Oral and Throat Ulcers
Chemotherapy can lead to several side effects due to its impact on healthy cells in the body, including blood cells, those in the mouth and digestive tract, and hair follicles. One common side effect is the development of painful oral and throat ulcers, medically referred to as mucositis. Patients may begin to experience these ulcers approximately one to two weeks after receiving a chemotherapy dose. To alleviate the discomfort caused by these ulcers, it is recommended to rinse the mouth with a saline solution.
Nausea and Vomiting
Chemotherapy often induces feelings of nausea and may result in vomiting. The severity of these symptoms largely depends on the specific chemotherapy regimen and dosage a patient is receiving. It is important to note that there are medications available that can be administered before and after chemotherapy sessions to help prevent nausea and vomiting. These antiemetic drugs come in various forms, including tablets, capsules, injections, and transdermal patches.
Loss of Appetite
Some patients may experience a decrease in appetite as a result of chemotherapy, leading to a lack of hunger or early satiety after consuming small amounts of food. If this issue is left unaddressed, it can result in significant weight loss and insufficient nutrient intake, ultimately weakening the patient’s health. To help manage appetite loss, healthcare professionals often suggest breaking down larger meals into smaller, more frequent ones, maintaining a routine of healthy snacks, attempting to eat a small meal on chemotherapy days, and using a straw for drinking fluids to make consumption easier.
Diarrhea and Constipation
Chemotherapy can cause gastrointestinal complications due to its effects on the cells involved in digestion, potentially leading to either diarrhea or constipation. Patients are advised to avoid foods that could irritate their gastrointestinal tract and to ensure adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration caused by diarrhea, as well as to alleviate constipation when it arises.
Hair Loss
Hair loss is one of the most well-known side effects of chemotherapy; however, not all patients will experience this issue. To mitigate hair loss, patients can consider using scalp cooling caps during treatment sessions, which work by lowering the temperature of the scalp to reduce blood flow and, consequently, the amount of chemotherapy that reaches the hair follicles, potentially decreasing the likelihood of hair loss.
Immune System Suppression
Chemotherapy can weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of infections. Therefore, patients are encouraged to practice good hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water, avoiding close contact with individuals who are ill, and receiving the annual flu vaccine.
Other Side Effects
Several additional side effects related to chemotherapy include:
- Easy bruising and bleeding: This occurs because chemotherapy lowers platelet counts in the blood.
- Neuropathy: This condition involves nerve damage that can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the extremities.
- Breathing difficulties: Some chemotherapy agents may harm the lungs, so patients are advised to rest and keep their heads elevated on a pillow to ease shortness of breath.
- Skin rash: Chemotherapy can lead to rashes, often accompanied by itching and an increased risk of skin infection.
- General discomfort: Patients may experience widespread pain, fatigue, and headaches following chemotherapy sessions.
- Anemia: A decrease in red blood cells due to chemotherapy can lead to anemia.
- Temporary skin changes: The skin may become dry, overly sensitive to light, and may present with redness, rashes, or itchiness.
- Cognitive changes: Some patients may encounter short-term memory loss during chemotherapy.
- Sleep disturbances: Insomnia can occur, making it hard for individuals to fall asleep or return to sleep after waking during the night.
- Other side effects: These may include mood changes, fluctuations in weight, kidney issues, alterations in libido, and infertility problems.