Overcoming Dry Mouth Caused By Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is often the only method for treating the disease known as cancer. The introduction of radiation into the body, however, can have a brutal effect on it. One of the odd, yet difficult to deal with side effects, is extreme dry mouth.
Extreme dry mouth causes by radiation treatments for cancer is known as Xerostomia. It may sound like an inconsequential thing, but it is not. Xerostomia is actually a huge problem because of a simple fact. A person with dry mouth rarely eats. Why? They can’t get the food down. The lack of food then leads to a nutrient deficiency and the body suffers more because it can’t recover and often dehydrates.
Let’s try a quick test so you can understand the problem. Go to your kitchen and find one piece of bread. Yes, just one. Don’t put anything on it. Now try to eat it. Don’t wad it up or any such thing. Just try chewing and don’t drink anything! Can you get it down? Probably, but just barely!
Saliva is a huge part of the eating process. Without it, people don’t eat. Even chewing gum or drinking fluids provides only momentary relief. Doctors have long tried to find a solution to this problem. They’ve now found one in an odd place – Eastern Medicine.
Researchers at the University of Texas Anderson Cancer Center conducted a number of studies dealing with the problem of Xerostomia. They found one technique that seems to work – acupuncture. A cancer patient suffering from Xerostomia that received acupuncture treatments twice a week was found to have marked physical improvement as well as quality of life. Dry mouth was improved and the patients reported increased quality of life.
The study consisted of a relatively small group of 19 patients. Still, the results were encouraging. The researchers are now undertaking studies on larger numbers of patients. They are also looking to see if acupuncture can not only help with Xerostomia after chemotherapy, but help prevent it by undergoing treatments before the chemo is done.
Chemotherapy is effective at killing off cancer, but it comes with a high price tag. Acupuncture appears to be one way to lower that price tag, at least as it relates the extreme dry mouth that can occur with radiation treatments.
Questions and Answers
Article Tags:
chemotherapy
,cancer
,radiation
,xerothomia
,dry mouth
,saliva
,acupuncture
,treatment
,study
,cure
Cancer translational research brings together scientists' and clinicians' suggestions to develop solutions to biomedical complications. This kind of applied research strives to offer strategies to questions surrounding the etiology, pathology, diagnosis, prevention and treating cancer.
Orbs are actually a lumpectomy or quadrantectomy combined with rotating the breast tissue or mobilize the flap into the cavity of the surgery time fill is removed. It also includes the comparative change in shape and size is doing in relation to breast and moved if necessary, does not affect the conversion of the breast. The deferred plan the reconstruction is not part of endoplasmic techniques. Both procedures are performed by specific thoracic surgeons.
What every woman fears for is losing her self confidence , losing hope and losing her personality. The term "Breast Cancer" is a very negative word and that it creates negative vibrations in her heart. So, to make her comfortable with the basics of breast cancer and to make her means any woman understand that this type of cancer is the least dangerous than all cancers and that if it is detected early then you will fight with it successfully. Causes, Symptoms, treatment, discussed in detail.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that originates in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is the protective lining that covers the body's internal organs. Mesothelioma occurs when the mesothelium cells start to divide uncontrollably.
Chemotherapy is a treatment for killing cancerous cells which is given intravenous or extra-venous to the cancer patient. Even breast cancer patients have to go through the treatment. This treatment mainly focuses on the cancerous cells that are spread in the blood stream in the whole body . If any cancerous cells are there then they are killed by the chemotherapy medicine. The medicine is very costly and it has to be taken for one or two days continuously for every 21 days .
As with anything, there are upsides and downsides to life settlements. In this article, we take a look at the upsides of life settlements and what they mean to someone considering selling.
Asbestos causes a host of health problems. One that doesn't get as much hype is asbestosis. In this article, we take a look at asbestosis and smoking.
A lot of people, especially the younger crowd are into the habit of listening to music. They derive inspiration and encouragement from music and also use it as a source of entertainment. Whatever may be the case, you will have a good case for a great Christmas gift if you bought them a music related gift.
Getting your brand in front of consumers in a crowded marketplace can be a real challenge. This is particular true these days when we've become so remote with communication issues. This is why the personal touch can be so effective.
It can always be a tricky situation in your office if somebody hands you a Christmas gift and you have nothing to give back. Thus, it is a good idea to set aside a small budget for your colleagues at work. Giving a gift to a colleague will also better the relations between them and you as they will appreciate the fact that you took the time and effort to think of them.
Discuss this Article
