Water

There are some situations in which a cancer patient may want to be sure to drink more water than usual. Some of these situations would include having nausea or diarrhea during treatment (these can lead to dehydration), receiving treatment that makes it difficult to swallow, or getting a chemotherapy that is potentially toxic to the kidneys. The question remains, how much water is enough? That can depend on a lot of factors (physical activity, humidity in the environment, amount of perspiration) and can vary from one individual to another. The Institute of Medicine recommends about 13 cups for men and 9 cups for women as a general guideline. Logic would dictate that you certainly need enough to prevent dehydration. Some of the symptoms of dehydration include fatigue, headache, lightheadedness, dry mouth and skin, decreased urination, constipation, and of course thirst. There are some situations in which a cancer patient may want to be sure to drink more water than usual. Some of these situations would include having nausea or diarrhea during treatment (these can lead to dehydration), receiving treatment that makes it difficult to swallow, or getting a chemotherapy that is potentially toxic to the kidneys. The question remains, how much water is enough? That can depend on a lot of factors (physical activity, humidity in the environment, amount of perspiration) and can vary from one individual to another. The Institute of Medicine recommends about 13 cups for men and 9 cups for women as a general guideline. Logic would dictate that you certainly need enough to prevent dehydration. Some of the symptoms of dehydration include fatigue, headache, lightheadedness, dry mouth and skin, decreased urination, constipation, and of course thirst.

As a consequence of chemotherapy medications and the side effects of the treatment, body fluids are lost. It is extremely important for your health that you replenish these fluids.

The general daily recommended intake of fluids is 9 cups for women and 13 cups for men. As well, in addition to this daily amount, it is recommended you drink 8 ounces of fluid for every time you vomit or experience diarrhea.

A couple of common ways we lose excess fluids may be vomiting and diarrhea. I recommend keeping a daily record estimating how much fluid you are losing from urinating, vomiting and diarrhea relative to a normal day. You should replace the extra fluid you lose in addition to the 9-13 cups needed to fulfill your daily requirement.

Some suggestions for fluids that you may drink are:
- water
- juices and sports drinks
- ice chips, flavored ices, frozen juices, and popsicles

You should avoid dehydrating fluids such as alcohol and caffeinated beverages (sodas, coffee and tea).

Tips to make sure you drink enough are:
- Drink all day especially between meals.
- Take a bottle of water wherever you go

An indicator that you are drinking enough fluids is if you are not thirsty and your urine is pale yellow.

If your physician is worried about dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea, medications may be prescribed to treat these side effects. As a consequence of chemotherapy medications and the side effects of the treatment, body fluids are lost. It is extremely important for your health that you replenish these fluids.

The general daily recommended intake of fluids is 9 cups for women and 13 cups for men. As well, in addition to this daily amount, it is recommended you drink 8 ounces of fluid for every time you vomit or experience diarrhea.

A couple of common ways we lose excess fluids may be vomiting and diarrhea. I recommend keeping a daily record estimating how much fluid you are losing from urinating, vomiting and diarrhea relative to a normal day. You should replace the extra fluid you lose in addition to the 9-13 cups needed to fulfill your daily requirement.

Some suggestions for fluids that you may drink are:
- water
- juices and sports drinks
- ice chips, flavored ices, frozen juices, and popsicles

You should avoid dehydrating fluids such as alcohol and caffeinated beverages (sodas, coffee and tea).

Tips to make sure you drink enough are:
- Drink all day especially between meals.
- Take a bottle of water wherever you go

An indicator that you are drinking enough fluids is if you are not thirsty and your urine is pale yellow.

If your physician is worried about dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea, medications may be prescribed to treat these side effects.