Any person who has to undergo chemotherapy at treatment centers for cancer, most likely has to also deal with the side-effects of this treatment. But it is an individual experience, because every person experiences chemotherapy differently- physically as well as emotionally.
The side-effects of chemotherapy are different for different people. And every chemotherapy drug has different effect on the body. Some of the more common side-effects of chemotherapy and ways to deal with them are listed below.
Symptoms of flu:
There are chances that some people may experience symptoms of flu such as pains and muscle aches. If you are experiencing such symptoms, you can either contact your cancer treatment center or take over-the-counter medications like Advil.
Nausea:
Some chemotherapy drugs may cause nausea. There are many anti-nausea medicines available. Apart from the medications, one can also follow practical tips, such as not skipping meals and drinking plenty of fluids. One should also ask family and friends to help with meals. Herbal drinks and juices are good for the body. Also, some people might even develop side-effects with the anti-nausea medications. If this happens, one must immediately contact their cancer treatment center.
Fatigue:
Many people experience fatigue when they are undergoing chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can make one feel very tired and may even worsen with time. Even though the fatigue will go away after you recover chemotherapy, it is good if you can maintain your daily activities. It helps in better physical and emotional recovery. Exercising everyday is a good idea. One can take up walking, swimming or yoga.
Diarrhea or constipation:
Some chemotherapy drugs cause diarrhea and/or constipation. If you are experiencing this, contact treatment centers for cancer. It is not advisable to take over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medications. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of fluid a day and regular exercise combined with high-fiber foods helps prevent constipation. If it is diarrhea, one must drink plenty non-caffeinated fluids everyday to replenish lost fluids.
Mouth sores:
Mouth sores and discomfort while swallowing is another side-effect of chemotherapy. It develops because chemotherapy also adversely affects the rapidly dividing cells such as those lining your mouth. If you develop painful sores, please call your cancer specialist. They may prescribe a special mouth rinse. It is also suggested that you rinse brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush. Rinsing mouth with a solution of one teaspoon baking soda and one teaspoon salt in a glass of lukewarm water may also help ease the sores.
Hair loss:
Not all chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss. Talk to your doctor or nurse to get a clear idea. Usually, hair loss begins after two or three weeks of starting chemotherapy. Some people lose very little hair while some others may lose hair on their head, eyebrows as well as the body hair. This can be emotionally draining, especially for women. Different people deal with it in different ways. You may consider buying a wig or you may want to just cover your head with a hat or scarf. Your hair will grow back after two to three months after you stop chemotherapy.
Appetite changes:
If you don’t have an appetite the first few days following chemotherapy, don’t worry. It’s not unusual for people to experience taste and appetite changes during chemotherapy. You may find that you tolerate only certain kinds of food. It is encouraged that you eat what appeals to you. Try to drink about ten glasses of water a day and avoid places where food is cooked, it will help with the nausea.
The side-effects of chemotherapy are different for different people. And every chemotherapy drug has different effect on the body. Some of the more common side-effects of chemotherapy and ways to deal with them are listed below.
Symptoms of flu:
There are chances that some people may experience symptoms of flu such as pains and muscle aches. If you are experiencing such symptoms, you can either contact your cancer treatment center or take over-the-counter medications like Advil.
Nausea:
Some chemotherapy drugs may cause nausea. There are many anti-nausea medicines available. Apart from the medications, one can also follow practical tips, such as not skipping meals and drinking plenty of fluids. One should also ask family and friends to help with meals. Herbal drinks and juices are good for the body. Also, some people might even develop side-effects with the anti-nausea medications. If this happens, one must immediately contact their cancer treatment center.
Fatigue:
Many people experience fatigue when they are undergoing chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can make one feel very tired and may even worsen with time. Even though the fatigue will go away after you recover chemotherapy, it is good if you can maintain your daily activities. It helps in better physical and emotional recovery. Exercising everyday is a good idea. One can take up walking, swimming or yoga.
Diarrhea or constipation:
Some chemotherapy drugs cause diarrhea and/or constipation. If you are experiencing this, contact treatment centers for cancer. It is not advisable to take over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medications. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of fluid a day and regular exercise combined with high-fiber foods helps prevent constipation. If it is diarrhea, one must drink plenty non-caffeinated fluids everyday to replenish lost fluids.
Mouth sores:
Mouth sores and discomfort while swallowing is another side-effect of chemotherapy. It develops because chemotherapy also adversely affects the rapidly dividing cells such as those lining your mouth. If you develop painful sores, please call your cancer specialist. They may prescribe a special mouth rinse. It is also suggested that you rinse brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush. Rinsing mouth with a solution of one teaspoon baking soda and one teaspoon salt in a glass of lukewarm water may also help ease the sores.
Hair loss:
Not all chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss. Talk to your doctor or nurse to get a clear idea. Usually, hair loss begins after two or three weeks of starting chemotherapy. Some people lose very little hair while some others may lose hair on their head, eyebrows as well as the body hair. This can be emotionally draining, especially for women. Different people deal with it in different ways. You may consider buying a wig or you may want to just cover your head with a hat or scarf. Your hair will grow back after two to three months after you stop chemotherapy.
Appetite changes:
If you don’t have an appetite the first few days following chemotherapy, don’t worry. It’s not unusual for people to experience taste and appetite changes during chemotherapy. You may find that you tolerate only certain kinds of food. It is encouraged that you eat what appeals to you. Try to drink about ten glasses of water a day and avoid places where food is cooked, it will help with the nausea.
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