Meal and snack ideas for a soft diet: Fresh or canned fruit with cottage cheese or yogurt. Sliced banana and nut butter (natural peanut, almond or cashew butter) in yogurt. Hot cereal (oatmeal, cream of rice or cream of wheat) cooked in milk or soy milk with nut butter added.
What foods should you avoid during radiation treatment?
Avoid raw vegetables and fruits, and other hard, dry foods such as chips or pretzels. It’s also best to avoid salty, spicy or acidic foods if you are experiencing these symptoms. Your care team can recommend nutrient-based oral care solutions if you are experiencing mucositis or mouth sores caused by cancer treatment.
How long does it take to recover from pelvic radiation?
Your skin will gradually heal, but it may take 3 or 4 weeks after your treatment is finished. Below are guidelines to help you care for your skin during treatment. Follow these guidelines until your skin gets better.
How do I prepare for pelvic radiotherapy?
As part of the preparation for your radiotherapy we need you to try to limit the amount of gas in your bowel.
Reduce the amount of air you swallow by:
- avoiding chewing gum.
- avoiding fizzy (carbonated) drinks.
- avoiding eating and drinking too fast.
What food is good for radiation treatment? – Related Questions
How do you feel after pelvic radiation?
Radiotherapy to the pelvic area might cause: changes to your bowel habit. bladder inflammation causing pain in your tummy (abdomen) and feeling like you need to pass urine more often (let your doctor know if this happens as it could be an infection) fine cracks in the pelvic bones.
What should you not do before radiation treatment?
Treat skin exposed to radiation with extra care.
Clean the skin daily with warm water and a mild soap recommended by your nurse. Avoid using any lotions, perfumes, deodorants or powders in the treatment area unless approved by your doctor or nurse. Avoid products containing alcohol, which may dry your skin.
How painful is pelvic radiation?
Radiation does not cause pain or discomfort and does not make you radioactive. Pelvic radiation treatments are like having an x-ray between your hips.
Does radiation to the pelvis hurt?
Pelvic radiotherapy can damage the muscles and tissue around the bones in the pelvis, as well as the joints where the bones meet. These areas can become swollen and sore (inflamed). This is known as radiation osteitis and the main symptom is pain in the pelvic area.
Do you have to undress for radiotherapy?
Your radiographer will show you into a changing room where they will ask you to undress from the waist down. They will provide you with a gown to wear. You can keep your underwear on. Dignity is maintained by covering you whenever possible.
How do you empty your bowels before radiation?
To have an empty bowel for your radiotherapy, you can use the enema between 1.5 and 2.5 hours before your radiotherapy appointment. The time will depend on your travel time to the hospital.
How do you feel after first day of radiation?
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.
Can you shower during radiation treatment?
Skin changes
You may shower or bathe throughout your radiation therapy. Your nurse will recommend a mild soap for you to use. It is important to keep skin folds clean and dry.
How much water should I drink before radiation?
1 hour before your radiation treatment appointment each day, empty your bladder and drink 2 cups (500 mL) of water, clear fluids or juice. Finish drinking the liquid as quickly as you can. Do NOT empty your bladder until after your treatment is given each day. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.
Is it better to do radiation in the morning or afternoon?
It really doesn’t matter (at what time of day you have your radiation therapy sessions).
Can you drink coffee during radiation?
Caffeine and alcohol are dehydrating and can irritate the bowel and bladder which is why we suggest you avoid drinking these. If you are reducing your caffeine intake do this slowly, day by day, otherwise you may experience some headaches.
Why do you need full bladder for radiation?
By having a full bladder, a portion of your small bowel can be pushed out of the radiation field. This may decrease your chances and severity of diarrhea. You can ask your health care team why it is important to have a full bladder for treatment.
Do you have to hold your breath during radiation therapy?
During treatment, your radiation therapists will monitor your breathing. If you cough, sneeze, or stop holding your breath, they will turn the treatment machine off. They will start treatment again when you are in the right position and ready to hold your breath.
Will the frequent urination go away after radiation?
External Beam Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy can irritate both the bladder and the urethra, causing inflammation or swelling of the prostate. Most symptoms lessen over time with little or no intervention: Nearly 45% of men report irritative voiding symptoms after six months, and the majority resolve by one year.
Should you drink water before radiation?
Drink 16 oz. of water 30 minutes prior to your treatment to ensure that your bladder is full at the time of treatment. Do not urinate until the radiation treatment has completed.
How can you minimize the side effects of radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy side effects: 5 tips to cope
- Get enough sleep during radiation therapy.
- Treat skin exposed to radiation with TLC.
- Maintain a well-balanced diet.
- Commit to physical activity.
- Get the support you need.
