Staying Hydrated During Cancer Treatment

Staying adequately hydrated has a significant impact on quality of life, especially during cancer treatment.

3 Action Steps

1. Drink something every 2-3 hours during the day. Set an alarm or ask a friend or loved one to remind you when it’s been 2 hours.
2. Have beverages on hand that taste good to you. If plain water isn’t appealing to your taste buds, have a variety of beverage options to choose from.
3. Treat the Cause of Dehydration. Determine if the cause of fluid intake is from vomiting, diarrhea, or simply not enough fluid intake.

Sometimes cancer, and cancer treatment, can result in poor appetite, difficulty eating or challenges with digesting food. This not only affects your energy and protein intake, it also makes it challenging to stay hydrated.

Fluids carry nutrients to cells, flush bacteria from the bladder and prevent constipation. Staying hydrated makes treatment side effects less severe and lowers your chances of missing or delaying cancer treatments.

Since dehydration can stop normal body functions and be quite dangerous, staying hydrated during treatment is important for protecting your organs from long-term damage.

Fluid needs are different for each person. It will depend on your age, weight, and treatment regimen. Ask your dietitian for a personalized recommendation.

5 Hydration Tips

1. Try to identify the cause of dehydration. If vomiting or diarrhea is present, talk to your medical team about managing those side effects.
2. If you’re able to eat, water is your best hydration beverage.
3. If your electrolytes are low because of vomiting, diarrhea or you are unable to eat, then use a rehydration beverage.
4. Sucking on ice chips or popsicles can help increase fluid intake between meals.
5. You can also get some of the fluid you need from other beverages like milk, sports drinks, tea, coffee, and moist foods like soup, jello, yogurt, sherbet, and pudding.

For additional information, check out these evidence-based articles:

• From OncoLink: https://www.oncolink.org/support/side-effects/gastrointestinal-side-effects/diarrhea/preventing-dehydration-during-cancer-treatment
• From Cancer.net: https://www.cancer.net/coping-with-cancer/physical-emotional-and-social-effects-cancer/managing-physical-side-effects/dehydration
• From American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/eating-problems/fluids-and-dehydration.html

Check out these really simple Rehydration Recipes that can help replace electrolytes and fluids when you’re dehydrated. They can be useful anytime someone is sick!

-Julie

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