Radiotherapy and Chemoradiotherapy are among the common methods for lung cancer treatments. Though these are one of the effective ways to cure cancer but they also come with side effects like any other treatment. Today, we are discussing about the possible side effects that result from radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy. Everyone is different and side effects vary from person to person. One may not experience all of these.
Side effects include:
Feeling Sick
One may feel sick at times. You should inform your health care practitioner in case you feel sick. General weakness and fatigue are the common side effects.
Tiredness
Patients might feel tired during and after the treatment. Tiredness tends to get worse as the treatment goes on. Some light exercises along with periodic rest intervals is recommended.
Shortness of Breath
One of the common side effects associated with radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy is the shortness of breath. Radiotherapy may cause inflammation in the lungs. Experiencing dry cough is also common.
Sore Throat
The patient’s mouth and throat might set sore. One may feel pain in swallowing food. Thus, regular mouth washes are recommended to keep the mouth healthy. Also, do not eat very hot or cold food.
Damage to Kidney
Damage to kidney is also a common side effect. One should check how well your kidneys are working. It is important to have adequate amount of water and take other liquid fluids as well.
Difficulty in Swallowing
The lung cancer patients might find soft diet easier to swallow for a few weeks after the lung cancer treatment. You should tell your doctors if you face problems in swallowing.
Tips to Reduce Side Effects:
- Drink adequate glasses of water
- Take small and regular meals
- Eat food slowly
- Practice right exercises
- Have high calorie drinks to boost calorie intake
- Try foods that are easy to swallow
The information shared in this post is for educational purposes only.