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Coping With The Side Effects of Cancer Treatment: A Guide

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#health #wellness #treatment #selfcare
Published
08/26/2024

Although treatments set out to make you feel better in the long run, they often have side effects that can make you feel worse than you did previously. If that is the case, and side effects like hair loss, nausea and vomiting, mouth ulcers, and dry skin are getting you down, here is a guide that can help you cope with them until they pass.

Rest

The best and most obvious step that you can take to cope with the side effects of cancer treatment is to let them happen. Rather than pushing through the side effects and battling on, you should instead listen to your body and take the time out that you need. By doing this, you might find that your body heals faster and that you can preserve your energy for the activities that are most important to you. Although you might find resting frustrating, especially if you are an active person, this rest can help you to feel better. You might cheer yourself up when you are resting by switching on a favorite movie or reading a book that can act as escapism from your situation.

Speak to Your Doctor

If you are struggling to cope with the side effects of your treatment, you should speak to your doctor as soon as you can or the experts at the cancer center that you are receiving treatment from, for instance, Moffitt Cancer Center. They might be able to give you individualized tips to help you cope with some of the most common side effects. For instance, they might prescribe you cream for your dry skin, or they might be able to give you anti-nausea medication and help you to rehydrate. Not only this, but if the side effects are unbearable and do more harm than good, they might be able to adapt your treatment plan to minimize the harmful side effect.

Invest in a Wig

Cancer treatments like chemotherapy can often cause your hair to fall out, and you might decide to shave it off before it does to limit the emotional strain of this. If this has knocked your confidence and is preventing you from leaving the house, you should consider investing in a wig. Investing in a wig can give you back the hair that you are missing and can give you a sense of normalcy. You might even experiment with different styles and colors. If a wig is not for you, you might take the opportunity to try out scarfs and hats, or simply work out how to own and take control of your new appearance.

Change Your Diet

Although you might usually love the food you eat, your tastes can change when you are going through cancer treatment, and you might struggle to eat what you normally do. If you are experiencing nausea, or mouth ulcers or are finding it hard to swallow, you should consider swapping out your diet for softer and liquid food items, such as soups, that are gentler on your mouth. You might eat in smaller portions, and you might consume foods that are higher in the vitamins and minerals that you need to stay strong throughout your treatment.

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