Radiation Therapy Side Effects
The radiation therapy side effects commonly experienced during and after treatment will vary from patient to patient based on individual’s physiological and psychological characteristics. Some patients can experience all or none of the following side effects based on the particular traits of their treatment and their body's response to it. Note that accurate effect predictions for individuals cannot be made till after treatment has begun.
The most common radiation therapy side effects can include fatigue, skin problems and loss of appetite. Radiation treatment involves passing radiation through the skin. This will sometimes cause irritation in the areas where the radiation is being directed. Skin irritations can result in redness, a sunburn type reaction or a darkening of the skin area. These effects are common radiation therapy side effects and can be easily treated with products recommended by one's oncology team.
Fatigue is one of the common radiation therapy side effects . All people undergoing radiation therapy will experience some level of fatigue or exhaustion. It is important to recognize that radiation therapy will have an impact on one's natural physical status and consulting one's doctor regarding that will provide reassurance. Being fatigued is natural to the procedure but it is best handled when patients recognize that it is one of the common radiation therapy side effects and thus makes adjustments to their lifestyle to include rest for recuperation.
The third of the common radiation therapy side effects is loss of appetite. The radiation one is exposed to can rob one of their appetite but remembering to still maintain a nutritious diet is key. Many patients will lose their appetite while undergoing treatment that will then result in increased fatigue thus perpetuating a cycle or exhaustion. Common radiation therapy side effects like loss of appetite can make a patient’s health decline if not monitored and compensated for.
There are many other common radiation therapy side effects . These may include hair loss or decreases in the body's production of white blood cells and platelets. Some patients experience a drying of the mucus membranes or a reduction of saliva production. Radiation therapy can also affect one's sex drive by increasing it or lowering it. An individual patient's body will respond as uniquely as their mind will. The physical changes felt by radiation therapy will prompt some patients to become insatiable toward life while others will withdraw in to a depression. Predicting what common radiation therapy side effects will affect individual patients is a difficult task but oncologists will thoroughly explain any concerns one may have about physical developments.
It is important to understand that common radiation therapy side effects will vary in intensity from patient to patient. Any or all of the above mention side effects may be experienced at various levels of intensity based on the multiple factors of one's treatment plan, physiological status and physiological preparedness. The common radiation therapy side effects should all be reported to one's physician so that specific questions regarding an individual's case may be discussed and monitored.
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