| Side effects caused by radiotherapy treatment vary | | | | The commute to the hospital is a necessary evil and |
| greatly, depending on the area being treated, the | | | | mobile treatment machines are not possible because |
| number of treatments and the actual radiation dose | | | | of the lead lined bunkers they need to be stored in. |
| your Oncologist has prescribed. In this article we have | | | | However, the radiographers should be able to alter |
| written about fatigue, a commonly experienced | | | | your treatment times so they best suit your needs. |
| general radiotherapy side effects | | | | It is important to listen to your body and rest when |
| Tiredness often occurs in patients who are having | | | | necessary. |
| radiotherapy treatment and is caused by many | | | | Another thing to mention about tiredness, is that it's |
| factors. The 2 main ones seem to be from the | | | | not generally a problem that hits you out of the blue. |
| treatment itself and also traveling back and forth to | | | | Radiotherapy is accumulative and therefore if you are |
| the hospital each day. | | | | going to get tired it is likely to gradually build up and |
| Tiredness caused by the radiotherapy treatment | | | | be at its most noticeable towards the end of your |
| itself, is thought to be due in part to the type of | | | | treatment and for a few weeks after your |
| toxins released during the breakdown of some of | | | | radiotherapy course has actually finished, as the |
| the cells within the treatment area. Drinking fluids to | | | | radiation will still be working. Listen to your body and |
| keep hydrated, appears to help flush these toxins | | | | it will tell you when you need to slow down a little. |
| out of your system. Eating regularly throughout the | | | | Some people go through the whole radiotherapy |
| day, and not missing meals, will also help to maintain | | | | treatment and get little or no fatigue - whereas |
| your energy levels. | | | | others experience greater tiredness. |