Many adults and kids fear visits to the hospital, whether it is because of the overbearing white of the walls, the smells inside, or because the associations they have with treatment make them dread ever returning. On the other hand, cancer patients who have received their diagnosis, processed it, and gathered the will to fight the illness have no qualms over visiting hospitals, and doing it on a regular basis. Courage is a great asset to begin chemotherapy with, and we would like to share some tips for making the treatment period as comfortable and disciplined as possible.
1. Mind the hair
There is a common misconception that everyone who receives chemotherapy loses their hair as a result of the treatment, but the reality is quite different. Though it is true that most patients undergoing chemotherapy lose much or all of their hair, it is well documented that the hair loss can be prevented in some cases or at least minimized.
source:breastcancercare.org.uk
The technology at the forefront of this phenomenon is known as a cold-cap treatment. With the help of the product you can see on the Penguin Cold Cap website, patients greatly improve the chances of keeping their hair through therapy. It takes little preparation and can have a great effect.
2. Maintain a disciplined regimen
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While chemotherapy makes the body better equipped to fight cancer, it weakens the immune system in the process. This is why it is so important to boost and maintain a health regimen when you are not in a bed receiving treatment. When it comes to your diet, you should all but eliminate sweets, fried and oily food, as you may have difficulty processing the food in your state.
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Additionally, you will want to add plenty of fruits, vegetables, and raw juices to your diet to get the vitamins and nutrients your body needs to recover. Fatigue is one of the most common aftereffects of treatment, so you should get plenty of rest when you feel your body craving it. Still, try to keep your sleeping patterns consistent and just sleep longer if you feel the urge to doze off many times throughout the day.
3. Managing Chemotherapy effects
Just like sleep is a perfect cure for fatigue, many other negative effects can be prevented or alleviated with some simple solutions. For example, some cancer patients have found that acupuncture helps them better deal with nausea and vomiting, while sunscreen and long clothes allow them to better deal with the sensitivity to sunlight that often comes after treatment.
source:foodrevolution.org
Many patients experience disorientation and difficulty with complex thought at one time or another during treatment, and the solutions to this issue is accessible to everyone. Keeping track of your daily events with a planner, completing puzzles, and even exercising can go a long way toward clearing the cobwebs of treatment in your head. Unfortunately, chemotherapy is also known to sometimes damage the skin, so you may consider reversing these effects with rejuvenating and natural creams, coconut oil, Manuka honey, marigold, Shea butter, and aloe vera.
