When observing personal symptoms that may conceivably lead to a diagnosis of cancer, it is difficult to keep one’s mind from imagining the worst of scenarios. And it doesn’t help that some of the treatments associated with different forms of cancer have their own sets of risks and consequences. Chemotherapy is among them.

Chemotherapy effects can be intense depending on the types of drugs being administered, the dose and the general vitality of the patient. Healthy cells that reproduce rapidly, like the cells in the bone marrow, stomach, mouth, hair and intestines, are very susceptible to the damage caused by chemotherapy. This is why so many of the side effects of chemotherapy impact these areas of the body.

And while one individual may experience certain and strong discomforts, another may have no difficulty at all. The effects of chemotherapy depend not only on your dosage, illness and drug, but also on your own physical strength and current health. The noticeable impacts can also vary in their intensity or change over the course of your chemotherapy treatment.

Keep reading for a breakdown of some of the most common chemotherapy effects - but remember that just because they’re common doesn’t mean they will always occur.

Nausea and Vomiting

An upset stomach, feelings of nausea or vomiting are some of the most common drawbacks associated with chemotherapy treatments. Many of the drugs used in various treatments sessions actually stimulate the chemoreceptor trigger zone of the brain - an area that controls the vomiting reflex.

Usually, if an upset stomach or vomiting occurs, it happens within a few hours or that same day. Thankfully, it also only lasts for a brief stretch of time.

Diarrhea

Having loose or watery stools more than three times a day is diarrhea and a common result of chemotherapy. The drugs attack the frequently reproducing cells that line your intestines - therefore inhibiting their ability to do their job. Diarrhea is often intermittent, but if it continues for more than a few days, you should consult with your doctor immediately.

Mouth Sores

The inside of the mouth can be injured by chemotherapy as these cells are continually regenerating. The lining may bleed and sores can develop, making the mouth area susceptible to infections. The throat and esophagus are also prone to becoming sore. To protect your mouth from infection, practice good oral hygiene.

To soothe a sore mouth, use a cotton swab to apply milk of magnesia to mouth sores, eat soft foods cold or at room temperature, avoid acidic foods or, if none of this works, talk to your doctor about a pain medication.

Hair Loss

Not all chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss, and some drugs only produce minimal thinning of the hair. Some people lose just the hair from their heads while others lose it all over their bodies. Again, it depends on the drug, the dose and the individual.

Hair loss won’t happen immediately and typically starts gradually, eventually escalating to hair coming out in larger clumps. It is one of the most dreaded chemotherapy effects, but it’s also temporary.

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