A treatment potent enough to give a fresh lease of life to
someone, Chemotherapy is certainly a remarkable achievement in the field of
modern medicine. AMRI Hospital, the best multispecialty hospital in Salt Lake explains
that it is one of the most effective cancer treatments that use drugs to
destroy cancer cells. However, it is looked upon as a mind-altering and emotionally
challenging treatment. Anyone undergoing chemotherapy would probably be
submerged in a lot of emotions.
As a matter of fact, there are a number of adverse effects
associated with this treatment. Experienced medics at AMRI Hospital enumerate all that side effects you need to know
before undergoing chemotherapy.
Hair Loss (Alopecia)
It is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy,
which usually starts after several weeks of the treatment. The hair may come
out gradually or in large clumps. However, it is a lesser known fact that the
entire body hair (eyelashes, eyebrows, arm hair to the little hairs on your
toes) fall off during the treatment. This makes it one of the hardest side-effects,
especially for women.
Nausea and vomiting
This side-effect depends majorly on the dosage of the drugs
during the treatment. AMRI Hospital
group recommends the patients to be relaxed while receiving chemo as it can
help in controlling nausea and vomiting. Also, there are a number of
anti-nausea/pre-chemo meds like Zofran or Promethazine along with added
anti-anxiety meds like Lorazepam, which can keep this condition under control.
Avoiding greasy, spicy and acidic food is equally effective in combating
nausea.
Dehydration
Keeping yourself hydrated is imperative throughout chemotherapy. It
helps in flushing out the toxins and maintaining overall health. It is equally
important to ensure that every infusion, in and out the patient, includes
pre-chemo meds and hydration. Prevention and early treatment is effective in
keeping a check on the dehydration level.
Anemia
The loss of red blood cells during chemotherapy causes anemia. This
comes with symptoms like heart palpitations, excursions, fatigue and shortness
of breath. AMRI Hospital Group
recommends patients to include iron-rich food items, such as dark green leafy
vegetables, beans, meat, nuts, prunes, raisins, and apricots in their everyday
diet.
Loss of appetite
A significant decline in the appetitive is yet another
common side-effect of chemotherapy. Chemo
therapy results in loss of appetite and body weight as it has a major impact on
the body's metabolism. However, severity is determined by the type of cancer
and chemotherapy treatment. The health experts at AMRI Hospital Saltlake suggest consuming small meals at frequent
intervals to keep up the supply of nutrients to the body.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is another common side-effect associated with
chemotherapy. It mainly occurs when the damaged cells are suddenly expelled
from the body. The symptoms of loose or watery bowel movements can be seen a
few days after the treatment starts.
The severity of side-effects associated with chemotherapy
call for a dire need to ensure appropriate remedial measures. Undergoing a
timely treatment can help you alleviating the damage. It might seem difficult
in the start and probably you will lose hope many-a-times. But all you need is
the right survivorship plan, attitude and will power to embrace and recover.