Chemotherapy, or chemotherapy treatment, is any kind of medical procedure where medications or injections are given directly into the body. The primary purpose of chemotherapy is to rid the body of cancer cells. As a side effect, chemotherapy often causes weight loss.
The first sign of chemotherapy affecting your weight is usually in your hair. When your hair starts falling out, it’s a sign that your body is no longer producing new hairs. This is typically a temporary side effect, and once your hair starts growing back, you’ll probably notice that your weight has also increased. However, if you lose a significant amount of weight, it could be a sign that something else is going on, and you should consult with your doctor.
The Most Common Side Effects Of Chemotherapy
Many people experience a number of side effects from chemotherapy. The most common are:
- Nausea. Nausea is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy. It’s an uncomfortable feeling that occurs when your body is adjusting to the changes induced by the medication. Most people are prescribed anti-nausea medication to help them deal with the side effect. Some individuals experience such severe nausea that they can’t eat or drink without getting sick. This can lead to dangerous weight loss. If you start feeling overly fatigued or weak, or you experience any changes in appetite, it could be a sign that you’re experiencing too much nausea. If this continues for more than a few days, you should consult with your doctor.
- Vomiting. Vomiting is when you throw up. Not all people experience vomiting as a side effect of chemotherapy, but it’s extremely common. Many people experience nausea and vomiting as a result of chemotherapy. When they do, it can be quite the unpleasant experience. Sometimes the medication is given in a different way to avoid causing this side effect. If you’re experiencing nausea and vomiting, it could be a sign that your body is rejecting the medications. If you’re feeling weak or fatigued, or if your appetite has decreased, it could be a sign that the medications are not working as effectively as expected. You should consult with your doctor about this.
- Diarrhea. Diarrhea is also one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy. This refers to excessive or frequent bowel movements, or the need to go to the bathroom frequently. Many individuals experience diarrhea as a side effect of chemotherapy. Sometimes the medication is administered in a different way to prevent or minimize this side effect. Sometimes the diarrhea is so severe that it causes the individual to lose weight rapidly. If you’re experiencing diarrhea, it could be a sign that your body is rejecting the medications. If you’re weak or fatigued, or if your appetite decreases, it could be a sign that the medications are not as effective as hoped for. You should consult with your doctor about this.
- Mucus. Mucus is a thick, clear liquid that lines the inner walls of your lungs and digestive system. It’s not abnormal to have thick, clear mucus in your system. However, when an excessive amount of mucus is produced, this can be a sign of an allergic reaction or an infection. Mucus can also act as a protective coating on the surface of your lungs and digestive system. If you start having trouble breathing, or if you have persistent diarrhea, this could be a sign that you’re experiencing too much mucus. If this is the case, you should consult with your doctor to determine the cause and the best course of treatment.
- Alopecia. This is when your hair starts falling out. Most people don’t experience alopecia as a side effect of chemotherapy, but it’s one of the more common side effects. Individuals who experience this side effect lose their hair in clumps or in large patches. Some experience such severe alopecia that they are unable to hide their baldness easily. If you start experiencing this side effect, it could be a sign that your body is rejecting the medication. You should consult with your doctor about this.
- Thinning Hair. Another side effect of chemotherapy is a gradual loss of hair. Like with alopecia, many people don’t experience this side effect right away, but it can take months or even years to notice this gradually progressing loss of hair. Like with the other side effects, if you start noticing this it could be a sign that your body is rejecting the medication. You should consult with your doctor about this.
- Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition where your bones become thin and weak. This makes it easier for the bone to break or damage potentially causing you to lose a lot of weight. Some people experience osteoporosis as a side effect of chemotherapy. It’s extremely common for individuals who have undergone extensive chemotherapy treatments to develop this side effect. Once you start noticing osteoporosis, it can be difficult to reverse. If you’re wondering if this is something you’ll experience after chemotherapy, the answer is yes, it’s very likely. You should consult with your doctor to determine the best course of treatment.
- Loss Of Appetite. Another side effect of chemotherapy is a loss of appetite. This can occur for many reasons, but most often it’s due to the medication’s effect on the tumour or cancerous cells. Sometimes the medication is administered in a different way to avoid this side effect, but sometimes it happens despite the best efforts of the medical personnel. If you start noticing this side effect, it could be a sign that your body is rejecting the medication. You should consult with your doctor about this.
- Memory Loss. Another side effect of chemotherapy is a loss of memory. Many people experience a significant amount of memory loss as a side effect of chemotherapy. It’s not clear exactly how the medication causes this, but it’s generally accepted that it has something to do with the brain functioning and creating new cells. Sometimes this memory loss is so severe that the individual has to learn new things all over again. This can be really frustrating for the person experiencing this, as well as those around them. If you start noticing a loss of memory it could be a sign that your body is rejecting the medication. You should consult with your doctor about this.
- Constipation.
- Depression.
- Nervousness.
- Dizziness.
- Flu-like Symptoms.
- Trouble Sleeping.
- Frequent Cold / Chills.
- Frequent Urine Testing.
- Heart Condition.
- Allergies.
- Insomnia.
- Loss Of Sex Drive.
- Erectile Dysfunction.
- Premature Aging.
The list of side effects from chemotherapy can go on and on. Many people experience a combination of these side effects. If you start noticing any of them, it could be a sign that your body is rejecting the medication. You should consult with your doctor about this.
What’s The Difference Between Safe And Recommended Doses Of Chemotherapy?
Sometimes the medical personnel administering the chemotherapy don’t give the recommended doses or quantities, but instead try to push as much medication as they can into the body as quickly as possible. Sometimes this can lead to dangerous side effects. To avoid these, the medical personnel will often administer less medication than recommended. The problem is that sometimes the recommended dose turns out to be too much for the person receiving it. So, while it’s good that these doses are safe for most people, not all of them can handle these massive injections all the time. If you start noticing any kind of side effect that might be attributed to the medication, it’s usually recommended to reduce the dosage or stop taking it altogether.
On the other hand, some individuals experience so many positive side effects from chemotherapy that they decide to continue with the treatment. There’s no wrong answer here, as long as the person receiving the chemotherapy is comfortable with the consequences. Sometimes the side effects are so minimal that they’re barely noticeable. In these cases, it’s advised that the individual continue with the treatment as normal.