Table of contents:
- How to deal with cancer pain?
- Measure your pain
- Take your cancer pain medication as directed
- Talk about your complaints
- Don't delay dealing with pain
- Try acupuncture
- Consider surgery
- Apply hot and cold therapy
Cancer pain can be so painful that it gets out of control in some cases. Living with pain prevents you from going about your daily routine, and it also affects your overall mental and physical health.
How to deal with cancer pain?
Here are 7 tips for dealing with chronic pain caused by cancer.
Measure your pain
Once pain occurs, you should track and evaluate it from level 0 to level 10. Zero means no pain and 10 means the worst pain. You need to know what is causing the pain, what makes it better or worse, how long the pain lasts, and determine the location where the pain occurs, then record the detailed symptoms. A specific description will help you treat your pain better.
Take your cancer pain medication as directed
Medicines must be used according to the doctor's direction, because the drugs that your doctor has prescribed for you can have certain effects, both pros and cons. That is why medicine must be used properly. Adjusting the dose yourself is not recommended because it will make it difficult for your doctor to monitor the appropriate medication for your cancer pain.
Talk about your complaints
The people you love can help you only if you show you what you are feeling, experiencing, and thinking. Don't ever think that sharing your pain with others means that you are a burden to them. Be open and positive. You always have people you love who are willing to help you. Talking openly about your condition with those around you is also a way to help everyone feel comfortable.
Don't delay dealing with pain
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Once you detect pain, you must see a doctor, and then use the medication regularly and as directed before the complaint worsens. As the pain worsens, you can lose control of your body and treatment becomes more difficult.
Apart from dealing with pain and getting the right medication, timing is very important. During a dose, if you notice that it is causing discomfort or any unexpected symptoms, discuss it with your doctor. You can also take pain medication about half an hour before engaging in sports that can cause pain.
Try acupuncture
Acupuncture treatment is quite effective for muscle and bone pain. Acupuncture also works well in helping to relieve cancer pain. Acupuncture helps in releasing toxic chemicals from the body. Consult with your doctor for more info.
Consider surgery
Surgery can help you control your pain. Surgery can be performed surgically to remove as much of the tumor as possible, which is called debulking. Debulking can relieve pain by relieving pressure. It can also reduce the metastatic ability of cancer cells.
Apply hot and cold therapy
Heat can help relieve sore muscles. Soaking in warm water is one simple tip. You can also use a warm compress, gel pack, or hot water bottle. Heat your body in these ways for no more than 10 minutes at a time. Stop using lukewarm water if it causes discomfort.
Meanwhile, cold therapy relieves pain by dulling the sensation of pain. Use a cold gel pack that stays soft even when frozen, or a bag of ice cubes wrapped in a towel. Apply for no more than 10 minutes at a time. It is recommended that you pay attention to how your body reacts to cold compresses. Stop cold therapy if this causes uncomfortable sensations.
Sometimes cancer pain is a side effect of treatment, and sometimes it is caused by the cancer itself. Overcoming pain is very important for you to facilitate the cancer treatment process itself. You have to make sure that your doctor understands what you are going through and that you only adopt pain management measures after the doctor's approval.
