Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill or slow cancer cells but can also affect healthy cells, causing side effects like hair loss, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, and weakened immunity. The medicine is given through IV drip, injections, pills, or creams. A recent Quora query asked how soon side effects appear after treatment. Dr Amit Upadhyay, Senior Consultant Haematologist and Oncologist at PSRI Hospital, explains that side effects can start within hours to days after a session, depending on drug type, dosage, age, overall health, and metabolism. Nausea and fatigue often appear within 24 hours, while hair loss typically starts after two to three weeks. Warning signs like high fever, severe vomiting, difficulty breathing, or infection symptoms require immediate medical attention. Patients can manage early side effects through hydration, balanced meals, rest, prescribed anti-nausea medications, and gentle physical activity. Side effects vary with each cycle; some patients adapt over time while others experience cumulative fatigue.
Timeline and Management of Chemotherapy Side Effects
Side effects begin as early as a few hours to a couple of days after chemotherapy, depending on drug type and dosage. Nausea, vomiting, and fatigue often appear first, within the initial 24 hours, as drugs temporarily affect the stomach lining, bone marrow, and energy systems. Hair loss usually starts after two to three weeks since it takes time for drugs to impact hair follicles. Patients should watch for warning signs like high fever, severe vomiting, difficulty breathing, persistent diarrhoea, or infection symptoms such as redness or swelling at the injection site. Managing early side effects involves staying hydrated, eating small balanced meals, taking prescribed anti-nausea medications on time, resting adequately, and engaging in gentle activities like short walks to boost energy and mood.
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