Not every cancer treatment will produce side effects for individuals undergoing chemotherapy and ration treatments for cancer. The type of chemotherapy and the dosing and what pre-existing health problems an individual has will affect the type of side effects that they may experience. Individuals can have a lot of side effects or some individuals may experience no side effects. The duration of how long a person will experience the side effects will depend on their state of health and what type of chemotherapy they are receiving. Many of the side effects go away as soon as the chemotherapy is done, but sometimes it can take months or years for them to go away.
There are many different side effects that an individual can develop from cancer treatments. Learning about the side effects beforehand and knowing what to expect can make this difficult time a little easier to manage. This is the time when individuals need to get their hands on all the material available about possible side effects of cancer treatments.
When individuals are faced with a diagnosis of cancer it is a very difficult time of life. Cancer is a very scary word, but it is more frightening not to have the answers to the questions that are flowing through your mind. When faced with chemotherapy, the more knowledge individuals have about chemotherapy and its side effects, the better equipped individuals will be to handle the treatment. Not knowing what to expect will only increase your anxiety during this difficult period in your life. This is the time to gather all the information about chemotherapy and its side effects and not go into treatment blind sighted.
One of the more common side effects of cancer treatments is anemia. Some chemotherapy treatments cause anemia because it has an effect on the bone marrow and its ability to produce red blood cells. There are red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout your entire body. When you do not have enough of these red blood cells circulating throughout your body, this is the definition of anemia. When you do not have enough circulating red blood cells your heart will work harder because the anemia will cause you to have less oxygen available for normal body functions. This can cause you to feel short of breath, tired and weak. Individuals may also experience some dizzy spells.
Cancer patients who experience the side effects of anemia will be told to get plenty of rest, decrease their daily activities and eat a well balanced diet. Your diet is especially important because calories help to maintain your weight and protein repairs tissue damage from the chemotherapy treatments.
Another side effect that some patients experience is bleeding. There are cells in your blood known as platelets. Platelets have the role of making your blood clot when you bleed. Chemotherapy treatment because of its affect on bone marrow can inhibit the numbers of platelets your body makes. A term you may hear used for this condition is known as thrombocytopenia. You may notice that you bruise easily or notice a bunch of tiny red spots all over your skin. You may also notice bleeding from your nose or your mouth.
Individuals that develop this side effect you will be advised to be very careful when brushing your teeth. A soft thistle toothbrush needs to be used. If you are a male, you will be told to use an electric shaver instead of a razor blade. You will also be told to be careful with the use of over the counter products like vitamins, aspirin or dietary supplements. You need to talk to your physician before purchasing any over the counter products while receiving chemotherapy. Any red or pink urine, bloody bowel movements or a sudden feeling of hot area in your leg or arms needs to be immediately reported to your physician.
Another common side effect is diarrhea. There are healthy cells that line your intestine and chemotherapy can damage these cells. It is important to be careful you do not lose too much salt from your body because of the diarrhea. Your medical team will recommend that you ingest foods that are high in sodium and potassium. This would include oranges,bananas and boiled or mashed potatoes. Gatorade is an example of a product they will ask you to add to your liquid intake. It is advisable to drink 8 to 12 cups of clear type liquids daily. Bedside Gatorade, clear liquids would include water and clear broth or ginger ale. This is a time when you want to watch that you are eating low fiber foods.
Examples of some low fiber foods are:
* Bananas
* Saltine crackers
* Gelatin
* Cottage cheese
* Chicken with the skin removed.
* White rice
* Plain yogurt
Because of the effect on your bone marrow from chemotherapy you have an increased risk of infection. Chemotherapy affects the ability of your bone marrow to produce white blood cells. The white blood cells are what helps your body to fight infection. In the hospital setting many cancer patients are monitored for neutropenia. This is where the white blood cell count is low, and an individual is at an increased risk for infection. If you have a low neutrophil count you will need to check for a fever daily. It is especially important that you wash your hands with soap and water frequently. Carrying around a hand sanitizer will also be suggested. You will be advised to stay away from crowds and people who are sick. Be careful to avoid raw or undercooked fish, meat or chicken or eggs. These types of food may have bacteria and can cause infection.
Chemotherapy can cause other changes like fatigue, hair loss, changes in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, skin and nails changes and other side effects. When you are receiving chemotherapy it is vital to you develop a very close relationship with the medical team caring for you. These individuals are highly trained and can monitor for any changes or potential problems and handle them early. It is easier to handle side effects early on before you develop major complications. Do not be afraid to ask questions, you know your own body the best. Keeping informed and monitoring closely will help to manage the time you are receiving chemotherapy go as smoothly as possible.