Radiation therapy, as a rule, is one of the most effective methods with which you can influence cancer cells. The purpose of such procedures is to stop the growth and division of malignant tumors in the human body. But the consequences of radiation therapy are not only positive.
Radiation therapy is most effective in the early stages of cancer. The degree and power of exposure is determined by the doctor in oncology, taking into account the stage of the disease and individual characteristics. The most common diseases in which radiation therapy is prescribed are cervical oncology, lymph oncology. As a rule, radiation therapy is not the only method of treating cancerous diseases; to obtain a positive result, it is used directly in combination with other methods of combating oncology.
It should be noted that the consequences of radiation therapy and the irradiation process itself have a more gentle effect on the patient's body than surgery or a course of chemotherapy. As a rule, the most frequent complications after radiation therapy are the appearance of dry skin at the site of exposure, thinning of the structure of hair and nails, redness on the skin, etc. More rare consequences are considered watery discharge with an admixture of mucus during defecation, inflammatory processes of the genitourinary organs. These are less negative effects of radiation therapy.
The more severe include the appearance of ulcerative formations, increased bone fragility, bone marrow damage, the process of degeneration of human skin, and others. Therefore, after passing a whole course of radiation therapy, it is recommended to conduct a rehabilitation and recovery course, which will activate the work of all human systems and organs.
Of course, only an experienced doctor can determine with accuracy whether radiation therapy is needed, the consequences of which do less harm compared with the need at this stage of the disease. That is, the specialist weighs the benefits of the course and the possible consequences that may negatively affect the patient's condition.
As a rule, during pregnancy, a course of radiation therapy in the area of the organs of the hip joint is not prescribed, since a direct effect on the fetus in the womb is recorded.
To eliminate the negative effects of radiation therapy, it is necessary to carry out additional treatment, with the help of which side effects will occur less noticeably for a person. For example, the appearance of nausea and vomiting is due to the fact that drugs aimed at eliminating tumors fall on the mucous membrane of the stomach and digestive tract. Also, antitumor drugs lead to a violation of blood coagulation, therefore, it is necessary to renew the platelet count in human blood.
To preserve the health of the mucous membranes, it is recommended to treat the oral cavity with special solutions that prevent the formation of ulcers, reduce bleeding of the gums, maintain the integrity of the mucous membrane, etc. In case of violation of the stool, it is advisable to take special preparations aimed at liquefying or securing feces.
To prevent fluid retention in the body, you should limit the use of salty foods and the amount of fluid you drink. The delay is due to the fact that during the course of therapy there is a change in the hormonal background, and also the water-salt balance is disturbed. Therefore, you should follow a diet and follow all the instructions of a specialist.