Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLifestyle ChangesNatural and Alternative RemediesOver-the-Counter OptionsMedication
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Lifestyle Changes
Natural and Alternative Remedies
Over-the-Counter Options
Medication
Radiation therapy side effects include general symptoms like fatigue, with exercise or even acupuncture used to manage discomfort and bring relief. They also include site-specific changes, with mouth sores that occur withhead and neck cancertreatment or heart health changes when radiation targets tissues in the chest.Radiationmay be needed to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors, but it’s more often used for certain cancer types. Targets in the pelvis are common, for example, and can lead to digestive tract problems or sexual dysfunction.Lifestyle changes, natural remedies, and over-the-counter medications can help withradiation side effects.Mark Kostich/Vetta/Getty ImagesLifestyle ChangesA number of lifestyle changes may offer benefits when managing radiation side effects. They include:Exercise: Research studies demonstrate benefits of physical exercise in combatting fatigue. As examples, home-based aerobic exercise and resistance training can be effective in people treated for breast cancer as well as prostate cancer.Oral hygiene: Some people will benefit from careful oral hygiene practices to boost defenses against oral mucositis, a common side effect with cancer types and treatmentsHair care: Radiation and chemotherapy lead to hair loss, so take steps to gently care for your hair. Avoid harsh shampoos and hair dryers, and wear a hat or sunscreen when outdoors.Skin damage: Skin irritation is common, so routine skin care may relieve symptoms.Diet: Radiation can lead to a loss of appetite, as well as nausea and vomiting.Your cancer care team can help you boost nutrition with special diets and food choices.In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for third-party tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.Natural and Alternative RemediesSome studies identify benefits from natural remedies or alternative and complementary practices.Supplements:Certain herbs and supplements may help to relieve symptoms related to radiation. The mineral zinc, for example, may help with mouth sores and pain.There’s increasing evidence that probiotics can help with gastrointestinal (GI) damage.Aloe vera may help to heal skin damage.Yoga:There’s some evidence to suggest that yoga practice may offer benefits, although results are mixed and more study is needed.Acupuncture: A 2024 study looked at symptom relief in people who developed difficulty swallowing, dental health problems, and other effects of head and neck cancer treatment that can become long-term. Along with other studies on acupuncture, it found benefits with treatment.Bioenergy therapy: Techniques like Reiki don’t appear to be more effective than massage, or mindfulness and meditation, in dealing with radiation side effects. Neither do they present risks, so they may be of some comfort during cancer treatment.Be sure to discuss supplement use and other alternative treatments with your healthcare provider. Keep in mind that not all of the natural interventions can help and some may interfere with care.Vitamin C, for example, is not shown to offer benefits even though many people take it for cancer prevention and treatment. Its antioxidant properties may actually interfere with treatment.Radiation Therapy SymptomsRadiation can sometimes harm normal cells in the targeted area, leading to skin damage and fatigue. Some symptoms are site-specific and can include:DiarrheaHair lossNauseaVomitingSexual changes (such as impotence, vaginal dryness, and pain during sex)SwellingDifficulty swallowingUrinary and bladder changes (such asincontinenceand pain during urination)Although most side effects tend to subside within two months of completing radiation therapy, certain side effects may be long-term and emerge months or years later.Over-the-Counter OptionsReadily available products likenonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) can be used to treat pain. Other over-the-counter options can include:Moisturizers and ointments for skin irritationDietary fibersupplements and diarrhea medications for digestive symptomsLubricants for vaginal dryness associated with radiation careYou also can try products like compression socks to help manage swelling that can occur with cancer treatment. Talk with your healthcare provider about over-the-counter options.MedicationCertain medications may help people to manage radiation side effects. Typically, these medications may be used if other remedies and interventions aren’t helping.Your healthcare provider may recommend treatments for a wide range of symptoms that include:Ritalin (methylphenidate) to improve fatigue symptomsAntidepressants andanxietymedications, often used in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapy or other mental health care for stress and depression.Morphine mouthwashes to deal with oral pain and symptomsDiuretics (water pills) to deal with swelling from related cancer treatmentsSummaryRadiation therapy can lead to a number of side effects, including common experiences such as fatigue, skin changes, hair loss, and loss of appetite. Other side effects may arise on the basis of specific radiation targets in the pelvis, chest, or head and neck.Lifestyle changes and home remedies can help to relieve symptoms of radiation side effects. In some cases, medication may be needed. Talk with your healthcare provider about managing radiation side effects and the strategies that may offer benefits.
Radiation therapy side effects include general symptoms like fatigue, with exercise or even acupuncture used to manage discomfort and bring relief. They also include site-specific changes, with mouth sores that occur withhead and neck cancertreatment or heart health changes when radiation targets tissues in the chest.
Radiationmay be needed to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors, but it’s more often used for certain cancer types. Targets in the pelvis are common, for example, and can lead to digestive tract problems or sexual dysfunction.Lifestyle changes, natural remedies, and over-the-counter medications can help withradiation side effects.
Mark Kostich/Vetta/Getty Images
A number of lifestyle changes may offer benefits when managing radiation side effects. They include:
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for third-party tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Some studies identify benefits from natural remedies or alternative and complementary practices.
Be sure to discuss supplement use and other alternative treatments with your healthcare provider. Keep in mind that not all of the natural interventions can help and some may interfere with care.
Vitamin C, for example, is not shown to offer benefits even though many people take it for cancer prevention and treatment. Its antioxidant properties may actually interfere with treatment.
Radiation Therapy SymptomsRadiation can sometimes harm normal cells in the targeted area, leading to skin damage and fatigue. Some symptoms are site-specific and can include:DiarrheaHair lossNauseaVomitingSexual changes (such as impotence, vaginal dryness, and pain during sex)SwellingDifficulty swallowingUrinary and bladder changes (such asincontinenceand pain during urination)Although most side effects tend to subside within two months of completing radiation therapy, certain side effects may be long-term and emerge months or years later.
Radiation Therapy Symptoms
Radiation can sometimes harm normal cells in the targeted area, leading to skin damage and fatigue. Some symptoms are site-specific and can include:DiarrheaHair lossNauseaVomitingSexual changes (such as impotence, vaginal dryness, and pain during sex)SwellingDifficulty swallowingUrinary and bladder changes (such asincontinenceand pain during urination)Although most side effects tend to subside within two months of completing radiation therapy, certain side effects may be long-term and emerge months or years later.
Radiation can sometimes harm normal cells in the targeted area, leading to skin damage and fatigue. Some symptoms are site-specific and can include:
Although most side effects tend to subside within two months of completing radiation therapy, certain side effects may be long-term and emerge months or years later.
Readily available products likenonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) can be used to treat pain. Other over-the-counter options can include:
You also can try products like compression socks to help manage swelling that can occur with cancer treatment. Talk with your healthcare provider about over-the-counter options.
Certain medications may help people to manage radiation side effects. Typically, these medications may be used if other remedies and interventions aren’t helping.
Your healthcare provider may recommend treatments for a wide range of symptoms that include:
Summary
Radiation therapy can lead to a number of side effects, including common experiences such as fatigue, skin changes, hair loss, and loss of appetite. Other side effects may arise on the basis of specific radiation targets in the pelvis, chest, or head and neck.
Lifestyle changes and home remedies can help to relieve symptoms of radiation side effects. In some cases, medication may be needed. Talk with your healthcare provider about managing radiation side effects and the strategies that may offer benefits.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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