Common complications and countermeasures in radiation care

Radiation care is a common cancer treatment method. However, during radiation therapy, patients may face the risk of some complications. These complications include skin reactions, fatigue, dry mouth, etc., which put a certain burden on patients physically and mentally. Therefore, it is very important to take appropriate countermeasures to prevent and deal with these complications.

1. Skin reactions

Skin reactions are a common complication of radiation therapy and can have a significant impact on a patient's comfort and quality of life. When it comes to relieving skin reactions caused by radiation therapy, there are a number of things patients can do to reduce discomfort and speed up recovery. First, it is critical to keep your skin clean. Use a mild cleanser to gently clean the affected area of ​​skin, and avoid using lotions or soaps that contain irritating ingredients. Keeping your skin clean helps prevent bacterial infections and reduces the occurrence of skin inflammation. Second, avoiding friction and irritation is also key. When choosing clothing to wear, patients should give priority to loose and soft fabrics, and avoid tight, rough clothing or items that are prone to friction, such as belts, from contacting damaged skin. Reducing external stimuli can help relieve itching and discomfort.

2. Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the common discomforts after radiotherapy, and patients may feel physically tired and weak. In response to this fatigue, patients can take some measures to alleviate the symptoms: first, it is very important to ensure adequate rest and sleep time, and a regular schedule can help relieve fatigue; second, good eating habits are also key, choose a balanced and nutritious diet, and ensure adequate intake of water and vitamins; moderate exercise can also help improve physical fitness and reduce fatigue, but be sure to follow the doctor's advice to exercise moderately; finally, patients should maintain close communication with their doctors to understand whether additional nutrients are needed or whether there are other ways to reduce fatigue. Through effective management, fatigue can be alleviated and the patient's quality of life can be improved.

3. Nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are among the common discomfort symptoms after radiotherapy. These symptoms may affect the patient's appetite and quality of life. To relieve nausea and vomiting, the doctor may prescribe medications and adjust them according to the patient's specific situation. In addition to medication, patients can also take the following measures to alleviate these symptoms: First, try small and frequent meals and avoid excessive fullness or empty stomach. Choose foods that are easier to digest, such as dry bread, rice, vegetables, etc. Secondly, avoid eating greasy and irritating foods, such as spicy foods, coffee, tobacco and alcohol, which may irritate the gastrointestinal tract and aggravate the symptoms of nausea and vomiting. In addition, it is also important to maintain adequate water intake. You can try to drink light tea or juice and avoid excessive drinking to avoid increasing stomach pressure. The most important thing is to maintain close communication with doctors and nurses and inform them of any discomfort or changes in time so that they can provide timely support and appropriate intervention.

4. Loss of appetite

Loss of appetite is a common problem after receiving radiation therapy, especially due to the impact on oral and gastrointestinal function. When a patient has a loss of appetite, some measures need to be taken to ensure nutritional intake. First, choose easily digestible foods, such as liquid foods, paste foods, and soft foods. These foods are more easily absorbed and digested by the gastrointestinal tract. Secondly, increase the intake of high-protein and high-vitamin foods, such as eggs, beans, fish, nuts, and fresh fruits and vegetables. At the same time, avoid eating foods that are too hard, too hot, or too cold to avoid irritating the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. In addition, patients can try to eat according to their appetite, enjoy small portions of food in moderation, and increase their appetite. If the severity of the loss of appetite is severe, it is recommended to communicate with the doctor to understand whether additional nutritional supplements or oral supplements are needed to maintain nutritional balance.

5. Blood problems

During radiotherapy, the effects of radiation may cause changes in three important components of the blood, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. These changes may cause hematopoiesis, which in turn affects the patient's immune function and coagulation ability. Leukopenia is a common problem that may increase the risk of infection. Doctors will regularly check the white blood cell count and take treatment measures if necessary. In addition, a decrease in red blood cells (anemia) may cause symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. Doctors will monitor hemoglobin and red blood cell counts and perform blood transfusions if necessary. Thrombocytopenia reduces coagulation function and increases the risk of bleeding. Doctors will monitor platelet counts and perform interventions, such as platelet transfusions. Close doctor-patient communication is crucial to dealing with blood problems. Patients need to closely cooperate with the doctor's advice and report any changes in symptoms in a timely manner to minimize discomfort and risks, ensure the smooth progress of treatment, and maintain the health and safety of patients.

Author: Wang Caiyun, Department of Radiology, Jinzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital