Lung Cancer - Symptom Management
Those suffering from lung cancer, or undergoing cancer treatment, may suffer from a range of symptoms that can make it even more difficult to get through the day. Managing these symptoms is a crucial activity.
Anorexia
Constipation
Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
Fatigue
Neuropathy
Anorexia
Are you losing weight? Are you having difficulty eating? Do foods taste different to you? If so, here are some hints that may help:
Eat foods that are cold or at room temperature, especially if you are sensitive to odors.
Try to eat foods you have never eaten before.
Do not be concerned with calories and fat content of food.
Eat whatever tastes good to you and eat as much as you like of it.
Eat a big breakfast, especially if you are more likely to be hungry in the morning.
Let other people prepare your meals. This will conserve your energy as well as keep you away from cooking odors.
Snack throughout the day. Don't worry too much about eating three meals. If you prefer, eat smaller amounts more often.
Eat calorie packed foods. For example, don't just have a glass of milk; have a milk shake made with super premium-high fat ice cream. Add protein powder to Jell-O and milkshakes.
Avoid beverages during meals because they contribute to feelings of fullness. However, do drink between your meals to keep yourself hydrated.
Some times the alcohol can relax you and can increase your appetite, so try having a glass of wine or beer shortly before your meal.
Try some light exercise, such as short walk, about an hour before you eat. This may help you to feel hungry.
Use food supplement products such as Ensure, Sustacal, and Isocal, because they can help you get the nutrition you need when you really can't eat. Try making milkshakes with these product and ice cream.
Talk with your doctor about your weight or appetite loss.
Constipation
For those dealing with cancer, constipation is a common, and often severe, problem. Here are some hints that may help:
Try and drink at least eight-ten glasses of water daily.
Consume high fiber type foods which include healthy options such as whole grain cereals, fruits (particularly prunes, figs, dates, etc.) and lots of vegetables and nuts.
Avoid certain foods such as cheese and other dairy type products.
Avoid eating fried foods, they will make you feel sick
Try and take as much exercise if you can, even if it is only walking around your house or garden.
Maintain as normal an environment as possible to maintain privacy, schedule of toileting.
Remember to drink something warm half an hour or so before you usually have your bowels opened.
Discuss your constipation with your doctor, he can probably help.
Dyspnea (Shortness of Breath)
Shortness of breath is common for people with lung cancer. A range of activities may help you combat dyspnea including:
Controlled Breathing.
Abdominal Breathing.
Relaxation.
Changing the Position of your body.
Supplemental Oxygen and Medications - discuss these with your doctor.
Talk with your doctor about your dyspnea.
Fatigue
Are you exhausted and tired? Chronic fatigue is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms and/or side effects of cancer and its treatment. Here are some hints that may help:
Reassess your daily goals to make them realistic and reachable. i.e. Pace yourself
It helps to keep some kind of activities journal. You can note your energy and fatigue levels at specific times of the day and with different types of activities. Finding patterns that help to exhaust you may help you to plan your day to minimize those activities that fatigue you the most
Get plenty of rest, but don't make the mistake of overdoing it - short periods of rest are best, otherwise you may find you're exhausted all the time.
Don't be too proud to ask your family, friends, and neighbours for help with tasks when you need it.
Try and eat plenty of small but nourishing meals (Little and often is sometimes the best), and don't forget to drink plenty of fluids.
Discuss your fatigue with your doctor.
Neuropathy
Since being diagnosed with lung cancer, you may develop symptoms such as tingling or numbness in your fingers or toes, hearing loss, forgetfulness, dizziness, or constipation. These symptoms can be caused by a condition called neuropathy. Neuropathy means that something is wrong with nerve tissue. Most people with cancer develop this condition. If you have any of these symptoms, discuss them with your doctor.
Lung Cancer - Overview
Lung Cancer is a type of cancer that forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining air passages. Many lung cancers begin in the bronchi though others can start in other parts of the lungs. Lung cancer also has a tendency to form in the glands below the bronchi.
Lung Cancer - Probabilities
Lung cancer causes up to 30% of all cancer related deaths, and it is the 2nd leading cause of death among both men and women in western society. 85% of all lung cancers are caused by a person's smoking habit or just by breathing in the second-hand smoke of others.
Lung Cancer - Screening
At this moment in time, there is no particularly useful single test that can be considered 100% reliable for the early detection of lung cancer. Unfortunately unless someone is undergoing a health screen for something completely unrelated, lung cancer is very often only discovered in the later stages of the disease when it is often too late to do anything but offer palliative treatment.
Lung Cancer - Symptoms
The most common indicators and symptoms of lung cancer include the following: Fatigue Shortness of breath and wheezing (dyspnoea) A cough that doesn't go away and gets worse over time Repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis Constant chest pain Coughing up blood (bloody sputum) (haemoptysis) Swelling of the neck and face Fever Loss of appetite and Weight loss (anorexia) Hoarse voice
Lung Cancer Treatment Options - Radiation
In many cases of lung cancer, surgery is not an option. This may be because of the advanced stage of the cancer, the location of the tumor or tumors, or because of the overall general health of the patient. In those cases, the oncologist may suggest radiation therapy to treat lung cancer. Even if surgery is an option, the doctor may suggest irradiation either before therapy to shrink the tumor or after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
Lung Cancer - Trends by Ethnicity, Sex and Race
In the USA and many other western countries, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. Lung cancer has been found to be the leading cancer killer among Caucasians, African-Americans, Asians and Hispanic males.