Research shows that most people feel better when they get some exercise each day. Plan tasks for times when you have the most energy. Finish only what you can and let others help you with the rest. Plan time to rest.
Take short naps or breaks between activities. Relax before bed so you can sleep better. Read or listen to soothing music. Keep track of how you feel each day.
Keeping a record will help you plan how to best use your time. Share your record with your nurse. Let your doctor or nurse know if you notice changes in your energy level, such as whether you have lots of energy or feel tired. Try eating 5—6 small meals each day rather than three large ones. Eat foods that are easy to x, such as canned soups, frozen meals, yogurt and cottage cheese. Drink plenty of uids about eight cups of water or juice each day.
Talk with your doctor or nurse. Ask your care team about using sunscreen. Protect your skin from heat or cold.
Do not use tanning beds, hot tubs, saunas, hot pads and ice packs. Wear soft, loose clothing to avoid rubbing irritated skin. Do not shave in the area being treated unless your doctor says it is okay. Do not use tape or adhesive bandages on the treatment area.
For anal skin irritation, clean the area with unscented baby wipes or water from a spray bottle and avoid excessive wiping. Talk with your care team if you have any problems or questions about your skin.
Return to Top of Page Hair Loss Hair loss from radiation therapy happens only on the part of your body being treated. What to Do Before Hair Loss Decide whether to cut your hair or shave your head before you lose your hair.
Caring for Your Hair After Radiation Gently wash your hair using a mild shampoo, such as a baby shampoo. Use a soft towel to dry your hair by patting and not rubbing. Do not use items that can hurt your scalp, such as: Straightening or curling irons Brush rollers or curlers Electric hair dryers Hair bands and clips Hair sprays Hair dyes Do not use products to perm or relax your hair or hair weaves and extensions.
Do not use harsh products, like gel, mousse, oil, grease or pomade, during treatment. After Hair Loss Protect your scalp, which may feel tender after hair loss. Try these tips: Eat slowly. Eat more food during the times you are feeling better.
Eat small meals throughout the day instead of a few big meals. Ask others to eat with you. This can make meal times more pleasant. Drink plenty of water and other fluids. Check with your doctor before taking vitamins especially in high doses , herbal remedies or other supplements. Have easy-to-make foods on hand for when your energy level is low. Get plenty of protein and calories. These help your body to heal, keep your muscles from weakening, and provide fuel.
Mouth Care After Radiation Visit your dentist before starting radiation to finish any dental work and make sure your mouth is as healthy as possible. Keep your mouth moist by drinking water, sucking ice chips, chewing sugar-free gum, or sucking sugar-free hard candies. Your doctor may also suggest that you use a saliva substitute or prescribe medicine to help increase saliva. Check your mouth each day to spot problems as soon as they start.
Look for mouth sores, white patches or areas of irritation. Keep your mouth, teeth, gums and tongue clean. Brush with an extra-soft toothbrush after every meal and at bedtime.
Use fluoride toothpaste. Your doctor may prescribe special fluoride gel. Floss gently daily. Learn about ways to preserve fertility for men. Symptoms of menopause , such as vaginal itching, burning, dryness, and other changes to sexual health for women.
If both ovaries receive radiation therapy, you may experience infertility. Learn about ways to preserve fertility for women. Radiation recall is a rash that looks like a severe sunburn. It is rare and happens when certain types of chemotherapy are given during or soon after external-beam radiation therapy.
The rash appears on the part of the body that received radiation. Symptoms may include redness, tenderness, swelling, wet sores, and peeling skin. Typically, these side effects start within days or weeks of radiation therapy.
But they can also appear months or years later. Doctors treat radiation recall with medications called corticosteroids. Rarely, it may be necessary to wait until the skin heals before continuing chemotherapy. Side effects vary from person to person, even when given the same type of treatment. Before your treatment, ask your health care team which physical side effects are possible and what to watch for.
There can also be emotional side effects , and seeking out mental health support to help with anxiety or stress is important. Ask your health care team about ways to take care of yourself during the treatment period, including getting enough rest, eating well, and staying hydrated. Ask whether there are any restrictions on your regular exercise schedule or other physical activities.
And, continue talking with the team throughout your treatment. Always tell your health care team when side effects first appear, worsen, or continue despite treatment. That will allow your health care team to provide ways to help you feel better during and after treatment. What physical side effects are likely based on my specific radiation therapy treatment plan?
When will they likely begin? Could this treatment affect my ability to become pregnant or have a child? If so, should I talk with a fertility specialist before cancer treatment begins? Will special precautions be needed to protect my family and others from radiation exposure during my treatment period?
This 1-page printable PDF gives an introduction to radiation therapy, including an overview of the different types of radiation, what to expect during treatment, possible side effects, terms to know, and questions to ask the health care team. Why does radiation therapy cause side effects? Are there options to prevent or treat these side effects? What are common side effects of radiation therapy? Ask your care team to show you exactly where your hair is likely to fall out.
Your hair will usually start to fall out 2 to 3 weeks after treatment starts. It should start to grow back a few weeks after treatment finishes, although sometimes it may be a slightly different texture or colour than it was before.
Occasionally, hair loss can be permanent if you have a high dose of radiotherapy. Ask your doctor if this is a risk before starting treatment. Hair loss can be upsetting. Talk to your care team if you find losing your hair difficult to cope with. They understand how distressing it can be and can support you and discuss your options with you. You may decide you want to wear a wig if you lose the hair on your head.
Synthetic wigs are available free of charge on the NHS for some people, but you'll usually have to pay for a wig made from real hair. Read advice about cancer and hair loss. Some people feel sick during, or for a short time after, radiotherapy treatment sessions.
This is more likely to happen if the treatment area is near your stomach, or if your brain is being treated. Tell your care team if you feel sick during or after treatment. They can prescribe anti-sickness medicine to help. Macmillan has more information about managing sickness and vomiting.
Radiotherapy to your head or neck can make the lining of your mouth sore and irritated. This is known as mucositis. Symptoms tend to happen within a couple of weeks of treatment starting and can include:. Tell your care team if you have any of these problems. They may recommend painkillers or a special mouthwash that can help. Avoiding spicy, salty or sharp foods can also help. Mucositis usually gets better a few weeks after treatment finishes, although sometimes a dry mouth can be a long-term problem.
Feeling sick and tired during radiotherapy can make you lose your appetite, which could lead to weight loss. But it's important to try to eat healthily and maintain your weight during treatment. Tell your care team if you do not feel you're eating enough. Depending on the area of the body you have treated, you might have any of these long term side effects after radiotherapy:. Radiotherapy makes tissues less stretchy. Doctors call this radiation fibrosis.
How this affects you will vary depending on which part of your body was treated. Fibrosis may cause any of the following:. These changes can gradually appear over a long time, sometimes several years. Talk to your doctor if you had radiotherapy in the past and are worried about side effects. Radiotherapy is more accurate than it has ever been.
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