Advice for Making Cancer Treatments More Tolerable

DECATUR, Texas - Nov. 7, 2014 - PRLog -- Decatur, Texas, USA - The Cancer Center at Wise Regional are providing tips which will help patients in fight against cancer.

There’s nothing easy about undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Even so, this process is often an absolute must if a positive outcome is desired. Fortunately, there are some measures that patients can take to make the process more tolerable. While doctors can help with medications to treat symptoms, there are many things patients can do themselves, as well.

“Quite often, it’s the little tips and tricks that patients can employ themselves that make the biggest difference in easing the burdens of chemotherapy treatments,” explained one of North Texas Cancer Center’s oncologists. “The key is finding what works for you the best. For some patients, it might be medications for symptoms. Others, however, might find alternative treatments more beneficial. Be sure to work closely with your treatment team to uncover all the possibilities for easing your symptoms and making treatments more tolerable to endure.”

Here are just a few of the measures chemo patients can take to combat the negative effects of this often life-saving treatment:

•      Eat right – A balanced, healthy diet is critical for maintaining health and strength during treatments. It’s best to consider smaller, more frequent meals when undergoing chemo to combat the potential for nausea or vomiting. Avoid foods that are overly hot or spicy. It’s also a good idea to steer clear of alcohol. Stick with foods that taste good personally to help combat the issues chemo can raise with taste buds.

•      Get plenty of rest – Chemo can be quite fatiguing. One of the best ways to combat this is by getting as much rest as possible, while working to maintain energy levels. This can be accomplished by working mild exercise into the routine and considering alternative treatments that are designed to relax. Therapies such as massage, meditation, and Tai Chi can be quite helpful.

•      Maintain a positive attitude – This can be tricky, but it’s important. To help on this front, be sure to get educated about your particular form of cancer and the treatments you are facing. In addition, take time out to pamper yourself. Therapies, such as chemo cold caps, can also help maintain your appearance, which may improve your outlook. Check with your doctor about this potential treatment.

Chemo is tough to endure, but it’s a temporary process. Arm yourself with ways to combat its negative effects and the process should pass quicker than you think.

About the Center

North Texas Cancer Center at Wise County is a Choice Cancer Care facility. Doctors and staff here believe in treating patients like people first. Offering cutting-edge cancer care, the facility is renowned not only for its expertise, but also the compassion its staff extends to patients and families. They believe the course of cancer therapy should be customized to work for you, a cancer treatment that best matches your diagnosis, as well as following your personal preferences and needs. For more information visit northtexascancercenteratwise.com (http://www.northtexascancercenteratwise.com/)