Are the side effects of radiotherapy a serious threat to health?
The side effects of radiotherapy (radiation therapy) occur as a result of damage to the healthy tissues surrounding the treatment area. These side effects are usually not serious, and in many cases, they appear immediately after treatment and gradually disappear after two to three weeks. However, some issues, such as changes in taste or hair loss, may persist for a long time and affect the individual’s daily life. To reduce these side effects and return to a normal state, simple measures such as consuming healthy and nutritious foods, getting enough rest, doing light exercises, and maintaining a stress-free environment can help reduce the severity of these problems and maintain quality of life.
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General Side Effects of Radiotherapy (Radiation Therapy)
Radiotherapy, as a localized treatment method, specifically affects the area being treated. For example, if radiotherapy is performed on the head, it may lead to hair loss, but if applied to other parts of the body, it will cause different side effects. The general side effects of radiotherapy include various issues, some of which are listed below.
- Fatigue and General Weakness
Many patients experience severe fatigue after radiotherapy, which intensifies as the treatment progresses. In some cases, patients may be unable to perform their daily activities. This fatigue can result from various factors, such as stress due to the illness, frequent visits to treatment centers, or complementary treatments like chemotherapy. To manage this situation, it is advisable to get more rest and allocate more time for sleep.
- Skin Issues
Radiotherapy can cause dryness, redness, darkening, or burns on the skin in the treated area. If any of these symptoms are observed, it is essential to consult a doctor immediately. To reduce the severity of these issues, using mild soaps, washing the skin with water, wearing loose cotton clothes, and avoiding direct sun exposure can be helpful.
- Hair Loss
Hair loss is another common side effect of radiotherapy, specifically occurring in the area being treated. This issue usually begins two weeks after the start of treatment and hair regrowth typically begins after a few weeks. This regrowth may be accompanied by changes in color and texture. In cases of high radiation doses, hair loss may be permanent and not return.
- Loss of Appetite and Digestive Issues
Loss of appetite, nausea, stomach pain, and swallowing difficulties are other common side effects of radiotherapy that many patients experience. Since radiotherapy can reduce physical strength and cause loss of appetite, it is recommended to divide meals into smaller portions and consume nutrient-rich, high-calorie foods to meet the patient’s dietary needs.
Radiotherapy Side Effects
Radiotherapy, as a localized treatment, can cause different side effects depending on the area of the body being treated. In this section, we will discuss the specific side effects caused by radiation exposure to various parts of the body.
- Brain Radiotherapy
Brain radiotherapy can lead to specific side effects such as fatigue, skin changes, headaches, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, hearing loss, seizures, memory loss, or speech disorders. These side effects are typically caused by the impact of radiation on the brain tissue and nervous system.
- Head and Neck Radiotherapy
When radiotherapy is used for tumors in the head and neck area, side effects such as hair loss in this region, mouth sores or burns, ear pain, jaw lock, tooth sensitivity, reduced thyroid function, and swelling in the gums, throat, or neck may occur. These problems are generally caused by radiation affecting the sensitive tissues in this area.
- Breast Radiotherapy
For patients undergoing radiotherapy to treat breast cancer, side effects such as skin changes, swelling and edema, skin sensitivity, and fatigue are common. These side effects may result from damage to the soft tissues and lymphatic system in this area.
- Chest Radiotherapy
In chest radiotherapy, side effects such as coughing, fever, shortness of breath, shoulder stiffness, difficulty swallowing, skin changes, and hair loss in the treated area can occur. Additionally, fatigue is another common side effect in this region due to the radiation affecting the sensitive areas of the chest.
Frequently Asked Questions about Radiotherapy Side Effects
- What are the side effects of radiotherapy on the abdomen?
When radiotherapy is performed on the abdomen, side effects such as bowel cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite may occur. These symptoms result from the impact of radiation on the digestive system and abdominal tissues.
- Why can radiotherapy cause side effects in the body?
Radiotherapy uses powerful radiation to target and destroy cancer cells. In addition to damaging cancer cells, these rays can also harm healthy tissues around the treatment area, leading to side effects.
- When do radiotherapy side effects start, and how long do they last?
Typically, radiotherapy side effects begin to appear two or three weeks after treatment starts and may continue for several weeks after the treatment period ends. To reduce the severity of these side effects and accelerate recovery, doctors usually prescribe medications and specific guidelines.
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