A cancer journey can last for months or even years, presenting new challenges as the body responds to the disease and treatment. As cancer cells are targeted, healthy cells can get caught in the crossfire, resulting in loss of appetite, sore mouth, and nausea.
Good hydration is vital for people going through cancer treatment to ensure they feel at their best.
Dehydration occurs when the body loses too much water and other fluids, which can then make side effects, such as nausea, constipation, and fatigue, much worse. Severe dehydration can cause even more serious problems, like weakness, confusion, brain damage, and even death.
Dealing with Nausea
Nausea is one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment and can lead to dehydration and weight loss for many cancer patients. And while it may seem counterintuitive to try and force liquids in when nothing is staying down, if someone is consistently not hungry or thirsty and is losing weight, their condition should be addressed with a healthcare provider or nutrition specialist.
Water is always a great choice to stay hydrated, but in certain instances, drinks with electrolytes may be more helpful to subdue nauseous feelings. Other beverage alternatives to water may include:
- Broth
- Ginger ale or ginger tea
- Iced tea
- Sports drinks
Additionally, high-calorie drinks can be beneficial in helping patients stay hydrated and maintain their weight and muscle mass, which patients need to conserve their physical strength. Make sure to consider any additional health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes when selecting appropriate beverages or seek advice from the patient’s primary care provider.
Drinks to Skip During Cancer Treatment
While hydration is important, certain beverages can interfere with medications or make side effects worse, like alcohol, certain herbal teas, grapefruit juice, or green tea.
When it comes to caffeinated drinks, some patients can tolerate them while others find that the caffeine makes nausea worse or inhibits their appetite.
Carbonated drinks or caffeine-free sodas can help with nausea, but they may also cause bloating or irritate mouth sores.
When in doubt if a certain drink is an appropriate choice, always talk with a care provider.
Tips for Staying Hydrated in the Texas Summer
Keeping cool during high temperatures, such as those experienced during summer in Texas, is essential. However, as a cancer patient, it's even more crucial to take extra precautions to stay hydrated during the hot summer months since some cancer treatments can make the body more sensitive to the sun and heat.
When it comes to summer hydration:
- Drink water regularly (as tolerated) throughout the day, even if not thirsty.
- Carry a portable water bottle and take small, frequent sips.
- Outdoor activity and sweating can cause a loss of the body’s salts and water, so keep an electrolyte drink handy.
- Hydrating foods count, too. Consuming hot or chilled soups, smoothies, frozen pops, jello, and fruits and vegetables with high water content like watermelon, lettuce, broccoli, and cucumber will help keep the body hydrated and cooled.
- Urine color is an indicatior for adequate hydration. Light yellow or pale-colored urine typically indicates good hydration, while darker yellow or amber-colored urine suggests one may need to drink more water or fluids.