Chemotherapy and its common side effects:

What is Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a combination of drugs used to kill cancer cells in the body. However, every type of cancer has a different combination of chemotherapy drugs. Chemo drugs, besides killing cancer cells, also kill and destroy other normal cells. This results in many side effects.

Common side effects of Chemotherapy.

Side effects of chemotherapy vary with the drug used to treat the type of cancer. And each patient experiences side effects that differ from patient to patient. Although some side effects are the same in all patients, which we will discuss further, the management of these side effects is almost the same for all patients.

Nausea and vomiting:

Chemotherapy drugs cause nausea because these drugs interfere with the lining of the gastrointestinal wall as well as affect some functions in the brain, due to which patients feel nausea and vomiting.

Moreover, to avoid and prevent nausea and vomiting patient should be given medications for vomiting before chemotherapy administration. Secondly, offer patient with small meals instead of large meals.

Further, the diet should be simple and must consist of fruits and food which should be less in amount but high in calories. The environment of the patient should be neat and clean, so that the patient feels fresh while having a diet and food.

Decrease Blood Counts: (as a side effect of chemotherapy)

Chemotherapy drugs, besides killing cancer cells, also destroy normal cells, which results in low white blood cells, platelets, and Hemoglobin. This condition is referred to as pancytopenia in medical terminology.

Decrease white blood count: (Chemotherapy and its common side effects:)

A decrease in white cell count is called neutropenia. Due to the low white count, the patient will be at high risk for infection. White blood cells usually work against infections in the body.

Low Platelet Count: Chemotherapy and its common side effects:

Generally, it functions to stop bleeding. Decrease in the platelet count, patients are pronged for bleeding (Patients can bleed very easily). This condition is called thrombocytopenia.

DecreaseHemoglobin Level:

Hemoglobin carries oxygen from the lungs to cells for energy production. If the HB level drops below normal, the patient will feel tired and have a low energy level.

Skin Discoloration: (As a side effect of chemotherapy)

Some chemotherapy drugs cause skin discoloration and skin pigmentation. This causes the skin to be sensitive to the sun or any topical medications.

Lethargy:

As chemotherapy fights and destroys cancer cells and normal cells, it may result in a low energy level in the patient. It may also be due to low oral food intake due to nausea and vomiting.

Loose motion: Chemotherapy and its common side effects:

(Chemo drugs destroy cells of the intestine or internal mucosal lining, so the patient suffers from loose motions.

Constipation:

Some chemotherapy drugs cause constipation. This may be caused by a lack of physical activity due to low energy levels, or some patients avoid oral intake; this decreased oral intake leads to constipation/hard stools. To avoid hard stools patient should take juices and fluids.

Moreover, constipation causes a tear in the rectal lining, which further leads to infection and rectal bleeding. Secondly, constipation leads to decreased gut motility, which further leads to decrease apprtite and low oral intake.

Headache: Chemotherapy and its common side effects:

Some patients experience severe headaches, which may be due to low sugar levels or decreased fluid intake, which leads to dehydration.

Furthermore, to avoid dehydration, encourage the patient to take oral fluids before, during, and after chemotherapy. The fluid can be given in the form of intravenous while the patient is hospitalized.

Healthcare providers should take good care of the patient during chemotherapy. However, instruct the patient to have a water bottle all the time with him.

Moreover, effective teaching regarding symptoms and complications of dehydration should be given to the patient before the chemotherapy treatment.

Furthermore, severe dehydration can lead to life-threatening situations such as decreased water volume in the body, low blood pressure, dry skin, low urine output, and dry lips.

Fever: Chemotherapy and its common side effects:

White blood cells normally function to fight against infections. However, chemotherapy drug destroys the cancer cells as well as normal white blood cells.

A decrease in WBC count in patients who have low immunity can lead to infections very easily. For example, any blood infection, infection in urine, and respiratory infections like flu, COVID- 19 or pneumonia. Fever is a sign of infection. Consult your doctor immediately.

Hair Fall: Chemotherapy and its common side effects:

Drugs used in cancer treatment usually destroy fast-growing cells. In the human body, hair cells are fast-growing cells, so drugs destroy the root cells of hair, resulting in hair loss.

Low Mood: Chemotherapy and its common side effects:

Drugs used in the treatment of cancer can have some effects on brain cells, which result in low mood. This may also occur as cancer itself is a serious disease, due to which the patient can have a depressed mood and may experience anxiety and depression.

When to contact a physician?

Contact your concerned doctor in case of the following symptoms. Ignoring the following signs can lead to serious emergencies.

If the patient has a fever equal to or more than 101F.

Severe loose motions to avoid or prevent dehydration

uncontrol nausea and vomiting to prevent malnutrition

If your skin color is getting paler day by day, do not delay contact with your healthcare provider.

Nosebleeds (epistaxis), blood in the stool (hematochezia and blood in the urine called hematuria.

Hence, chemotherapy causes many side effects. Some home remedies may manage these side effects very well. For example In case of loose motions, use KYB DIET (khichdi, banana, and yogurt) and can take oral rehydration solution (ORS) at home.

Avoid a high-fiber diet, milk, and milk products, which may worsen the diarrhea. Moreover, if the diarrhea worsens, consult your doctor as soon as possible to prevent further complications such as dehydration.

A patient’s care in a special period called the neutropenic phase is very critical. Good care in the neutropenic phase at home can prevent frequent hospital admissions and visits.