Regardless of the type of cancer you are fighting, this is a scary and stressful time. While chemotherapy can help eradicate your illness, it can also be scary to face because of all the side effects that are possible. Luckily, most of those side effects can be easily dealt with or avoided by simply understanding them ahead of time, and planning for how you will cope with them should they rear their ugly heads.
There are many side effects that are possible with chemotherapy, and not all of them will be discussed here. However, below you will find the most common side effects that are easy to avoid or combat. Considering these options before the side effects occur will help you prevent them and make the experience one of healing rather than further illness.
The first side effect most people get is loss of appetite. It is important that even if you do not feel like eating that you still get the vitamins and nutrients your body needs to be healthy. The more nutrients you get from your food, the stronger your body will be and the more able it will be to fight off cancer. To increase appetite, make sure that you are not drinking any caffeinated beverages that suppress appetite. You may also be prescribed medication that will increase your appetite. Constipation or diarrhea is also common side effects. You can avoid these side effects by getting plenty of fiber in your diet. If you are constipated, eat prunes or drink prune juice to help, or if you must take a laxative. Just be sure not to wait too long to do something about it. If you are experiencing diarrhea, you can eat cheese or corn to firm up your stools. Again, you can also take medicine if necessary, but it is better to avoid or correct the problem with diet if possible. Anemia is another side effect that people run into with chemo therapy. You can avoid anemia by eating foods high in iron throughout the process. Diet has a lot to do with keeping yourself healthy during this type of treatment.
The next side effect that people get with chemotherapy is nausea. Nausea may be present shortly after a chemo treatment, or when you try to eat. There are many ways that you can combat nausea. There are medications you can take, herbal teas, and other home remedies. One of the things that work that many people do not know about is a motion sickness bracelet. These bracelets help combat nausea without medications that may further weaken your body.
Finally, nearly everyone who takes chemotherapy experiences some level of fatigue. This is when you feel tired and weak all the time. Since you need to avoid caffeine to keep your appetite up, the issue can be compounded and many people wonder how they will ever get energy. The best way is, again, to monitor your diet. Eating a lot of complex carbs like those found in fruits will help give you a bit of energy during the day. Handling the other side effects will also help you get better rest, which will make you feel more energetic.