What should i know about chemotherapy

Taking ginger or ginger supplements may help increase the effectiveness of antiemetics, according to one study. Some people may experience hair loss , or their hair may become thin or brittle a few weeks after starting some types of chemotherapy. It can affect any part of the body. Wearing a special cap can keep the scalp cool during chemotherapy treatment, which may help prevent or reduce hair loss.

However, if the treatment needs to reach the scalp, this will not be possible. A counselor may offer advice about obtaining a hairpiece or another suitable covering. Most people find that their hair grows back once they have finished treatment. The skin may become dry and sore and oversensitive to sunlight. People should take care in direct sunlight, including:. Learn more here. Some people may experience fatigue. They may experience this most of the time or only after certain activities.

People who experience severe tiredness should talk to their doctor, as this could be a sign of anemia. The toxins in some types of chemotherapy can affect the nervous system, leading to:. Chemotherapy can cause the number of white blood cells, which help protect the body from infection, to fall. This leads to a weakening of the immune system and a higher risk of infections.

A doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help reduce the risk. This means the blood will no longer clot as well as it usually does. People should take extra care when doing activities such as cooking, gardening, or shaving to reduce the risk of injuring themselves. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all the tissues in the body.

Chemotherapy can cause levels of red blood cells to fall. This will lead to anemia. Consuming extra iron may help the body may more red blood cells. People can take in extra iron from their diet. Good food sources include:. Anyone who experiences severe or worsening symptoms of anemia should call their doctor. Some people may need a blood transfusion. Mucositis, or inflammation of the mucous membrane, can affect any part of the digestive system, from the mouth to the anus.

Oral mucositis affects the mouth. It often appears 7—10 days after starting treatment. Research shows they work to help kill cancer cells. There are more than chemo drugs used today. Doctors choose certain drugs based on the kind of cancer you have and its stage how much cancer is in your body.

Chemo can be used for different reasons. Your doctor will discuss these with you before you start treatment. The body is made up of trillions of normal healthy cells.

Cancer starts when something causes changes in a normal cell. This cancer cell then grows out of control and makes more cancer cells. Each type of cancer affects the body in different ways. If cancer is not treated, it can spread and affect the rest of your body. Your treatment plan will depend on things such as the type of cancer you have and what the aim of treatment is. In most cases, chemotherapy is given directly into a vein.

This is known as intravenous chemotherapy. This usually involves medicine being given slowly from a bag of fluid that's attached with a tube to one of your veins. The time it takes to get a dose of intravenous chemotherapy can range from several hours to several days.

You'll need to go into hospital at the start of each treatment session to get the tablets and have a check-up, but you can take the medicine at home. Make sure you follow the instructions given by your care team. Taking too much or not enough medicine may reduce its effectiveness and could be dangerous. Contact your care team if you have any problems with your medicine, such as forgetting to take a tablet or being sick shortly after taking one.

Women should avoid becoming pregnant while having chemotherapy, as many chemotherapy medicines can cause birth defects. Use a barrier method of contraception, such as a condom , and contact your care team immediately if you think you may have become pregnant.

It may be given once a day, once a week, once a month, or more than one day in a row. A: Chemo can cause many different side effects depending on the drug, the dose, other medical problems a person has, and how they react to it. Most side effects go away over time after treatments end, but some can last longer. The cancer care team can help you know what to expect and how to deal with them. The more common chemo side effects include:.

Not every person gets every side effect. You can read about more cancer side effects on cancer.