Cancer treatment like chemotherapy can prolong a patient's life by eliminating cancer but it causes a lot of side effects. Chemotherapy kills regular cells as well as cancer cells. This affects the bone marrow making it harder to fight many types of infections. Thus doctors check patients' WBCs count often. Many people experience the adverse effects of cancer treatment. Following are the most common side effects of cancer treatment.

A Weakened Immune System

Cancer treatment can weaken the immune system. Because the drug use in chemotherapy kills healthy immune cells, it can make a person exposed to infection. Because of this, any infections last longer than usual. Eating healthy food frequently & washing hands regularly can avoid anyone with infectious illness.

Bruising and Bleeding

Chemotherapy can cause a patient to bruise or bleed often. Many people experience this side effect. Bleeding heavily than usual can be dangerous and it is better to take precautions like wearing gloves during daily chores. In case bleeding gets worse, it is wise to contact your doctor immediately.

Nausea and Vomiting

It is very common that nausea and vomiting can start suddenly. This can happen right after each chemotherapy session. Change in your eating habits such as eating smaller meals can help to avoid this. If a person experiences the side effects at certain intervals, anti nausea medications are prescribed.

Rash

A Weakened immune system can cause rashes and other skin problems. Also, the drugs used for chemotherapy can trigger skin changes directly. Rashes can cause painful itching, making a patient scratches until the skin bleeds. This increases the risk of infection. Moisturizing lotions and anti-itch creams may help in this.

Constipation and Diarrhea

Cancer treatment may trigger digestion problems because it can damage cells that help digestion. Also, chemotherapy can force people to change their diets which also causes constipation and diarrhea. Some remedies like stool softener or fiber supplements can reduce the intensity of these side effects.

Hair Loss

Chemotherapy can damage hair follicles, causing the major hair to fall by weakening hair. Even if any hair that regrows may be of a different texture and color. This continues until the treatment ends after that hair regrows.

These are the most common side effects of cancer treatment. We suggest you should rush to your doctor immediately if these side effects get worse.