What Side Effects to Expect With Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can help save a great number of lives each year, but there is a downside to using chemotherapy since it can cause a variety of side-effects. Many of the side-effects might be prevented or reduced in significance; while certain others will just need to be endured. The side-effects that relate to the treatment for cancer is likely to vary from person-to-person, the dosage, the type of drug used, and the way in which the treatment is given.

Here are some of the main side-effects that relate to the chemotherapy treatment:

Neutropenia: This is a complaint caused by a significant reduction in the white blood cells which are required for helping the body fight infections, and therefore has the potential to leave a patient that much more vulnerable to catching an infection. It might also leave a patient in a condition that is too weak to receive a planned chemotherapy session. Some of the indications for a low white blood cell count include chills and fever, nasal congestion, and pain experience during urination.

Anemia: If a patient starts to experience anemia then this essentially means that the red blood cell count has decreased. It is highly beneficial to have the ideal red blood cell count to ensure that oxygen is efficiently carried throughout the body and able to reach the muscles and major organs. If after receiving a treatment of the chemotherapy, some of the more noticeable symptoms for this condition relate to low blood pressure, fatigue, irritability, and dizziness.

Hair Loss: One of the more noticeable side-effects of undergoing chemotherapy treatment relates to hair loss, which is likely to be noticed within a period of seven to 21 days after receiving the first treatment session. Hair loss can impact the entire body, from the legs and arms to the head. The degree of hair loss is often highly dependent on the particular type of chemotherapy drug. Although highly noticeable, this condition is often short-term since the hair is able to grow back as soon as the chemo sessions are completed.

Nausea and Vomiting: A further complaint that is associated with the chemotherapy treatment and highly common is that of nausea and vomiting, which can be extremely debilitating. If you are able to use some of the latest anti-vomiting drugs than this will significantly reduce the overall impact of this complaint. If a patient is attending treatment sessions that rely on several different chemo drugs than the chances of feeling sick and unwell are likely to increase significantly.