With internal radiation, you may need to avoid touching the patient until the implant is removed or limit the time you spend very close to them. With systemic radiation therapy, you may also have to avoid the person’s bodily fluids for a few days after treatment.
What should you avoid during radiation?
Avoid raw vegetables and fruits, and other hard, dry foods such as chips or pretzels. It’s also best to avoid salty, spicy or acidic foods if you are experiencing these symptoms. Your care team can recommend nutrient-based oral care solutions if you are experiencing mucositis or mouth sores caused by cancer treatment.
What do you do during radiation treatment?
During radiation therapy: Be gentle and protect your skin
- 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 not do before radiation?
Ask your radiation therapy team before you use anything on the skin in the treatment area. Powders, creams, perfumes, deodorants, body oils, ointments or lotions can irritate skin or may affect your response to the radiation treatment.
What are the most common side effects of radiation therapy?
Radiation to the brain can cause these short-term side effects:
- Headaches.
- Hair loss.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- Hearing loss.
- Skin and scalp changes.
- Trouble with memory and speech.
Can you drink coffee while on radiation?
To help manage side effects, drink plenty of fluids, limit strong coffee and tea, and avoid drinking alcohol.
What are the best foods to eat during radiation treatment?
Good sources of protein include lean meat, fish, poultry, dairy products (cheese, Greek yogurt, milk, cottage cheese), eggs, nuts, beans & lentils, soyfoods (tofu, soymilk, tempeh, edamame), commercial nutrition beverages (like Ensure® , Boost®, or Orgain™, Enu™) and protein powders.
What are the do’s and don’ts after radiotherapy?
When you wash, use only lukewarm water and mild soap. Don’t wear tight clothing over the treatment area. It’s important not to rub, scrub or scratch any sensitive spots. Also avoid putting anything that is very hot or very cold—such as heating pads or ice packs—on your treated skin.
Can I drive myself to radiation treatments?
Unless you feel ill, you can typically drive yourself to treatment. In fact, many patients are able to work full-time during their treatment.
How much water should you drink during radiation?
Your doctor or nurse can prescribe these for you. It is important to drink plenty of fluids, at least 2 litres a day if possible.
What time of day is best for radiation therapy?
New research from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, to be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2019 in Atlanta, reports that administering radiation treatments in the morning as opposed to later in the day can significantly reduce severity of mucositis and its related
Can you wear clothes during radiation?
Wear loose, soft, cotton clothing over the area being treated. Avoid stiff or starched clothing near the area being treated. Do not put anything but mild soap (such as Dove) and lukewarm water on the skin in the treated area, unless the doctor or nurse says that it is safe to do so.
Can you shower after radiation treatment?
Wash, shower or bath daily with lukewarm water during. Avoid the direct stream of the shower on your treated skin. Use a mild unscented, non-deodorant soap over skin, example: Dove or baby soap. Be gentle when cleaning skin in treatment area and areas where there are skin folds.
What are 5 harmful effects of radiation?
Here are a few common health effects or harmful effects of radiation on the human body.
- Hair. Loss of hair fall occurs when exposure to radiation is higher than 200 rems.
- Heart and Brain. Intense exposure to radiation from 1000 to 5000 rems will affect the functioning of the heart.
- Thyroid.
- Blood System.
- Reproductive Tract.
Is radiation worse than chemo?
The radiation beams change the DNA makeup of the tumor, causing it to shrink or die. This type of cancer treatment has fewer side effects than chemotherapy since it only targets one area of the body.
How many sessions of radiotherapy is normal?
Most people have 5 treatments each week (1 treatment a day from Monday to Friday, with a break at the weekend). But sometimes treatment may be given more than once a day or over the weekend.
Can you take vitamin D during radiation?
Not all vitamin and mineral supplements have antioxidants. For example calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12 are not antioxidants. These vitamins and minerals are safe to take during your radiation treatment.
Can you drive after radiotherapy?
Radiotherapy can make people feel tired afterwards, which could preclude you from driving. Generally it is recommended to get a friend or family member to drive you to and from your first appointment to see how your body reacts.
Why do you drink water before radiotherapy?
Prior to your CT scan, and radiotherapy treatment, you need to ensure that you are WELL HYDRATED, which means drinking lots of fluid. We recommend that you aim to drink 2-3 litres of water (4-6 pints) throughout the day in the weeks prior to your CT scan and your treatment as well as during your treatment course.
What vitamins are good for radiation treatment?
Some supplements, especially antioxidants, may change how radiation therapy works. Antioxidants include vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene, and selenium, among others. Many people take antioxidants during treatment hoping they can protect normal tissues from treatment side effects.
How do you stay healthy during radiation therapy?
An important goal during radiation therapy is eating enough to maintain your weight and keep up your strength. You also need to ensure that your body gets the nutrition it needs to promote the regrowth of healthy tissues.
