What should I ask my doctor about radiation therapy side effects?
May 02, 2022 · Eat healthy foods as directed. Ask your healthcare provider if you need to be on a special diet. You may be on a special diet if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. You can do the following to help get enough nutrition and manage the side effects of radiation: Eat 6 to 8 small meals per day.
What are the early and late effects of radiation therapy?
If the cancer is in many areas, sometimes the whole brain is treated with radiation. The side effects of whole brain radiation therapy may not be noticeable until a few weeks after treatment begins. Radiation to the brain can cause these short-term side effects: Headaches; Hair loss; Nausea; Vomiting; Extreme tiredness (fatigue) Hearing loss
What are the risks of radiotherapy?
Are the side effects of radiation therapy permanent?
How do you manage the side effects of radiation?
- Get enough sleep during radiation therapy. ...
- Treat skin exposed to radiation with TLC. ...
- Maintain a well-balanced diet. ...
- Commit to physical activity. ...
- Get the support you need.
How do you manage the side effects of cancer treatment?
- Counter Chemo-Induced Fatigue With Exercise. ...
- Take Medication to Quell Nausea and Vomiting. ...
- Consider Using a Cooling Cap to Minimize Hair Loss. ...
- Beat Mouth Sores With Ice Chips. ...
- Wash Your Hands Often to Avoid Infection. ...
- Tell Your Doctor About Tingling in Your Hands or Feet.
What precautions should you take when the patient has received a treatment that causes their body fluids to become radioactive?
- Wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet.
- Use separate utensils and towels.
- Drink plenty of fluids to flush the remaining radioactive material from the body.
- Avoid sexual contact.
- Try to avoid contact with infants, children, and pregnant women.
What are the side effects of radiation therapy and nursing interventions?
| Part of the body being treated | Possible side effects |
|---|---|
| Brain | Fatigue Hair loss Memory or concentration problems Nausea and vomiting Skin changes Headache Blurry vision |
| Breast | Fatigue Hair loss Skin changes Swelling (edema) Tenderness |
What causes side effects from cancer treatment?
What are the most common side effects of cancer treatment?
What PPE is used for radiation?
How do you take care of radiation patients?
- Wash the treated skin gently every day with warm water. ...
- Use a gentle, low-pH cleanser if you need to cleanse. ...
- Ignore the lines drawn on your skin. ...
- Avoid shaving the treated skin. ...
- Apply moisturizer every day as directed.
What should you do if exposed to radiation?
What are nursing interventions for radiation therapy?
- Monitor and assess the patient's pain level using a standard 0-to-10 pain scale. ...
- If appropriate, refer patients with fatigue for physical therapy, which can ease fatigue and improve stamina.
- Obtain a complete list of the patient's medications and monitor for drug interactions.
When caring for a patient undergoing radiation therapy What are the safety guidelines you must follow as a nurse and why?
What is the most common acute side effect of radiation treatment?
What Are The Side Effects of Radiation Therapy?
The side effects of radiation therapy depend on the area of the body that receives radiation. Early side effects happen shortly after you receive r...
What Causes The Side Effects of Radiation Therapy?
Radiation can destroy or harm healthy tissues during treatment. This may cause side effects to happen anywhere in the body where radiation therapy...
How Are Side Effects of Radiation Therapy Diagnosed and Treated?
1. Your healthcare provider will ask you about your symptoms and decide if they are side effects of radiation therapy. Radiation therapy may preven...
How Can I Manage My Symptoms?
1. Manage your fatigue. Do short periods of physical activity to help decrease fatigue. Walk for 15 to 30 minutes each day. You can also take a sho...
Where Can I Find More Information?
1. 1. American Cancer Society250 Williams StreetAtlanta , GA 30303Phone: 1- 800 - 227-2345Web Address: http://www.cancer.org 2. 1. National Cancer...
When Should I Seek Immediate Care?
1. Your heart feels like it is beating faster than usual or you have shortness of breath. 2. You have a headache, dizziness, or blurred vision. 3....
When Should I Contact My Healthcare Provider?
1. You have a fever. 2. The area of your skin where you received treatment blisters, peels, becomes more painful, or drains fluid. 3. You have trou...
If You’Re Getting Radiation Therapy to The Brain
People with brain tumors often get stereotactic radiosurgery (radiation given in one large dose) if the cancer is in only one or a few sites in the...
If You’Re Getting Radiation Therapy to The Head Or Neck
People who get radiation to the head and neck might have side effects such as: 1. Soreness (or even open sores) in the mouth or throat 2. Dry mouth...
If You’Re Getting Radiation Therapy to The Breast
If you have radiation to the breast, it can affect your heart or lungs as well causing other side effects.
If You’Re Getting Radiation Therapy to The Chest
Radiation treatment to the chest may cause side effects such as: 1. Sore throat 2. Swallowing problems 3. Loss of appetite 4. Cough 5. Shortness of...
If You’Re Getting Radiation Therapy to The Abdomen (Belly)
If you are getting radiation to your stomach or some part of the abdomen (belly), you may have side effects such as: 1. Nausea 2. Vomiting 3. Belly...
If You’Re Having Radiation Therapy to The Pelvis
Radiation therapy to the pelvis (for example, as treatment for bladder, ovarian, or prostate cancer) can cause side effects such as: 1. Bladder pro...
What are the side effects of radiation therapy?
Head and neck. Radiation therapy aimed at a person’s head or neck may cause these side effects: Dry mouth. Mouth and gum sores.
How long does it take for side effects to show after radiation?
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.
Does radiation therapy cause cancer?
Radiation therapy treats many types of cancer effectively. But like other cancer treatments, it often causes side effects. Each person experiences different side effects. Side effects depend on the type of cancer, its location, the radiation therapy dose, your general health, and other factors. It is important to talk with your health care team ...
How long do side effects of radiation last?
Other people experience more severe side effects. Reactions to the radiation therapy often start during the second or third week of treatment. Or, they may last for several weeks after the final treatment. Some side effects may be long term.
How long does radiation therapy last?
Reactions to the radiation therapy often start during the second or third week of treatment. Or, they may last for several weeks after the final treatment. Some side effects may be long term. Talk with your treatment team about what to expect.
What is radiation recall?
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.
How long does it take for a rash to appear after radiation?
Typically, these side effects start within days or weeks of radiation therapy. But they can also appear months or years later.
Does radiation therapy have side effects?
It's very important to remember that every person reacts differently to treatment. Any side effect you might have depends on the type and location of cancer, the dose of radiation being given, and your general health. Some people have few or no side effects, while others have quite a few.
How long does it take for side effects to show up after radiation?
Some side effects might show up quickly, but others might not show up until 1 to 2 years after treatment. Talk with your radiation oncologist about what to watch for and when to call your doctor. If the cancer is in many areas, sometimes the whole brain is treated with radiation.
How long does radiation side effects last?
Remember that the type of radiation side effects you might have depends on the prescribed dose and schedule. Most side effects go away within a few months of ending treatment. Some side effects may continue after treatment ends because it takes time for the healthy cells to recover from radiation. Side effects might limit your ability ...
How long does it take for radiation to cause side effects?
Late side effects can take months or even years to develop. They can occur in any normal tissue in the body that has received radiation. The risk of late side effects depends on the area treated as well as the radiation dose that was used. Careful treatment planning can help avoid serious long-term side effects.
How to reduce side effects of radiation?
One way to reduce side effects is by using radioprotective drugs, but these are only used for certain types of radiation given to certain parts of the body. These drugs are given before radiation treatment to protect certain normal tissues in the treatment area. The one most commonly used today is amifostine.
What are the side effects of brachytherapy?
If your treatment includes brachytherapy (internal radiation implants), you might notice breast tenderness, tightness, redness, and bruising. You may also have some of the same side effects that happen with external radiation treatment.
What does it mean when your skin is red after radiation?
After a few weeks, your skin might become dry, flaky, or itchy, or it may peel. This is sometimes called radiation dermatitis. It’s important to let your cancer care team know about any skin changes.
How long does it take for a person to recover from radiation?
Skin changes. Urinary and bladder changes. Healthy cells that are damaged during radiation treatment usually recover within a few months after treatment is over. But sometimes people may have side effects that do not improve. Other side effects may show up months or years after radiation therapy is over.
Does radiation therapy cause cancer?
Radiation Therapy Side Effects. Radiation not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells, it can also affect nearby healthy cells. Damage to healthy cells can cause side effects. Many people who get radiation therapy have fatigue. Fatigue is feeling exhausted and worn out.
Can radiation cause fatigue?
Damage to healthy cells can cause side effects. Many people who get radiation therapy have fatigue. Fatigue is feeling exhausted and worn out. It can happen all at once or come on slowly. People feel fatigue in different ways and you may feel more or less fatigue than someone else who is getting the same amount of radiation therapy to ...
Does radiation kill cancer cells?
Radiation not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells, it can also affect nearby healthy cells. Damage to healthy cells can cause side effects. Many people who get radiation therapy have fatigue. Fatigue is feeling exhausted and worn out. It can happen all at once or come on slowly.