What Are The Side Effects Of Radiation Therapy?

Nausea And Vomiting

Some individuals who have radiation therapy may experience nausea and vomiting. Nausea is when an individual feels the need to vomit, and vomiting is the mechanical action of food moving backward from the stomach out of the mouth. These side effects can occur with radiation therapy if the chest, brain, abdomen, or the pelvis are exposed to the high energy x-ray or particle beams. Damage to the cells that line the esophagus can cause the patient to have abnormal spasms in the area that can cause them to vomit or feel like they have to vomit. If an individual is having radiation to the head, the vomiting center in their brain could be inappropriately triggered if the nerve cells that contribute to that part of the brain become damaged. The tissues in the stomach lining can cause stomach upset if a patient's radiation treatment damages those types of cells. In some cases, radiation therapy aimed at the pelvis and abdominal area can damage the cells that make up their lining. This mechanism can result in inflammation and irritation of the digestive system that may result in nausea and vomiting.

Get more information on the potential side effects of radiation therapy now.