Why is hydration important in chemo and radiotherapy?

Hydration is an important aspect of maintaining health and helping the body to heal even while you are normal. While you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, your body also has various toxins and waste products from both the breakdown of cells from the treatment as well as the metabolic end products of the medications you take. This makes it all the more important to have water while undergoing cancer treatment.  

While you may be undergoing treatment or due to side effects, your consumption of water may go down below what you used to. Apart from this, the gastro-intestinal complications of cancer treatment include diarrhea, vomiting, and other problems that lead to an increased loss of water from your body. You may also experience a loss of appetite and a reduced intake of water from food. It is important to keep in mind that one of the most important aspects to make you feel better while undergoing the treatment is to stay hydrated. 

How can you know you are dehydrated?

If you notice any of the signs or symptoms below, you are likely dehydrated:

1. Mild symptoms:
   1. Fatigue or exhaustion
   2. Weakness or light-headedness
   3. Dizziness
   4. Constipation
2. Moderate symptoms:
   1. The dark yellow color of urine
   2. Decrease in the quantity of urine
   3. Dry skin, lips, or stickiness inside the mouth
   4. Headache
3. Severe symptoms:
   1. Vomiting or feeling like vomiting
   2. Lack of sweat
   3. Extreme thirst
   4. Falling blood pressure
   5. Confusion
   6. Rapid heart rate

What to do if water is not tasing fine when you take chemotherapy?

Carry water with you and set reminders to continuously have water

Make it a habit to keep drinking water. If you start experiencing symptoms of dehydration, increase your water and food intake. This will quickly help rehydrate you before the situation becomes more critical. You may set reminders on your mobile device or ask a family member to assist with the reminders. 

Adding electrolytes or diluted juice

Water may start developing a metallic taste when you are receiving chemotherapy. You can add a few additives to the water to enhance its taste. The addition of electrolytes not just helps to enhance the taste of water but also increases the rate of absorption and retention of water in your body leading to lesser loss of water and dehydration. 

Small sips can go a long way

Small sips of water or as much as you can tolerate in one go is enough to keep yourself hydrated if done more frequently. Start with small sips and slowly increase the quantity and the frequency of the sips. 

Track your consumption

It is important to keep a record and diary of your consumption of water. This will help you detect and correct problems as they come up. 

Caring for your skin and lips

Dehydration also affects your skin and lips. Using topical moisturizers can help with this and prevent the discomfort caused by this. 

Dietary changes

Hydrating food items increase the intake of water indirectly. Switching to more hydrating foods will naturally improve your water intake. Some examples of this include vegetables and fruits (fresh, not dried), soups, rice water, or khichdi without too much salt, etc. 

Symptomatic treatment

If you experience symptoms of diarrhea or vomiting, inform your doctor immediately. They can provide you with medication to relieve the symptoms and allow you to tolerate water and food far better.