Stay Hydrated During Cancer Treatment

MrandMrsNurse
Apr 10, 2023
2 min read

Updated: May 2, 2023

IV hydration can be used to deliver minerals and vitamins to individuals undergoing cancer treatment. This can help support their overall health and well-being, and may even help manage certain side effects of treatment. Here are some examples of minerals and vitamins that may be included in your DripzIV hydration for cancer patients:

Magnesium: This mineral is essential for muscle and nerve function, and may help manage certain side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea and vomiting.
Calcium: Calcium is important for bone health, and may be especially important for cancer patients who are at increased risk for bone loss.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that may help support the immune system and reduce inflammation. It may also help manage certain side effects of chemotherapy.
B vitamins: B vitamins are important for energy production and may help manage fatigue, which is a common side effect of cancer treatment.
Zinc: Zinc is important for immune function and may help reduce the risk of infection in cancer patients.

Water transports nutrients and oxygen, protects our organs and lubricates our joints. It also helps regulate heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature.

“Water is the driving force of all nature,” Leonardo da Vinci once said. Earth is 70 percent water; our bodies are 60 percent. And just as water gives life to our planet, it is a driving life force in the human body.

As important as it is to stay hydrated when you’re well, studies show it’s essential during cancer treatment. “Good hydration helps flush toxins out of the body and reduce treatment side effects, such as nausea, weakness, constipation and fatigue,” says Melissa Picchietti, RD, LDN, a Clinical Oncology Dietitian at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) in Chicago.

It's important to note that the specific minerals and vitamins included in IV hydration will vary depending on the individual's needs and treatment plan.

However, maintaining hydration may be a challenge for patients who are unable to consume enough fluid or who lose too much due to the symptoms of the disease or side effects of treatment. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may cause fever or gastrointestinal (GI) distress, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Loss of appetite and changes to the way things taste are also common, which may affect how much you eat and drink, contributing to dehydration.

Certain medications may also play a role. For example, diuretics prescribed to treat high blood pressure and several chemotherapy drugs are designed to increase urination, so taking them may put you at increased risk.

“One of the keys for cancer patients is understanding that you have to replace fluids that are lost,” says Picchietti. “Even without treatment side effects, your body is constantly losing water as you breathe, sweat, urinate and defecate.”

Severe dehydration may require hospitalization and treatment with IV fluids and electrolytes to restore the body’s fluid balance. But even mild dehydration may disrupt your cancer treatment plan, since some drugs can only be safely given if your body is adequately hydrated.