Health News » Cancer http://topdrug.net Information on popular complementary and alternative medical topics Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:27:13 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER GUIDE: IMPACT OF CANCER ON SEXUAL ACTIVITY http://topdrug.net/2011/07/gynecological-cancer-guide-impact-of-cancer-on-sexual-activity http://topdrug.net/2011/07/gynecological-cancer-guide-impact-of-cancer-on-sexual-activity#comments Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:27:13 +0000 admin http://topdrug.net/?p=207 Although it is easy to blame ‘cancer’ for everything that is amiss in one’s life after treatment is finished, it must be recognized that sexual activity and intimacy may be disrupted, in most cases for a short time, after surgery or treatment.Some women are hesitant to resume normal patterns of intercourse due to a lack of awareness that it is ‘safe’ to do so. All women interviewed for this book experienced a dramatic compromise to intimate and sexual activity, usually for a short time only. Sexual activity was reduced for up to the first three years and frequent activity less of a priority for some. This was more so for older women in long-term partnerships. Most felt too tired or distracted with the process of getting well during and immediately after treatment to even consider intercourse. Despite the lack of physical activity, many felt a huge need for intimate activity and fell ‘guilty’ at the ‘inability to perform’. Generally, most women resolved these dilemmas once they began to feel physically well, and had accepted themselves again as worthwhile.The fact that many women do not resume normal sexual or intimate activity within a reasonable time frame is often based on a number of factors. Some couples remain ignorant, if there has been a lack of adequate discussion with the doctor regarding body changes or the impacts of treatment on sexual activity. They may be fearful of causing internal damage. Some women are frustrated by a perceived lack of consideration by the partner. If there is a (subconscious) perception that the partner was responsible for the cancer, the relationship may deteriorate into unfair blaming and resentment. Inadequate communication between couples will only worsen such a situation, and professional counseling is recommended. Sometimes, as in Gestational Trophoblast disease or Choriocarcinoma, it may be due to a fear of the risk of recurrence through pregnancy in the first twelve months.Did you know that all gynecological doctors are well trained in discussing sexuality and intimacy issues? They will understand that you may be embarrassed in discussing sexual issues. They will not be shocked, however, by your experiences and needs, and are able to discuss ways that you can resume a normal intimate life.*37/144/5*

]]> http://topdrug.net/2011/07/gynecological-cancer-guide-impact-of-cancer-on-sexual-activity/feed 0 COPING WITH SIDE-EFFECTS OF DIET THERAPY FOR CANCER: NAUSEA http://topdrug.net/2011/02/coping-with-side-effects-of-diet-therapy-for-cancer-nausea http://topdrug.net/2011/02/coping-with-side-effects-of-diet-therapy-for-cancer-nausea#comments Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:52:04 +0000 admin http://topdrug.net/?p=167 Nausea, with or without vomiting, is a common side-effect of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and biological therapy. The disease itself, or other conditions unrelated to your cancer or treatment, may also cause nausea.
Whatever the cause, nausea can keep the patient from getting enough food and needed nutrients. Some ideas that may be helpful are given here. The patient should:
1. Ask the doctor about medicine to help control nausea and vomiting. These drugs are called antiemetics.
2. Try these foods:
- Toast and crackers
- Curd
- Sherbet
- Sponge cake
- Oatmeal
- Skinned chicken (baked or boiled, not fried)
- Fruits and vegetables that are soft or bland, such as stewed apples, bananas
- Clear liquids, sipped slowly
- Ice chips.
3. Avoid these foods:
- Fatty, greasy or fried
- Very sweet, such as candy, cookies or cake
- Spicy or hot
- With strong odours.
4. Eat small amounts often and slowly.
5. Avoid eating in a room that is stuffy, too warm or has cooking odours that might disagree with the patient.
6. Drink fewer liquids with meals. Drinking liquids can cause a full, bloated feeling.
7. Drink or sip liquids throughout the day, except at mealtimes. Using a straw may help.
8. Drink beverages cool or chilled; try freezing.
9. Eat food cold or at room temperature; hot food may add to nausea.
10. Do not forcibly eat favourite foods when feeling nauseated. This may cause a permanent dislike of those foods.
11. Rest after meals, because activity may slow digestion. It is best to rest sitting up for about an hour after meals.
12. Try eating dry toast or crackers before getting up if nausea is a problem in the morning.
13. Wear loose-fitting clothes.
14. Avoid eating for 1 to 2 hours before treatment if nausea occurs during radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
15. Try to keep track of when nausea occurs and what causes it (specific foods, events, surroundings). If possible, make appropriate changes in diet or schedule. Share the information with doctor or nurse.
*10/356/5*

]]> http://topdrug.net/2011/02/coping-with-side-effects-of-diet-therapy-for-cancer-nausea/feed 0 PRIVATE CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH BREAST CANCER: ADMISSION TO HOSPITAL. http://topdrug.net/2009/04/private-care-for-patients-with-breast-cancer-admission-to-hospital http://topdrug.net/2009/04/private-care-for-patients-with-breast-cancer-admission-to-hospital#comments Thu, 23 Apr 2009 05:34:59 +0000 admin http://topdrug.net/2009/04/private-care-for-patients-with-breast-cancer-admission-to-hospital PREPARING FOR OPERATION

Admission to hospital

When you arrive at the hospital, the receptionist will contact the admissions department, and a ward receptionist will come to collect you. If you are paying for your stay in hospital yourself, you will probably be asked to pay your bill in advance at this stage if you have not already done so. Otherwise, you will be asked for your completed insurance form. The ward receptionist will take you to your room – probably a single or double room -and show you the facilities available there. You are likely to have a private bathroom, a television, and a telephone by your bed. The ward receptionist will explain hospital procedures to you, and will leave you to settle in.

The main difference you are likely to notice if you have been treated in an NHS hospital before, is that this time there is much less waiting for all the routine hospital procedures to be dealt with. The nurse to patient ratio is higher in private hospitals and so someone is usually available to deal with the pre-operative procedures quite quickly.

Your consultant will deal with your medical care throughout your stay, will visit you before the operation, perform the operation (with the assistance of the anesthetist and the operating staff), and visit you again when you are back in your own room. Trainees – whether doctors or nurses – do not work in private hospitals. The consultants are responsible for their own patients and supervise their care themselves. Most private hospitals now have resident medical officers – fully qualified, registered doctors who are available 24 hours a day to deal with any emergencies which may arise.

Preparing for your operation

When the time for your operation approaches, a porter and nurse will take you from your room to the anesthetic room. In many private hospitals, you will not be moved from your bed onto a trolley until you have been anaesthetized; the bed itself will be wheeled from your room. Similarly, you will be transferred back from the trolley to your own bed in the recovery room while you are still asleep. You therefore go to sleep and wake up in your own hospital bed.

When you are fully awake, you will be taken back to your room to rest.

*65/39/5*

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