Coping with Radiotherapy: How to Manage Side Effects and Stay Positive

Coping with a long Cancer treatment journey is neither easy for the patient nor their family. They must endure many physical, mental, and financial struggles while the treatment continues. The patient, in their way, faces many side effects caused by different treatments. Hence, Cancer survivors are often denoted as Heroes who fight against all the odds of the process.

What they need to do while going through the process of cancer treatment is to trust the process and the experienced oncologist.

To understand cancer victims’ pain and struggles, we went on a survey to inquire more about it. We found that radiotherapy treatment is one of the major factors that brought both physical and mental side effects.

The acute sharp X-rays penetrate the physique to burn out infected cells in the body and damage many healthy cells. This changes skin quality, sleeping orders, appetite, and emotional state.

Let’s take this concern in depth to bring the optimum solutions and help people living with Cancer cope with the side effects of radiotherapy.

Common Side Effects of Radiotherapy

Before skimming through the list of common side effects, it is important to note that radiation therapy has a different impact on individuals undergoing treatment with several factors, including the affected body part, physical health, type of Cancer, and dose of radiation given. Now, please go through the list of some common side effects-

Fatigue
Lower blood count
Restlessness
Headache
Nausea
Trouble speaking
Memory Loss
Seizures
Jaw Stiffness
Changes in skin texture
Swelling in the affected area
Dry mouth

Emotional Impact of Radiotherapy

Although cancer patients are offered help to treat their physical side-effects while undergoing various cancer treatments and therapies. Yet they are hardly guided to get emotional relief to avoid the emotional trauma they go through in their cancer treatment journey. We would never want anyone to feel the same as cancer patients while undergoing radiation therapy. The emotional breakdown is as follows-

Tiredness
Overthinking
Feeling burn out
Lack of confidence
Lack of empathy
Losing hope of recovery
Feeling stressed and depressive
Increased anger over the situation
Feeling left out or undeserving to live
Inferiority complex due to changes in appearance

How to Manage Side Effects of Radiotherapy and Stay Positive

When you’re fighting for life and survival, it is obvious to feel low and left out despite how much your dear ones encourage you. Additionally, the long tiresome sessions of radiotherapy can make it worse. But radiotherapy is crucial in treating Cancer, and it can’t be denied.

To stop the infection, you must make up your mind and body ready for the process, and build trust with your oncologist. Side effects are inevitable, but you must learn how to cope quickly and soon realize the worth of radiation therapy.

To boost your morale and make yourself physically prepared for the radiation sessions, follow these tip-offs, and you’ll find the path smoother. Have a glimpse-

Get Sound Sleep

Practicing a nighttime ritual, writing down your worries, and skipping daytime naps can effectively help you cope-up with insomnia as a side effect. Try to sleep at a fixed time and avoid binge-watching late-night hours to get proper sleep. This will help you ease sleeplessness.

Follow the Prescribed Diet Routine

While struggling with nausea, cancer patients often lose their appetite. This might be the side effect of radiation therapy they are going through. Lack of nutrients will increase irritability as the radiation reduces your body cells. It is important to consume a healthy diet to help your body build new cells and fight against Cancer. So eat what your medical team prescribes and feed your body with the energy potion.

Practice Lighter Exercises

Of course, we are not asking for a rigorous exercise regime or heading to the gym as the body won’t support that. But what cancer patients can easily ace is a sum of light exercises or physical activities they can involve in their daily routine. A light exercise will help you to knock out fatigue and mood swings, easing your radiation journey. Involving in physical activities also helps you manage stress while treating Cancer.

Mindfulness & Meditations

Make these two your best pals during your cancer treatment and radiation sessions. Practicing mindfulness and connecting with your inner self through meditation will help you ease anxiety and stress, making you emotionally stronger to stand tall against Cancer. Meditation will give you deep patience to face radiation therapy sessions more courageously.

Take Care of Your Skin

Follow strict guidelines when taking care of your skin exposed to radiation. Don’t wash off the marks; apply sunscreen lotion with SPF 30 or higher to the red marks or burnout patches. Additionally, avoid skin exposure to extreme hot or cold conditions as it will make the wounds severe. Use a hat or umbrella while coming out in the sun. Always use mild soap to wash your skin. Get a follow-up and prescription for anything you’re using on your skin.

Conclusion

The journey is steep, and hope is the least during the complex cancer treatment process. But we need to note that the process is to recover from Cancer by defusing affected cells and saving the remaining ones. You need to trust the radiation therapy process and follow the guidelines strictly.

If you think you’re facing the side effects heavily, speak to your oncologist, and they will hold the process for a while to allow recovery from the side effects. They will resume the process after a considerable span. But remember, the side effects may vary for each case of Cancer, and it is best to consult with your medical team and stay confident that you will win your life.

If you need more guidance on the subject, connect with our team, and we will find the best solutions to your queries. Till then, smile and level up your spirit to fight against Cancer!