Emotions and care after radiation treatment
Almost all cancer patients have emotional stress less or more. Most often there are feelings of depression, fear, longing, loneliness, sometimes aggression. These emotional manifestations reduce as the general condition improves.
Talk to family members and friends more often. Do not lock yourself. Try to take part in the lives of others around you, help them and do not refuse their help. Don’t be afraid to see a psychotherapist. He may recommend some additional methods of voltage relief.
Fatigue
Fatigue usually occurs within a few weeks of starting treatment. It is associated with significant physical exertion on the body during radiation therapy and stress. One should slightly reduce overall activity during the course of radiation therapy, especially if he used to work at a intense pace. However, do not completely avoid housework and take part in a family life.
Blood changes
The blood may temporarily reduce the number of leukocytes, platelets and red blood cells after the irradiation of large body parts. Please put your attention to hematopoiesis: donate blood for analysis once a week during the first month after treatment.
Appetite impairment
Usually radiotherapy does not cause nausea and vomiting. However, appetite may be impaired. But you should eat the sufficient amount of food to repair damaged tissues.
What reactions may occur after radiation of limb bones, spine, pelvic bones and other skeletal areas?
- brittleness (brittleness) of bones (mainly of limb bones);
- deterioration of blood;
- muscle soreness;
- reactions of the esophagus and the intestine mucous membranes depending on part of the body where the bones are irradiated;
- possible skin reactions in irradiation areas.
Possible bladder reactions
Radiation therapy sometimes causes inflammation of the bladder mucous membrane. This can lead to frequent painful urination and fever. Occasionally urine turns red. If you notice these symptoms, be sure to tell your urologist.
These complications require special treatment with drugs prescribed by your doctor according to the type of reaction!
Skin care after radiation treatment
It is necessary to protect the irradiated skin from injury and sunlight after the end of treatment.
Be sure to lubricate exposed skin 2-3 times a day with nutritious cream, even when it has healed after treatment.
Try to minimize skin irritation. Prefer a shower rather than a bath. Do not use cold or hot water.
When taking a shower, do not rub the irradiated skin with the wisp.
If irritated skin persists for a long time, consult a dermatologist. He will advise you appropriate treatment.
Don’t take sun bath. If there are some skin lesions (contusions or rashes), it is necessary to pay attention to them while visiting a dermatologist. He will prescribe appropriate treatment (powders, ointments, aerosols).
