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Radiation therapy to the head, neck, or parts of the digestive system can make you lose your appetite. But it's important to keep eating a healthy diet while you’re having treatment to...
The most common early side effects are fatigue (feeling tired) and skin changes. Other early side effects usually are related to the area being treated, such as hair loss and mouth problems when radiation treatment is given to this area. Late side effects can take months or even years to develop.
During radiation therapy, the body uses a lot of energy healing itself. Stress related to your illness, daily trips for treatment, and the effects of radiation on normal cells all may contribute to fatigue. Most people begin to feel tired after a few weeks of radiation therapy.
In addition to helping you maintain a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet during chemotherapy or radiation therapy can: Help manage treatment side effects. Increase energy. Increase muscle tone. Preserve immune function. Reduce inflammation. What foods should you add to your diet during cancer treatment?
While certain types of radiation therapy may require a change in your diet to minimize side effects like malnutrition and nausea, it’s important to maintain your weight. It’s also important to remember that radiation therapy is not the time to start a weight loss program.
Whether it’s due to pain from a growing tumor, swallowing difficulties caused by radiation therapy, or the nausea, loss of appetite or mouth sores that are sometimes caused by chemotherapy, involuntary weight loss is a serious side effect of cancer and its treatment for many patients.
A relaxed and attractive setting can increase appetite. Eat whenever you are hungry. You do not need to eat just three meals a day. Frequent small meals throughout the day may even be better. Keep favorite foods readily available for meals and snacks. Try a glass of wine or beer to help stimulate your appetite. Check with your doctor beforehand.
Watch on. Radiation therapy is often an important component of cancer treatment. Sometimes patients experience little or no side effects from radiation therapy and are able to continue their normal routines. However, radiation therapy can cause mild-to-severe side effects for some patients.
Many things can affect the type and severity of side effects, including: the part of the body treated. the type of radiation therapy. the dose of radiation needed and the number of treatment sessions. any other treatments you might be having and your general health.
Side effects like sore mouth, dry mouth, problems swallowing and nausea and vomiting can cause loss of appetite. Radiation therapy to the head and neck area can cause temporary changes in taste or smell, which can make foods seem less appetizing.