Chemotherapy drugs are powerful medications meant to kill life-threatening cancer cells. At the same time, they kill healthy cells in the body, which leads to a plethora of side effects that patients must contend with. The American Cancer Society reports that not everyone experiences the same level of side effects.
Fatigue
Most chemotherapy patients experience some level of fatigue that no amount of rest can resolve. Depression, pain and poor eating habits add to the tired feelings.
Skin
Some chemotherapy drugs cause skin irritations such as rashes or dry, itchy skin. The skin may turn yellowish or develop red sores around the fingernails and toenails.
Mental
Mental side effects include cloudy thinking, memory loss and trouble concentrating. Some patients experience slower thinking processes and have trouble doing more than one thing at a time.
Hair Loss
Chemotherapy can cause hair loss on the entire body. Hair loss ranges from thinning on the scalp to complete baldness, depending on the patient and the type of drugs administered, report doctors at the Mayo Clinic.
Decreased appetite
Appetite is often reduced for a number of reasons, including changes in the taste buds. Mouth and throat sores also interfere with eating, further reducing many patients' desire to eat.
Nausea
Nausea is a common side effect among patients receiving chemotherapy treatments and can be followed by vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. An upset stomach, queasiness and heartburn also are common digestive side effects.
