Unveiling the Side Effects of Radiation Therapy

The side effects of radiation therapy is normal. Even though many of these can be treated or avoided, and the majority will disappear once treatment or therapy is stopped yet it’s hard to know what kind of side effects you’ll get.

Depending on the part of your body being treated and the type of radiotherapy you receive, the severity of the side effects is seen, which can vary from person to person.

Common side effects include the following:

• Skin problems and changes
• Fatigue.
• Sickness
• Hair loss and
• Low blood counts

Additionally, radiation therapy can cause specific side effects that affect specific body parts ranging including the head, chest, and many more.

Radiation therapy can have few or no side effects for some people. While some of you suffer from more severe side effects.  The reactions to radiation therapy typically begin in the second or third week of treatment. And, they might persist for several weeks following your final treatment resulting in long-term side effects as well. Thus, based on duration these can be classified as early and late side effects.

You might experience early side effects during or shortly after treatment. These after-effects will generally be short-term, moderate, and treatable. Such side effects usually disappear within a few weeks. After treatment is finished, skin changes and fatigue are the most frequent early side effects. together with mouth problems and hair loss when treatment is given in this area.

Depending on the prescribed dose and schedule, you may experience one or more radiation-related side effects. When treatment is stopped, most side effects go away within a few months. Because it takes some time for healthy cells to recover from radiation, some side effects may persist after treatment is finished. The area that was treated as well as the radiation dose used determines the risk of late side effects. However, Serious long-term side effects can be avoided with careful treatment planning.

If you experience side effects that are bothersome and impact your health or daily activities, the doctor may suspend your treatment for some time, alter the schedule, or change the type of treatment you are receiving.

How to cope with side effects of radiation therapy treatment

High energy is used to kill tumor cells by radiation therapy to treat cancer resulting in certain side effects. The effects of radiation therapy differ from person to person. Some of you might experience early side effects while others may experience late effects. Skin changes and fatigue are common side effects of radiation therapy for many patients as per the American Cancer Society. These side effects, on the other hand, are influenced by the radiation dose and the area of the body being treated. If you develop bad side impacts, the specialist might stop your therapies for some time, change the timetable, or change the treatment you are getting.

But, a question arises:

“What can you do to take care of yourself while receiving radiation therapy?”

You can take certain precautions during radiation therapy to ensure your better health.

• Make sure you get a lot of sleep.

After receiving a cancer diagnosis, many patients have trouble sleeping, and others begin to feel tired near the end of radiation therapy. Your mood can be affected by exhaustion and lack of sleep, which can make it harder to manage the stress of cancer treatment. You might feel exhausted more than usual. Therefore you should ensure that you get enough rest and a lot of sleep.

• Consume a healthy, well-balanced diet.

Based on the region of your body getting radiation (for instance, the belly or pelvic region), your primary care physician might propose changes in your eating regimen. Due to nausea or a lack of nutrients during treatment, many cancer patients suffer from malnutrition. To avoid becoming malnourished and dehydrated, consume plenty of fluids alongside a well-balanced diet.

• Give your skin some attention around the treatment area.

The skin in the treatment area may become more sensitive or appear and feel sunburned if you receive external radiation therapy. In an article by Maurie Markman, during treatment, skin changes may be inevitable, but you can take precautions to avoid burns or infections and manage them. Before using anything on the treated area—including soap, lotion, deodorant, medicines, perfume, cosmetics, talcum powder, or anything else—consult your doctor. It is not recommended to Rub, scrub, or apply heat or cold to the treatment area with things like an ice pack, heat lamp, or heating pad. Furthermore, you should keep the treated area out of direct sunlight as sunlight may make your skin more sensitive. Even if you use a sunscreen-containing lotion, you must first ask your doctor.

• Get active as required

For patients during radiation treatment physical activity can assist with fatigue, mindset issues, and stress. Even taking a short walk can be beneficial for you.  However, During radiation, we generally do not recommend starting new, rigorous exercises.

• Coping with stress

Get the help you need. You are likely to feel a variety of emotions during your cancer diagnosis and treatment, including fear, anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. Talking about your feelings with a close friend, family member, nurse, social worker, psychologist, chaplain, or other spiritual leader may be helpful.