Chemotherapy, a common cancer treatment, can lead to dehydration, a condition where the body loses more fluid than it takes in. Understanding how this occurs and implementing effective hydration strategies are important for individuals undergoing treatment. This article explains how chemotherapy causes dehydration and offers practical advice for maintaining fluid balance.
How Chemotherapy Affects Hydration
Chemotherapy’s common side effects often contribute to significant fluid loss or reduced fluid intake. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are frequent side effects that lead to direct fluid loss and make drinking difficult. Diarrhea can also rapidly deplete the body of essential electrolytes.
Taste changes and reduced appetite can decrease overall fluid consumption, as individuals may find beverages unappealing. Mucositis, causing painful mouth and throat sores, makes swallowing uncomfortable, further limiting intake. Fever, from treatment or infection, also increases fluid needs through sweating.
Some chemotherapy drugs can directly affect kidney function or increase urination, impacting fluid balance. These combined factors make maintaining proper hydration challenging during chemotherapy.
Identifying Dehydration Signs
Recognizing the signs of dehydration helps address it promptly. Early indicators include increased thirst, often accompanied by a dry mouth, lips, or tongue. Reduced urination, with urine appearing darker than usual, also signals a need for fluids.
As dehydration progresses, individuals may experience fatigue, dizziness, or lightheadedness. Other physical signs can include headaches, dry skin, and sunken eyes. Low blood pressure and increased body temperature can signal a more advanced state of dehydration.
Effective Hydration Strategies
Maintaining consistent fluid intake is a primary strategy to prevent dehydration during chemotherapy. Sipping small amounts of fluids throughout the day is often more manageable than trying to drink large quantities at once. Recommended fluids include water, clear broths, diluted fruit juices, and oral rehydration solutions. Sucking on ice chips can also provide a slow, steady source of hydration, especially when swallowing is difficult.
Incorporate foods with high water content, such as fruits (watermelon, strawberries) and vegetables (lettuce, cucumber, zucchini), to supplement fluid intake. Limit or avoid beverages high in sugar, caffeine, and alcohol, as they can have a diuretic effect or upset the stomach. Managing side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea with prescribed medications is important, as controlling these symptoms reduces fluid loss. Tracking daily fluid intake helps ensure adequate hydration.
Why Staying Hydrated Matters and When to Get Help
Maintaining proper hydration during chemotherapy is important for several reasons. Adequate fluid levels help the body process and eliminate chemotherapy drugs, supporting the kidneys in filtering waste products from the system. Hydration also helps reduce the severity of many treatment-related side effects, contributing to overall comfort and well-being.
If left unaddressed, dehydration can lead to serious complications, including seizures, kidney failure, shock, and a decreased ability to fight infections. Knowing when to seek professional medical attention is important. Contact your care team immediately if you are unable to keep fluids down, experience severe dizziness, confusion, very dark urine, or no urination for an extended period. A rapid heartbeat or persistent extreme thirst also require prompt medical evaluation.