Are There Side Effects of Chemotherapy?

Depending on the type, chemotherapy is given every day, once a week, three weeks, even once a month. How many patients have to undergo a series of Chemotherapy, also depends on the type of cancer patients.

The most feared side effects of chemotherapy is. There is-no or severity of side effects of chemotherapy depend on many things, among other types of chemotherapy drugs, the condition of your body, your mental condition, and so on.

Chemotherapy side effects arise because chemotherapy drugs are very powerful, and not only kills cancer cells, but also attack healthy cells, especially cells that divide rapidly.

Because of the side effects of chemotherapy appear on parts of the body whose cells are rapidly dividing. Side effects can occur when treatment is being done or some time after treatment. Side effects that may occur are, among others:

The body felt weak
This is a common side effect is found, the onset can be sudden or slow. Not immediately disappear with rest, sometimes can continue until the end of treatment.

Nausea and vomiting
There are several chemotherapy drugs are more make nausea and vomiting. In addition there are some people who are very prone to nausea and vomiting. This can be prevented with anti-nausea drugs given before, during, or after chemotherapy. Nausea and vomiting can be short or long.

Indigestion
Some types of chemotherapy drugs affect diarrhea. There's even become diarrhea accompanied by severe dehydration should be treated. Constipation can sometimes occur. If diarrhea: less fibrous foods, cereals, fruit and vegetables. Drink plenty of fluids to replace lost. When hard CHAPTER: multiply fibrous food, moderate exercise whenever possible.

Thrush and impaired sense of taste
Some chemotherapy drugs cause oral diseases such as thick or infection. Chemotherapy can also damage the taste receptors in the mouth. Changes in sense of taste usually begins one week after chemotherapy begins and lasts for 3-4 weeks.

Hair loss
Hair loss is temporary, usually occurs two or three weeks after starting chemotherapy. Can also cause hair breakage near the scalp. May occur after several weeks of therapy. Hair can grow back after chemotherapy is completed.

Muscle and nerve disorders.
Some chemotherapy drugs cause tingling and numbness in the fingers or toes and muscle weakness in the legs.

Effects on blood
Some types of chemotherapy drugs can affect the bone marrow work which is the manufacturer of the blood cells so that the blood cell count decreased. The most common is a decrease in white blood cells (leukocytes). Decreased blood cells occurs in every chemotherapy and blood tests will be carried out before the next chemotherapy to ensure blood cell count has returned to normal. Decrease in the number of blood cells can lead to infections, bleeding, and anemia.

Dry skin and discolored
More sensitive to the sun. Nails grow more slowly and there is a transverse white lines.

Unstable hormone production
Lowered libido and affect fertility in both men and women.