Headaches: This is generally from a low blood sugar level. To prevent this from happening, eat before or during the treatment. A common recommendation for the prevention of the 'EDTA-headaches' is to eat a semi to ripe banana during the first hour of infusion.

Local skin irritation: This is generally from a deficiency in zinc and vitamin B6. Supplementation of these nutrients are recommended during the therapy.

Nausea or stomach upset: Generally due to a deficiency of vitamin B6. It is manifested in less than 1 percent of the patients receiving chelation therapy. It is best treated by B6 supplementation, although short term relief (up to eight hours) from nausea can be achieved by acupressure treatment.

Diarrhea: Very very few people undergoing chelation therapy experience this discomfort. Take plenty of rest. Eat a diet that consists of plenty of liquids. Avoid spicy food. Frequency of urination goes up as the kidney efficiency improves. A weight loss (from fluid excretion) of 3 to 5 pounds (1.3 to 2.2 kg) is common after an infusion especially if the patient suffered from fluid retention before chelation therapy.

Feeling like fainting: This is generally due to a drop in blood pressure. It is common for those who had high blood pressure that returns to more normal levels as a result of the treatment. If the blood pressure was normal to start with, it could drop slightly after the infusion. This may lead to to feeling of faintness on standing after sitting or lying. If this happens, rest for an hour or so. Keep your feet higher than your head so as to allow the blood to flow into the brain. Take a supplement containing the amino acid tyrosine to help restore normal pressure levels if this symptom persists.

Extreme fatigue: This is usually from a general nutrient deficiency of minerals such as magnesium, zinc or potassium. Taking a potassium ­ rich supplements and/or the regular eating of potassium ­ rich foods are suggested before and during chelation (grapes, bananas, peaches, potato skins), as this mineral may be removed during the chelation therapy.

Fever: Very few people (less than 0.02 percent of those undergoing the treatment) may develop fever during the day after chelation therapy sessions. If this happens to you, make sure you tell your therapist. This condition, left on its own, normally resolves on its own.

Cramps:  About 5 percent of the patients report cramps usually at night. It is treated best by administering supplemental magnesium either orally or as an additive to EDTA infusion mixture. If magnesium is added to the infusion, it is generally in the form of magnesium chloride or magnesium sulfate. Such additions also reduce the chance of local skin irritation at the site of the infusion.

Pain in the joints: This is generally reported by patients who take frequent (three weekly) infusions. If this happens, reduce the number of infusions to one per week. Your therapist may also reduce the dosage of EDTA administered, if strong flu­like aches develop. The symptoms generally disappear if you follow these recommendations.