If you've been diagnosed with cancer, you probably have a million thoughts running through your mind. If your doctor has scheduled you for chemotherapy, you'll have a lot of information to process. Chemotherapy is an essential part of cancer treatment. However, it can come with its own severe side effects. Here are just a few tips that will help you alleviate the discomfort associated with chemotherapy:
Always Keep Chapstick on Hand
Chemotherapy can dry out your lips. Unfortunately, the dryer your lips get, the more likely they are to crack and bleed. Not only that, but some chemotherapy drugs can lead to cold sores, which can become quite painful. To help alleviate the dryness and discomfort, be sure to always keep chapstick on hand. Experiment with flavors and brands until you find the right one for you. Because your lips might become quite delicate, it's a good idea to use a brand that glides on easily. That will help prevent further damage to your lips.
Carry Hard Candies Everywhere
During chemo, dryness doesn't stop with your lips. The inside of your mouth can also become quite dry. One way to alleviate the dryness is with hard candy. Hard candy stimulates the salivary glands, which helps keep your mouth properly hydrated. Not only that but if you choose candies such as ginger candies or mints, they can also help reduce nausea. If there are times when you can't stomach candies, you can use glycerin swabs to moisten the inside of your mouth. You can find glycerin swabs at your local medical supply store, or pharmacy.
Use Natural Nausea Treatment
Chemotherapy can cause severe nausea. It can also cause you to lose your appetite. To help combat the nausea and increase your appetite, you should use natural treatments, including cannabis. Cannabis has been found to reduce nausea associated with chemotherapy and to also improve your appetite. Medical cannabis is available in oil form, and even in edible form. Cannabis infused edibles such as candies and baked goods will allow you to obtain relief from the debilitating effects of chemotherapy.
Relax with a Cooling Cap
It's not uncommon to lose your hair during chemotherapy. One reason for the hair loss is because chemotherapy can elevate your body temperature, which can destroy the hair follicles. Cooling caps are an effective way to reduce your body temperature and prevent hair loss. Not only that, but the cooling caps are a soothing way to cool yourself down during those unbearable hot flashes. Cooling caps can be worn throughout treatment.
Share9 November 2017
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