Tips To Relieve Side Effects
Overcoming the side effects of cancer treatment can take time. In addition, the kind of cancer you have and the treatment you have received may impact your experiences. It is also essential to remember that no two people are the same, so even if they have the same type of cancer and have received the same treatment, each person experiences very different changes.
Below are some of the problems that can occur when treatment is over.
FATIGUE:
Fatigue is among the most common complaints during the initial year following treatment. Fatigue can also be caused by depression, inadequate nutrition, insufficient fluid intake, or anemia (too few red blood cells). Fatigue can also be made worse by pain.
Tips: fighting fatigue
How do you fight fatigue? Here are some ideas:
| Plan your day. Get physical exercise during the day when you are most alert and energetic. |
| Work more efficiently to save energy. Sit on a stool, for instance, while you cook or wash dishes. |
| Between activities, take a brief nap or get some rest. Then, every day, try to go to bed and wake up at the same time. |
| Please do what you like, but only do a little of it. Choose pastimes that don’t tire you, whether old or new. |
| Consider joining a cancer support and awareness group. In addition, you can learn new coping mechanisms by discussing your fatigue with others who have experienced the same problem. |
PAIN:
Pain may occur after the treatment. However, in some cases, they are caused because of the treatment itself.
Following cancer treatment, you may experience the following types of pain:
Tenderness of the skin in the regions where you received radiation. This kind of pain occurs frequently and can last for several months.
Injury to a nerve can cause pain or numbness in the hands and feet. Likewise, surgery or chemotherapy can affect nerves, resulting in severe pain. Neuropathy is the name for this.
The key to relief is to follow your doctor’s instructions closely. You may fear the side effects, but this can be managed if you see your doctor regularly. The doctor may suggest one or more of the following approaches.
LYMPHEDEMA: ARM OR LEG SWELLING:
A condition known as lymphedema is characterized by the swelling of a specific area of the body, typically an arm or leg. An accumulation of lymphatic fluid brings on this swelling. It can be brought on by cancer or by treatment for cancer.
Lymphedema can take many different forms. Some kinds show up right after surgery, are mild, and go away quickly. Other types are excruciating and can occur months or years after cancer treatment.
Tips: Lymphedema prevention or treatment.
| Look for signs of infection or swelling (such as redness, pain, heat, or fever). Inform your doctor if your arm or leg is hurting or swollen. |
| Cuts, insect bites, and sunburn should be avoided. Avoid getting blood tests or injections in this area. |
| Eat a well-balanced diet high in protein and low in salt. |
| Keep seeing your doctor regularly. |
| On your arm or leg, wear clothing that fits loosely. |
| Avoid to use that arm or leg to determine the temperature of cooked food or bath water. |
PROBLEMS WITH YOUR MOUTH OR TEETH:
Cancer patients may experience issues with their teeth and mouths.
Most people who have received radiation therapy to the head and neck, most who have received bone marrow transplants, and individuals undergoing chemotherapy may experience this.
This may cause the following :
You may experience many of the issues if treated with certain kinds of chemotherapy.
Tips:
- Keep your mouth clean. Every day, floss your teeth gently.
- After every meal and before bed, use an extra-soft toothbrush to brush your tongue, gums, and teeth. Soak the bristles in warm water if it hurts.
- Use toothpaste with low levels of fluoride and an alcohol-free mouthwash.
- Stay away from the bleeding or painful areas of your gums if they are bleeding or sore, but continue flossing your other teeth.
- Use 1/4 teaspoon baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon salt in 1 cup of warm water to rinse your mouth twice daily. Then use clear water to rinse the mouth.
- After meals, clean, brush, and rinse your dentures if you have them. Take them to your dentist to have them checked to make sure they still fit well.
- Toothpicks irritate your mouth, and sugary foods like candy or soda can cause tooth decay.
- Avoid all tobacco products and alcoholic beverages
Weight changes:
Some cancer survivors who have received specific chemotherapy regimens or have taken certain medications have problems gaining weight, they don’t feel like eating, and they lose weight.
TIPS:
- Strengthen your arms and shoulders with exercises if you’ve lost muscle and gained fat.
- Talking to a nutritionist or nutritionist can help you plan a healthy diet that will help you maintain a healthy weight.
Some people who have had radiation or chemotherapy to the head or neck may have trouble eating because they have difficulty swallowing. This problem can also occur in people with radiation to their chest or chest or had surgery on their larynx.
If you have trouble swallowing:
- Eat soft, bland foods moistened with sauces. Pudding, ice cream, soups, applesauce, bananas, and other soft fruits are nutritious and usually easy to swallow.
- Take sips of water every few minutes to make swallowing and speaking easier. So that you always have something to drink, bring a water bottle.
Control of the bowel and bladder:
Problems with the bowel and bladder are among the most upsetting side effects of cancer treatments. Treatment for bladder, prostate, colon, rectum, ovarian, or other cancers can result in loss of bladder or bowel control.
Symptoms of Menopause:
Some cancer treatments can alter women’s bodies, decreasing the number of hormones produced. Your missed period and other menopausal symptoms may result from these changes.
Let Your Doctor Help You with Menopause Symptoms
See a gynecologist every year.
- Your doctor may suggest medications, supplements, or other approaches help you manage menopause symptoms.
- Menopause can put you at risk of losing bone tissue, weakening your bones and making them easier to break.
- Additionally, menopause can raise cholesterol levels in the blood, raising your risk of heart and blood vessel diseases.
Tips: Relieving Menopausal Symptoms
The following suggestions have proven to be helpful to some individuals in coping with menopausal symptoms:
- Stop smoking.
- A balanced diet provides the most nutrients and calories your body needs to stay healthy.
- Try to maintain a healthy weight through exercise and diet
- Drink plenty of water
Intimacy and sexuality:
- Changes in your body are frequently the root cause of sexual issues after cancer treatment—surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, or the effects of painkillers.
- Sometimes these problems are caused by depression, guilt about cancer, changes in body image after surgery, and stress between you and your partner.
Get help from your doctor for sexual problems: Frequently, sexual problems don’t get better on their own.
To get help with many of these issues, you must talk to your doctor and discuss any medical problems that may be causing changes in your sex life.
These may include:
- Problems with getting an erection
- Vaginal dryness.
- Concerns regarding having children and what you can do.
Other health problems:
The effects of aging or other health issues you may have had before getting cancer, such as diabetes or heart disease, may exacerbate the long-term effects of cancer and its treatment for some survivors.
It would help if you tell your doctor about the following:
- Any health problems you have
- Any medicines you are taking for these diseases.
The first step is to recognize your fears and concerns.
Information and education are essential to regain control of your health.
Seeking professional help can and will bring relief. Many concerns after cancer treatment are typical, and feeling supported and guided along the way is essential.
At Apollo Hospitals, we provide the best care during and after your treatment. However, we understand that being diagnosed with cancer and the following months of treatment are physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging. We wish to equip you with the best practices to help you take better care of yourself at home after your cancer treatments.
