Loss of Appetite
Chemotherapy can cause some side effects such as nausea, vomiting, pain, diarrhea, and hair loss.
Chemotherapy can also cause a sore throat and dry mouth, causing pain and difficulty eating and swallowing.
This can cause loss of appetite, and long-term effects can lead to excess weight loss and decreased muscle mass.
Complications due to loss of appetite may interfere with treatment, reduce the body's ability to fight infection, and cause general weakness.
Patients are encouraged to consult with a nutritionist to help create a healthy balanced diet plan that can increase appetite and improve nutrient deficiencies.
Changes in taste perception
Perceptions of taste may change due to chemotherapy treatment, especially when combined with radiation therapy.
Changes to this feeling usually only temporary and occurs due to changes in the function of the tongue taste buds.
Most patients complain of a metallic taste chemotherapy that make eating uncomfortable, while other patients complained of food being too sweet or too bitter.
Changes in the perception of taste often make eating more difficult, resulting in weight loss.
Nausea and Vomiting
The two most common side effects of chemotherapy are nausea and vomiting that effect also to decrease appetite.
Frequent vomiting will make eating more difficult. Sporadic nausea and vomiting can lead to total loss of appetite.
If vomiting is severe, stomach and esophagus lining can become irritated and inflammation.
This condition will make vomiting more often in the future because the stomach becomes more difficult to take solid food. Vomiting can also interfere with pain control because of difficulties anti-pain medication.
Although the drug for nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy available, but these drugs may not be suitable for everyone.
Ulceration (wounds) in the Mouth and Throat
Ulcers in the mouth is one of the side effects of chemotherapy are frequent and painful. This condition usually only lasts for a few days to a week after treatment.
The severity of symptoms of ulceration and mouth sores caused by chemotherapy can range from mild discomfort to significant pain.
This condition will cause difficulty eating because of the pain that comes when chewing and swallowing, so that your appetite decreases.
For severe cases, corticosteroids may be prescribed, especially if loss of appetite could potentially lead to malnutrition.