Chemotherapy is the most common treatment used to treat various types of the deadly cancer. Although it is very effective in curbing the rapid growth of the deadly cancer cells, its side effects on the body cannot be ruled out. Apart from common ailments such as constipation, diarrhea, nausea, the treatment may have some of the most devastating effects on human body that could cause both physical and emotional setback for the patient. In the following lines, we have provided some of the most common side effects of chemotherapy.
Common Side Effects Of Chemotherapy
- Hair loss is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy. At the end of the treatment, the patient is left with no hair on his/her head.
- Chemotherapy leads to dry, flaky and cracked skin. It makes the skin lose all the essential oils and moisture. Dehydration and side effects of the medication may further aggravate the dryness in the skin. The skin may get cracked and eventually, peel off.
- Itchiness in the skin is another significant side effect. The patient might face intense irritation in the various parts of the body.
- Patients often have the feeling of lack of appeal after undergoing Chemotherapy, because they lose hair, gain or lose weight. The inferiority complex may drift them from their partner. Hence, it is clearly seen that Chemotherapy disrupts the sex life of the patient, directly or indirectly.
- Although medications can prevent certain complications in the treatment, the patient still can't help himself/herself stay away from the symptoms of fatigue.
- Chemotherapy can lead to a nauseating feeling, during and after treatment. The patient may vomit in regular intervals.
- Constipation is another side effect related to this treatment of cancer. Lack of smoothness in the bowel movement is often related to the strong medications that are given to the patient.
- Chemotherapy results in the reduced count of blood platelets. This condition occurs, when the drugs used for this treatment kill the blood cells.
- The patient may encounter changes in his/her taste buds. He/she may not feel like eating or drinking anything, during and after a few days of treatment.
- Stress, anxiety and malnutrition give rise of diarrhea - another visible side effect of chemotherapy.