If untreated, dehydration is a dangerous condition that can be fatal. Staying hydrated is crucial for all individuals, especially if you're a terminal cancer patient. According to studies, dehydration is a symptom of cancer therapy, along with vomiting and diarrhea. Dehydration can also result from infections, high fevers, bleeding, or not drinking enough water.

If you are undergoing cancer treatment, you should be aware of issues related to dehydration and take adequate measures to prevent it. You can follow our guide to learn more about chronic dehydration and cancer.

Four Things You Should Know About Cancer and Dehydration

1. Symptoms of Feeling Dehydrated 
Doctors claim that if you lightly squeeze and pull up your skin and it remains upright in a “tent”, you are dehydrated. Additional signs include:

• Dry mouth
• Crinkled and loose skin
• Dry, thick body secretions
• Little or non-existent urination
• Dark-colored urine
• Headache
• Light-headedness /dizziness

If you identify these signs, consult your doctor immediately. 

2. Keep Track of Your Fluid Intake and Output
Without measuring it, it's difficult to determine how much fluid you're losing. Keep track of how frequently you have diarrhea or vomiting rather than measuring your output. It’s also important to track how much water you drink per day. You can do this by using a water bottle or cup that holds a specific amount of liquid.

3. If You Can’t Keep Fluids Down, Try Ice or Little Sips of Liquids
Your fluid intake can be increased by ingesting little bits of ice. The drawback is that it takes a substantial amount of ice to have an effect. Try juice, bouillon, water, soda, or whatever else you can stand. Avoid caffeine and alcohol since they may make dehydration worse.

4. Treat Fluid Loss When the First Signs of Dehydration Appear
Treating symptoms that are causing dehydration is the first step. To get advice on how to handle these symptoms, consult your doctor or nurse. The next stage is to keep consuming fluids to make up for those you've lost.

When Is the Time to Call a Doctor?

You should contact your doctor if you encounter these issues:

• Keeping fluids down is difficult
• Symptoms beyond your control
• Body temperature of more than 100.4 °F
• Extreme drowsiness
• Signs of confusion and irritability

Tips to Avoid Dehydration

You can follow these tips to prevent yourself from dehydration:

• Drink continuously: Some medical professionals advise drinking at least eight glasses of fluids daily, and much more if you have diarrhea or vomiting.
• Try different liquids: Fluids include things like milk, juice, sports drinks, and decaffeinated coffee or tea. Drinks with ice can occasionally make swallowing easier.
• Foods also count: Food with a high liquid content includes soups, frozen pops, gelatins, fruits, and vegetables. Pick meals like watermelon, lettuce, and broccoli that are high in water content.
• Stay on ice chips: If the thought of drinking or eating makes you queasy, try ice chips.
• Keep track: Keep track of how many ounces of fluids you consume as well as how frequently you experience diarrhea or vomiting.

Final Takeaway

Dehydration in terminal cancer patients is one of the side effects of immunotherapy treatment. If not treated at the right time, this dehydration can cause major problems in a patient’s life, even after recovering from cancer. Thus, you should keep yourself hydrated throughout your cancer treatment.

If you want to learn more about cancer treatment options, contact us today. Our focus at Chesapeake Oncology-Hematology Associates is to provide world-class, compassionate care for all.

Also Read: Is Anemia a Sign of Colon Cancer?