What are the Side Effects that Cancer Patients Face During Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy can be used to treat a number of malignancies. It is, nevertheless, susceptible to side effects, just like other drugs. Chemotherapy involves a wide range of side effects, which differ from person to person. The type of cancer, its location, the treatments used and their dosage, as well as your overall health, all influence them. To begin your therapy, it is always important to seek the advice of a skilled cancer doctor in Delhi NCR.

The Most Prevalent Side Effects of Chemotherapy are:

Drugs can have a variety of side effects. Chemotherapy treatments can have a variety of negative effects. However, each person’s experience is unique.

All side effects should be reported to your doctor. The majority of chemotherapy side effects aren’t indicative of how effectively the medication is working. They can, however, for certain types of medications known as targeted therapies.

Traditional chemotherapy has a number of side effects, which are listed here.

1. Fatigue – Fatigue is defined as a persistent sense of tiredness or exhaustion. Chemotherapy’s most prevalent side effect is this.

2. Pain – Chemotherapy can be painful at times. This can include things like:

• Headaches
• Muscle ache
• Stomach ache
• Burning, numbness, or shooting pains are common symptoms of nerve injury in the fingers and toes.

3. Mouth and throat sores – The majority of chemotherapy-related discomfort improves or disappears between treatments. Nerve damage, on the other hand, generally worsens with each dose. It is sometimes necessary to cease taking the medicine that is causing the nerve damage. Chemotherapy-induced nerve damage might take months or years to heal or disappear. It never totally disappears in some people.

Pain is frequently treated differently depending on what is causing it. It’s critical to discuss your suffering with your healthcare provider while undergoing chemotherapy. Other factors, such as the cancer itself, can cause discomfort in addition to the treatment. If the discomfort is caused by chemotherapy, doctors can help you by doing the following:

4. Diarrhea – Loose or watery bowel motions are a side effect of several chemotherapy treatments. Preventing or treating diarrhoea early might help you avoid becoming dehydrated (losing too much body fluid). It also aids in the prevention of other health issues. Learn more about how to deal with diarrhoea.

5. Nausea and vomiting are common side effects. Chemotherapy can make you feel ill to your stomach and make you vomit (throwing up). The extent to which you experience these adverse effects is determined by the drugs you’re taking and the dose you’re taking. Taking the correct drugs before and after each chemotherapy dose can typically keep nausea and vomiting at bay.

6. Constipation – Constipation is a side effect of chemotherapy. This can include not having enough bowel motions or having uncomfortable bowel movements. Constipation can also be caused by other medications, such as pain relievers. Constipation can be avoided by drinking plenty of water, eating well-balanced meals, and exercising regularly. Find out how to deal with constipation.

How Does Chemotherapy Affect a Person?

Some chemotherapy side effects occur just during treatment and fade fast once it is over. Others, on the other hand, can linger for months or even years, and some may never go gone altogether.

Keep an eye out for long-term effects of chemo and let your doctor know how you’re doing. Your doctor can advise you on how to deal with your symptoms.

1. Brain – You might get a touch of “chemo brain” if you feel a bit hazy after your therapy is finished. It’s possible that you’re having trouble concentrating or remembering names and dates. You may also be prone to forgetting things or having difficulty multitasking. The specific aetiology of chemo brain is unknown to doctors. It appears to be more common if you received higher chemotherapy doses.
2. Weight – Some forms of chemotherapy can cause you to gain weight. It’s possible that the weight will linger on once your treatment is finished. Some medications used to treat breast cancer, for example, can lead you to lose muscle and gain fat, making it far more difficult to reduce weight. To assist you lose weight, engage with a dietician or nutritionist and incorporate strength training exercises into your workout programme.
3. Energy – You undoubtedly recall the exhaustion you felt during your chemo treatments. However, some people are still exhausted following treatment. Even if you get enough sleep, you may still feel lethargic. Consult your doctor for advice on how to boost your energy levels.

Following cancer treatment, it’s critical to take care of yourself. It’s critical to continue receiving care once therapy has ended. Long-term side effects can be treated and late effects can be monitored with the support of your health care team. This is referred to as follow-up care which is done by oncologist in Noida or any state. Regular physical examinations, medical testing, or both may be part of your follow-up care.