It should go away in 2 to 3 weeks. Your appetite may continue to be affected due to taste changes you may have experienced during your treatment. Your taste should go back to normal 1 to 2 months after chemotherapy.
Full Answer
Is bloating a side effect of cancer treatment?
It’s one thing to feel overly full after a large celebratory meal, but unfortunately, for many patients in cancer treatment, bloating doesn’t just come with a holiday, but instead is an unpleasant side effect of cancer therapy.
How long do chemotherapy side effects last?
Side effects may appear during therapy and can last long after therapy is over. In some cases, long-term chemotherapy side effects may not occur until months or years after treatment. Some chemotherapy complications may be permanent, while others may subside with time.
How long does it take to recover from chemo?
4 Weeks into Chemo – Lost all my hair Recovery: Lets start with the last day of chemo… After 1 week– My saliva went back to normal After 2 weeks– My taste and smell came back and all stomach related symptoms went away After 3 weeks– My hearing normalized
How does chemotherapy work for cancer?
Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment. It works by using strong drugs to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells, which grow and divide more quickly than many healthy cell types. However, it’s still possible for chemotherapy to target healthy cells that also divide quickly.
How do I get rid of bloating after chemo?
Gas and bloating during cancer treatmentEat and drink slowly.Avoid gas forming foods such as beans, carbonated drinks, onions, cabbage, and broccoli.Exercise mildly to help move gas from the bowel. ... Avoid drinking through a straw to prevent swallowing air.Avoid chewing gum to avoid swallowing air.More items...
How do you get rid of chemo belly?
Try eating bland, easily digestible foods and drinks. Pay attention to your body and eat at times when you are least likely to have nausea. Eat small, frequent meals and snacks throughout the day. Stay away from foods and drinks with strong smells.
Is bloating normal after chemo?
Chemotherapy and radiation can prevent the small intestine from producing enough of the body's required enzyme lactase, which can lead to bloating, gassiness, cramping or diarrhea when foods with lactose are eaten.
How long does fluid retention last after chemo?
Fluid retention after chemotherapy is usually mild and tends to go away once treatment ends. However, if puffiness or swelling persists after chemotherapy it's important to let our staff know so that we can help you manage the condition.
Does chemo cause gas and bloating?
Chemotherapy may also alter the normal bacterial flora that is present in the intestines. This can affect digestion and cause abdominal pain, cramping or flatulence (gas).
How long after chemo does your body get back to normal?
Most people say it takes 6 to 12 months after they finish chemotherapy before they truly feel like themselves again.
How do I fix bloating?
Beat The BloatEat slowly, and consume smaller, more frequent meals.Chew your foods well.Drink beverages at room temperature.Have your dentures checked for a good fit.Increase physical activity during the day.Sit up straight after eating.Take a stroll after eating.
How do I deal with bloating?
How to reduce bloatingexercise regularly to improve your digestion and help prevent bloating – exercise can also help when you're feeling bloated.chew with your mouth closed to avoid swallowing air.drink plenty of water.eat foods high in fibre if constipated.eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of large meals.More items...
Why do I have so much gas after chemo?
Gas can happen if you're having other digestive issues such as constipation or diarrhea. Chemotherapy medications you may be taking to treat breast cancer can cause gas by speeding up or slowing down your digestion. This can increase the amount of gas released in the stomach, which can increase belching or flatulence.
Why do chemo patients swell up?
Chemotherapy-related, or cancer swelling: It is a vascular reaction that causes an increased ability for fluid in the cells to "leak" into the layers of the skin, resulting in swelling. This happens much less often than hives alone. The fluid retention causes swelling generally in the tongue, lips, or eyelids.
Is it normal to gain weight after chemo?
Chemotherapy can lead to weight gain by: Causing the body to hold on to excess fluid, called edema. Causing fatigue, making it harder to exercise. Increasing nausea that improves by eating more food.
How long does fluid retention last?
Swelling normally lasts for a few days. In the first two days, you will experience the most swelling, and it should start to reduce by the third day. Following treatment from your healthcare provider reduces the amount of swelling you might experience.
Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance
The Ovarian Cancer Support Community connects patients, families, friends and caregivers for support and inspiration. This community is sponsored by the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, an Inspire trusted partner.
About this Community
The Ovarian Cancer Support Community connects patients, families, friends and caregivers for support and inspiration. This community is sponsored by the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, an Inspire trusted partner.
How long does chemo rash last?
Some side effects of chemotherapy only happen while you're having treatment and disappear quickly after it's over. But others can linger for months or years or may never completely go away. Watch out for signs of chemo's long-term changes, and let your doctor know how you feel.
How to lose weight after chemo?
Work with a dietitian or nutritionist and add strength training exercises to your workout routine to help you shed some pounds. Energy. You probably remember the fatigue that hit you while you were getting chemo. But some people still feel extremely tired after treatment ends.
Can chemo cause fertility issues?
Fertility. Chemotherapy can affect your ability to have children, whether you're a man or woman. For guys, the reason has to do with the way chemo drugs target fast-growing cancer cells. Since healthy sperm cells divide quickly, chemo can also damage them.
Does chemo cause heart problems?
Heart. Certain chemo drugs can damage cells in your heart. Chemotherapy may also increase your odds of having heart problems, such as: Weakening of the heart muscle ( cardiomyopathy) Problems with your heart rhythm ( arrhythmia) Heart attack.
Does hair go back to normal after chemo?
But it's possible that at first it may not look like it used to. Its texture, shape, and color may be different. Over time, as the effects of the chemo on your hair follicles wear off, your hair will probably go back to the way it was before treatment. In rare cases, such as after years of strong chemotherapy, your hair follicles could shut down.
Does chemo make you gain weight?
Weight. Some types of chemo can make you put on extra pounds. You may find that the weight stays on even when your treatment ends. For instance, some drugs that treat breast cancer can cause you to lose muscle and gain fat, which makes it much more difficult to get the weight off.
Can you have children after chemo?
If chemo kills the immature stem cells in your testicles that become new sperm, you may become infertile, which means you can't have children . If you're a woman, chemotherapy can damage your eggs and harm your ovaries. You may stop having regular menstrual cycles after treatment.
Bone conditions
Chemotherapy drugs may contribute to bone conditions, including osteoporosis, a thinning of the bones.
Heart-related conditions
Chemotherapy may cause late side effects in the heart for some people, such as:
Cognitive problems
A group of cognitive issues, sometimes known as “chemo brain,” may occur as a late side effect of chemotherapy in some people. Cognitive issues may include problems with memory, concentration, or focus.
Mental health conditions
Mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and issues with body image, are common in cancer survivors. Research from 2018 notes that up to 20% of people with cancer experience depression, four times as common as the general population.
Hair loss
Hair loss is common with chemotherapy treatment. Research from 2017 notes that up to 65% of people on chemotherapy experience hair loss. This percentage may also increase depending on the drug.
Fatigue
Fatigue occurs with chemotherapy treatment but may also linger after treatment. If long-term fatigue is ongoing after chemotherapy, a person should talk to a doctor to explore possible reasons or options for managing symptoms.
Endocrine symptoms
Cancer treatments that affect the endocrine system may cause a person to have symptoms of menopause, such as:
Nutrition Services for Cancer Patients
Nutrition is an important part of life, cancer treatment, recovery, and prevention. Food is one of the few things you can be in control of during your treatment.
Managing Gas and Bloating During Cancer Treatment
Choose the right fibers when you have Gas, Bloating, and/or Diarrhea—and always remember to chew your foods very well!
Recipes
In honor of Colon Cancer Awareness month, we'll be featuring four colorectal cancer friendly recipes each week during the month of March.
For Health Care Professionals
Our dietitians are available for 45 minute consults by appointment only on: Mondays – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
How to get rid of swollen ankles and hands?
Eat bananas and raisins. They’re high in potassium, which helps your body eliminate fluid. Use a bag of frozen veggies or a cold towel on swollen ankles and hands. Try CV Skinlabs Body Repair Lotion. It’s full of anti-inflammatory and antihistamine ingredients to help calm swollen and stressed skin.
How to get rid of swollen feet?
If your feet or legs are swollen, elevate them as often as possible by sitting in a reclining chair or on a couch with your feet up on pillows. Try not to stand for long periods at a time. Avoid tight clothing, and consider stockings and hose that are made for managing fluid retention (ask your doctor or nurse).
Why does cancer cause fluid retention?
Cancer and cancer treatments can cause fluid retention for several reasons, including: 1) hormonal changes from your therapy ; 2) the effects of the drugs themselves (many drugs can cause fluid retention);
How do you know if you are short of breath?
If you have one or more of these symptoms, be sure to check with your doctor right away, especially if you’re short of breath, the swelling seems to move up your arms or legs, it built up really quickly, or your hands or feet feel cold to the touch.
How do you know if you have a swollen stomach?
If your hands, legs, face, or stomach have swollen up, you can probably recognize it visually, or you may have noticed the weight gain. You can also check for these signs: When you press on the skin over the swollen area, it leaves an indentation for a few seconds.
How to get rid of fluid in your body?
Your doctor may prescribe medications that can help your body release the fluid. Otherwise, try some of these remedies at home: Cut down on your salt intake-try not to eat salt at all. Be especially careful of canned soups, lunch meats, bacon and ham, soy sauce, potato chips, and the like.
Where does swelling occur?
Usually the swelling will occur in the hands, feet, ankles, face, and abdomen , though it can occur anywhere. Swelling may also occur as part of an allergic reaction to medications or other substances.
What are the side effects of chemotherapy?
When this happens, it can lead to side effects like lowered immunity, hair loss, and nausea or vomiting. There are certain precautions that you can take to limit your side effects and help make treatment safer. We’ll explore nine things to avoid during chemotherapy treatment.
How to avoid contact with body fluids?
Here are a few tips for a avoiding contact: Wash your hands. Thoroughly wash and dry your hands after using the bathroom or after coming into contact with any body fluids that may contain chemotherapy drugs. Flush twice.
How to stop chemotherapy?
Avoid gyms. Since chemotherapy can weaken your immune system, it’s a good idea to avoid crowded gyms during your treatment. Know when to stop. If you experience symptoms like shortness of breath or chest pain during your workout, stop the workout and speak with your doctor about other ways to stay active.
How does chemotherapy work?
It works by using strong drugs to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells, which grow and divide more quickly than many healthy cell types. However, it’s still possible for chemotherapy to target healthy cells that also divide quickly. Some examples include cells in the digestive tract, immune system, ...
What to do during chemotherapy?
These include things like eating a nutritious diet, staying active, and using support services like counseling and support groups. Last medically reviewed on May 5, 2021.
Why is it important to keep up with your body during chemotherapy?
Because of this, you’ll need to have extra calories and protein in your diet.
Can chemotherapy cause skin to be sensitive to UV light?
It’s possible that chemotherapy may cause your skin to become more sensitive to UV light, which is found in both natural sunlight and in tanning beds. In this case, exposure to UV light can lead to burning and skin reactions.