic drugs.

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Healthcare professionals also attach pumps to ports and catheters for a more controlled release of chemotherapy medication. These devices are surgically implanted underneath the skin and stay in place until a person finishes treatment.

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Other common side effects include fatigue, loss of appetite, and trouble thinking. Individuals should seek support from family and friends to help them manage these symptoms. A counselor can also be helpful. Some organizations help individuals pay for medical expenses. A quick Internet search will turn up many of these; your doctor’s office may also know about some. Patients can also try price-shopping for pharmacies and drug brands to find the best deal.

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Is Chelation Therapy Safe for Children?

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Chemotherapy can cause side effects for kids, but the doctors adjust the treatment for each child based on their cancer type and where it is located. They may also give your child other treatments besides chemotherapy that work together to slow down, stop, or cure the cancer.

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Some chemotherapy drugs are hard on the kidneys and bladder, so your child will need lots of fluids. They will have blood tests to check their kidney function. The doctor can also help with symptom management, like a prescription for pain medicines and other ways to make your child comfortable.

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Children receiving some types of chemotherapy can get fewer white blood cells, making them more likely to get serious infections. They should tell their nurse immediately if they have a fever, chills, or feel sick.

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Vaccines can help protect your child from germs that may cause illness, especially if they take immune-suppressing drugs with chemotherapy. They can get these vaccines at their regular appointment with the oncologist or at other times.

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Some chemotherapy can damage the lungs, so your child might need to cough and breathe more deeply than usual. They might also have a sore mouth or trouble breathing, so drinking lots of fluids and keeping their teeth clean is essential.

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