What effect does radiotherapy have on the body

The effects of radiotherapy on the body include fatigue, skin reactions, digestive system problems, blood system changes, oral problems, radiation pneumonia or pulmonary fibrosis, etc. 1. Fatigue During radiotherapy, the body will consume more energy to repair the damage, which is easy to cause fatigue. The patient may feel extremely tired and weak. This fatigue may last for a period of time or even after the end of radiotherapy. 2. Skin reaction The skin of the irradiated part may appear redness, itching, dryness, desquamation, and blisters and erosions in severe cases. This is because radiation can cause damage to skin cells. 3. Digestive system problems such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, etc. This is mainly caused by radiation stimulation of gastrointestinal mucosa. 4. Changes in the blood system may lead to a decrease in the number of white blood cells, platelets and other blood cells, which reduces the body's ability to resist infection and increases the risk of bleeding.5. Oral problems For patients with head and neck radiotherapy, oral mucositis, dry mouth, taste changes, etc. may occur, affecting eating and oral health. 6. Radiation pneumonia or pulmonary fibrosis may occur during chest radiotherapy, causing symptoms such as cough and dyspnea. Although radiotherapy may cause these effects, doctors will evaluate the patient thoroughly before treatment, weigh the pros and cons, and take appropriate measures to minimize these adverse reactions to ensure the safety and effectiveness of treatment. At the same time, patients should closely cooperate with the doctor's guidance during radiotherapy, do a good job of self-care and observation, if there is discomfort, inform the doctor in time, so as to deal with it in time.