By Anabel BL Fisher
Radiation side effects are often the result of what we call radiation therapy or simply radiotherapy. It is the use of ionizing radiation to treat cancer or control the spread of cancer cells. Combined with surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or hormone therapy, radiotherapy becomes more effective. In some way, most common cancer types can be treated with radiotherapy.
The therapy works by damaging the cancerous cells' DNA or Deoxyribonucleic Acid caused by photon. Due to cell mechanism of repairing damaged DNA with a single-strand, then double-stranded breaks are being undertaken to cause the death of cells. This technique, long time since, has been proven.
The treatment or therapy is painless and some results to minimal or no radiation side effects. However, this refers to low doses only. Inducing high doses may produce side effects depending on the patient's response. While some are predictable and others are expected negative effects, these are always limited to the patient's body area which is undergoing the treatment.
In the modern times, the main goal is to only experience very little such effects. Some reported bad effects include skin irritation and fatigue. For the skin irritation, it might look like a mild sun burn. On the other hand, the fatigue is usually felt in the middle of the treatment which can last for weeks or until the treatment end.
The above mentioned are just mild. There are acute side effects of radiation which can damage the human body. Severe skin breakdown may happen. Also, ulceration in the mouth and throat maybe felt by the patient and this can affect swallowing and eating.
Infertility is another one. Remember that the ovaries and testicles are parts of the reproductive system that is very sensitive to radiation.
Unlike other therapy treatment that gradually lessens until totally removed and healed after the treatment sessions, radiation therapy has late sub effects. Though limited to the area that has been treated, these effects occur because of the damaged blood vessels and other connective tissues. Loss of hair occur, dryness is felt, heart disease risk, and other cumulative sub effects.
Let us take prostate cancer for instance. New technologies emerge and this means that it can be dealt with more effectively and efficiently than in the previous times. More men are developing the illness and are experiencing the problems. However, with the treatment comes some unwanted effects and it can be daunting to patients who has to undergo the therapy because it brings more problems than expected.
Impotence is one of the most frustrating effects. The sexual drive might still be there but there will be difficulty in erection or the person might not be able to maintain it. Incontinence is another embarrassing bad effect. The extent of damage could vary on the incontinence problems.
Radiation side effects should always be given proper consideration and immediate action before any undertaking is done. It is because we can never bring back all the loss once the therapy has started to damage areas of the body as well as its functions and performance.
Radiation side effects are often the result of what we call radiation therapy or simply radiotherapy. It is the use of ionizing radiation to treat cancer or control the spread of cancer cells. Combined with surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or hormone therapy, radiotherapy becomes more effective. In some way, most common cancer types can be treated with radiotherapy.
The therapy works by damaging the cancerous cells' DNA or Deoxyribonucleic Acid caused by photon. Due to cell mechanism of repairing damaged DNA with a single-strand, then double-stranded breaks are being undertaken to cause the death of cells. This technique, long time since, has been proven.
The treatment or therapy is painless and some results to minimal or no radiation side effects. However, this refers to low doses only. Inducing high doses may produce side effects depending on the patient's response. While some are predictable and others are expected negative effects, these are always limited to the patient's body area which is undergoing the treatment.
In the modern times, the main goal is to only experience very little such effects. Some reported bad effects include skin irritation and fatigue. For the skin irritation, it might look like a mild sun burn. On the other hand, the fatigue is usually felt in the middle of the treatment which can last for weeks or until the treatment end.
The above mentioned are just mild. There are acute side effects of radiation which can damage the human body. Severe skin breakdown may happen. Also, ulceration in the mouth and throat maybe felt by the patient and this can affect swallowing and eating.
Infertility is another one. Remember that the ovaries and testicles are parts of the reproductive system that is very sensitive to radiation.
Unlike other therapy treatment that gradually lessens until totally removed and healed after the treatment sessions, radiation therapy has late sub effects. Though limited to the area that has been treated, these effects occur because of the damaged blood vessels and other connective tissues. Loss of hair occur, dryness is felt, heart disease risk, and other cumulative sub effects.
Let us take prostate cancer for instance. New technologies emerge and this means that it can be dealt with more effectively and efficiently than in the previous times. More men are developing the illness and are experiencing the problems. However, with the treatment comes some unwanted effects and it can be daunting to patients who has to undergo the therapy because it brings more problems than expected.
Impotence is one of the most frustrating effects. The sexual drive might still be there but there will be difficulty in erection or the person might not be able to maintain it. Incontinence is another embarrassing bad effect. The extent of damage could vary on the incontinence problems.
Radiation side effects should always be given proper consideration and immediate action before any undertaking is done. It is because we can never bring back all the loss once the therapy has started to damage areas of the body as well as its functions and performance.
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