Physician warns of three most cancers signs that would worsen throughout summer season
While excessive temperatures provide the right alternative to take advantage of out of spending time open air – whether or not you hit the native seashore or have a picnic in your go-to park – they might additionally worsen underlying health issues.
According to Dr Deborah Lee, from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, warmth might take a toll on cancer signs.
Dr Lee stated: “Cancer causes a variety of miserable symptoms, many of which are likely to worsen in the summer months.
“This is because high temperatures increase the risk of three conditions – dehydration, skin sensitivity and infection.”
The physician defined that these three issues could possibly be linked to any most cancers however they’re extra frequent with cancers which have superior or unfold.
Dehydration
Cancer sufferers typically battle with debilitating signs, together with nausea and vomiting, which might depart them with a poor urge for food and reluctance to drink.
Dr Lee stated: “In the hot summer, we are all advised to increase our fluid intake to three litres a day, but this may not be possible for those with cancer.
“In addition, chemotherapy and radiotherapy can affect kidney function which further disrupts fluid balance.”
The physician advisable looking for signs of dehydration, together with dry mouth, cracked lips, tiredness, dizziness, headache and passing much less urine.
Skin sensitivity
Chemotherapy is understood for its lengthy record of undesirable unintended effects, with the pores and skin additionally taking successful.
Dr Lee stated: “One consequence of chemotherapy is an increased sensitivity of the skin to the effects of UV radiation.
“Many cancer patients have dry, itchy skin, and being in the sun can make these symptoms worse. They are also at increased risk of sunburn.
“Sometimes patients can develop photoallergic reactions, meaning they develop a rash after sun exposure on non-sun-exposed sites.”
Increased threat of an infection
Another undesirable facet impact of chemotherapy is that sufferers typically have a low white blood cell rely, which places them at an elevated threat of an infection.
Worryingly, some microorganisms reproduce faster in the summertime months, posing a better threat of infections, equivalent to gastroenteritis, in keeping with the physician.
Dr Lee stated: “Summer activities, like swimming in the sea, lakes and rivers, put cancer patients at increased risk of infections such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Norovirus and E.coli.
“These can cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, worsening symptoms cancer patients may have already.”
The physician added that affected by any of the indicators described above warrants contacting your GP or most cancers workforce.