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Chemotherapy
Side Effects - Understanding what they are
The side effects of
chemo generally depend on the type of therapy being
offered and amount of drugs being used. Some
chemotherapy side effects cease after treatment. Some
treatments produce long-term effects.
Chemotherapy acts by
killing cells that divide rapidly, (fast growing
cells). This is one of the main properties of
cancer cells. This means that it also
harms cells that divide rapidly under normal
circumstances: cells in the bone marrow, digestive
tract and hair follicles; this results in the most
common side-effects of chemotherapy–decreased
production of blood cells, inflammation of the lining
of the digestive tract) and hair loss.
One of the most
debilitating of these side effects is neuropathy, or
nerve damage.
For more information on neuropathy, see Chemo
Induced Neuropathy. For what to take
to help this side effect go to Just tell me what to
take for chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy
Side Effects:
Abdominal Pain -
this can be a dull ache, cramping, or sharp pain.
Chemo can cause both increased (rapid) and decreased
(slow) motility of the intestines resulting in the
digestion process moving too quickly or too slowly
through the intestines. Going too quickly can result
in cramps and diarrhea. Going too slowly can result in
the backup, putrification with resultant toxicity and
gas (flatulence). Chemo can destroy the normal
bacteria and flora necessary for proper digestion. The
food is not properly broken down for digestion
Acid Indigestion
Acid Reflux
Allergic Reactions
Alopecia - Loss of hair. See Hair loss
Anaphylasix
Anemia - Chemo drugs are designed to effect
fast growing cells. Bone marrow is where blood cells are
made. It is supposed to replace worn out blood cells.
Thus, as worn out cells die, there is not enough
replacement cells, thus leading to anemia.
Anxiety
Appetite, Lack Of
Arthralgias
Asthenia
Ataxia
Arthralgias
Asthenia
Ataxia - the drug effects nerve cells. Nerve
cells are very sensitive as they are the communication
line of the body which relays messages including
feeling. The nerve cells are actually more
sensitive to the chemo drug then the cancer cells.
When the nerve damaged is a nerve connected to a motor
nerve, the body's balance and coordination is
effected. Ataxia is defined as "inability
to coordinate voluntary muscle movements; unsteady
movements and staggering gait"
Azotemia
Balance & Mobility
Changes - See Ataxia above
Bilirubin Blood Level
Bone Pain
Bladder Problems
Bleeding Problems
Blood Clots - This article explains the symptoms and
also the reason the Chemotherapy
can cause blood clots
Blood Pressure Changes
Blood Test Abnormalities
Breathing Problems
Bronchitis
Bruising
Cancer - See Article on Side
Effects of Cancer Treatment (this is mostly
radiation therapy but we wanted to add it in for you.
Cardiotoxicity
Cardovascular Events
Cataracts
Central Neurotoxicity
Chemo Brain - This is also called Chemo Fog. The latest findings on this indicates that it is due to a nerve damage in the brain. If this is the case, it is worth checking out our
nerve damage recommendation You can read about these findings on
Chemo Brain
Chest Pain
Chills - See Anemia
Cognitive Problems
Cold Symptoms
Confusion - See Chemo Brain
Conjunctivitis
Constipation
Cough
Cramping
Cystitis
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Dehydration
Depression
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Drug Reaction
Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry Mouth
Dry Skin - Skin are fast growing cells.
The toxins in chemotheraphy are designed to kill fast
growing cells as cancer are fast growing
cells. Thus the new layer of skin is being
damaged.
Dyspepsia
Dyspenia
Early Satiety
Edema
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) Changes
Electrolyte Imbalance
Esophagitis
Eye Problems
Fatigue
Feeling Faint
Fertility
Fever
Flatulence - goes with abdominal pain,
see above.
Flu-like Symptoms - See Anemia
Flushing
Gas
Gastric Reflux
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Genital Pain
Glaucoma
Granulocytopenia
Gynecomastia
Hair Loss - Chemo drugs are target fast
growing cells as cancer cells are fast growing cells.
Hair is fast growing cells and thus there is hair
loss.
Hand-Foot Syndrome
Headache
Hearing Loss - the chemo drugs damage the tiny hair
cells in the inner ear that vibrate in response to
sound waves. It is called ototoxicity
Hearing Problems
Heart Failure
Heart Palpitations
Heart Problems
Heart Rhythm Changes
Heart Burn
Hematoma
Hemorrhagic
Cystitis
Hepatotoxicity
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High Liver Enzymes
Hyperamylasemia
(High Amylase)
Hypercalcemia
(High Calcium)
Hyperchloremia
(High Chloride)
Hyperglycemia
(High Blood Sugar)
Hyperkalemia
(High Potassium)
Hyperlipasemia
(High Lipase)
Hypermagnesemia
(High Magnesium)
Hypernatremia
(High Sodium)
Hyperphosphatemia
(High Phosphous)
Hyperpigmentation
Hypersensitivity
Skin Reactions
Hypertriglyceridemia
(High Triglycerides)
Hyperuricemia
(High Uric Acid)
Hypoalbuminemia
(Low Albumin)
Hypocalcemia
(Low Calcium)
Hypochloremia
(Low Chloride)
Hypoglycemia
(Low Blood Sugar)
Hypokalemia
(Low Potassium)
Hypomagnesemia
(Low Magnesium)
Hyponatremia
(Low Sodium)
Hypophosphatemia
(Low Phosphous)
Impotenence
Inccoordination
Infection
Injection Site Reactions
Injury
Insomnia
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Itching
Joint Pain
Kidney Problems
Leukopenia
Libido, Loss of
Liver Dysfunction
Liver Problems
Low Blood Counts
Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
Low Platelet Count
Low Red blood Cell Count - See Anemia
Low White Blood Cell Count
Lung Problems
Memory Loss
Menopause
Metallic Taste
Mouth Sores
Mucositis
Muscle Pain
Myalgias
Myelosuppression
Myocariditis
Nail Changes
Nausea
Nephrotoxicity
Nervousness
Neuropathy
Neutropenia
Neutropenic Fever
Nosebleeds
Ototoxicity
Pain
Palmer-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia (PPE)
Pancytopenia
Pericarditis
Peripheral Neuropathy
Pharyngitis
Photophobia
Photosensitivity
Pneumonia
Pneumonitis
Post-nasal Drip
Proteinuria
Pulmonary Embolus (PE)
Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary Toxicity
Radiation Recall
Rash
Rapid Heart Beat
Rectal Bleeding
Restlessness
Rhinitis
Ringing Ears (Tinnitus)
Runny Nose
Sadness
Seizures
Sexuality
Shortness of Breath
Sinusistis
Skin Reactions
Sleep Problems
Sore Mouth
Stomach Sour
Stomach Upset
Stomatitis
Swelling
Taste Changes
Thrombocytopenia
Thyroid Hormone Levels
Tingling
Tinnitus
Trouble Sleeping
Urinary Tract Infection
Vaginal Bleeding
Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal Infection
Vertigo
Vomiting
Water Retention
Watery Eyes
Weakness
Weight Changes
Weight Gain
Weight Loss
Xerostomia
Here is an article
on Chemotherapy
Side Effects which takes its information from
articles from the American Cancer Society.
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We have used our best judgment in compiling this information. The Food and Drug Administration may not have evaluated the information presented. Any reference to a specific product is for your information only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease
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