Many people, when diagnosed with cancer, have to deal with chemotherapy treatments and the side effects that go along with such treatments. Side effects can include nausea and vomiting, hair loss, weight gain and/or loss just to name a few. So the question is, why does chemotherapy cause side effects like these? To understand the side effects, we must first look at how cancer affects the body and then how chemotherapy is used and what it does to the body.
Cancer and Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is prescribed in many cancer cases to stop the rapid spread of malignant cancer cells, which can spread to other ares of the body fairly quickly. Left untreated, cancer rapidly spreads into surrounding vital organs, and this is where chemotherapy is necessary to slow and at times stop the spread to these organs. Chemotherapy specifically attacks these rapidly multiplying cells, but it also kills other good cells, which is what causes side effects.
Chemotherapy Short-Term Effects
Chemotherapy fights cancer by destroying any and all cells that reproduce in a quick manner. Unfortunately, that includes the red and white blood cells and any and all of the other good cells we need to live. Chemotherapy is not selective in what it kills, as it does not know the difference between the good cells and the bad. Because of this, the good cells that would normally work to keep the body functioning are weakened, and this can lead to the adverse side-effects chemotherapy patients suffer. Some things that are affected in the short-term by chemo are the mucus linings of your mouth, the cells that make up the hair and all the lining and acids of the gastrointestinal tract.
Permanent Effects
There is usually no permanent cell damage from chemotherapy. After the treatments are over, the body returns to its normal state. Sometimes there is permanent damage to reproductive organs and kidneys. However, these cases are rare.
Reducing Side Effects
It is important to take your doses of chemotherapy as scheduled and on time to reduce the chances of permanent damage to your tissues. You can also reduce your side effects by staying hydrated, using relaxation routines, participating in regular exercise and eating healthy. Talk to your doctor about your chemo treatments and ask what you can do to reduce your side effects.
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