Medicine

Chemotherapy — side effects

Chemotherapy is one of the most commonly used treatments for cancer. An issue that causes a lot of emotion is the side effects of chemotherapy. Regardless of whether the disease is diagnosed in you or a loved one, it is worth finding out as much as possible about them before starting your treatment. The acquired knowledge about the specifics of chemo is an important weapon in the fight against difficulties — it gives the opportunity for better preparation as well as the entire process. So what side effects can occur after chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy side effects — what causes them?

A characteristic feature of cancer cells is the ability to multiply very quickly and uncontrollably. Chemotherapy drugs are designed to eliminate rapidly dividing cancer cells. However, these types of cells are also found in a perfectly healthy body, skin, hair, and intestines cells. The occurrence of chemotherapy side effects is closely related to the specificity of the drugs used. In addition to cancer cells, cytostatics can also destroy healthy, rapidly dividing cells, which in turn causes organ dysfunction. As a result, side effects appear.

Chemotherapy — the most common side effects

The occurrence of side effects is related to the type of damaged cells and the degree of the damage. The most common chemotherapy side effects include:

Tiredness;
Hair loss;
Nausea;
Vomiting;
Diarrhea;
Decreased immunity;
Vitamin deficiencies;
Anemia.

In addition, long-term side effects from the digestive system may contribute to the loss of valuable electrolytes. As a result, deficiencies may appear in the body, causing disorders, for example, in the immune system.

Chemotherapy long-term side effects

In some cases, depending on the medications you are taking, side effects may also appear after ending chemotherapy. The cause of their occurrence may be damage to internal structures and the rate of their ability to regenerate. Such side effects include, among others:

Fatigue and weakness;
Problems with concentration;
Premature menopause;
Heart problems;
Problems related to the urinary system;
Nervous system problems (e.g., numbness);
Problems with joints and skeletal system;

You should be informed about possible after side effcts after before starting the treatment.

Chemo side effects — how to deal with them?

There are a few important rules to help mitigate side effects. One of them is introducing a well-balanced diet that will provide the body with all the necessary nutrients. Their appropriate amount supports the regeneration of the body and prevents deficits. For this purpose, it is worth contacting a dietitian who will prepare a nutritional plan tailored to your individual needs. Proper meal planning is also very important. The best way is to schedule multiple smaller meals spread out throughout the day. Thanks to this, the digestive system will not be burdened by large amounts of food. During oncological treatment, you should remember to wash your hands frequently. Thanks to this, the risk of acquiring a bacterial or viral infection will be minimized. Moreover, throughout the treatment period, you should stay in constant contact with your doctor, so that you can contact him / her in the event of alarming symptoms.