Radiation therapy is an effective treatment for many forms of cancer. While it does a good job of killing cancer cells, it can also damage surrounding tissues. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), this tissue damage can lead to diarrhea, fatigue, hair loss, nausea, and/or vomiting. You may notice changes in your mouth, throat, and skin. Radiation therapy can also impair sexual, urinary, and bowel function. The more you know about potential side effects, the better prepared you'll be to deal with problems as they arise.
Instructions
1. Exercise regularly. According to the American Cancer Society, moderate exercise will help relieve fatigue from the radiation therapy and improve your quality of life. Take a short walk several times a week, try a gentle form of exercise such as yoga, and participate in outings you enjoy.
2. Balance physical exercise and rest. It's important to get a good night's sleep, and to rest periodically throughout the day if you need it. Identify activities that are important to you, and make them your priority. Don't be afraid to talk with family and friends about helping out so you don't overexert yourself.
3. Plan your meals carefully. While it's important to eat a well-balanced diet, some foods will make your symptoms worse. Too much fiber may worsen your diarrhea, for example, while spicy foods can be painful if you have mouth sores. Eating five or six smaller meals a day might help reduce nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
4. Drink plenty of liquids. If you have diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting, it's easy to get dehydrated. Plan on drinking eight to 10 glasses of water a day, and avoid beverages like alcohol or caffeine that contribute to dehydration.
5. Decide manage hair loss. Unlike chemotherapy, which leads to hair loss over your whole body, radiation therapy affects only the body part(s) touched by the X-rays. If you have brain cancer, you may lose hair from your head. Think about whether you want to purchase a wig, wear colorful scarves, or go au naturel.
6. Ask for emotional support. You may feel angry, irritable, depressed, or isolated during the course of your radiation treatments. Don't be afraid to ask family members, friends, and colleagues to help you by visiting, talking on the phone, or joining you for a short walk.
Tags: hair loss, nausea vomiting, short walk
