People often say, "The tumor itself is not so terrible. The most terrifying are the symptoms that seriously affect the quality of life"!
It can be seen from the appeals of the usual patient group: cancer pain, insomnia, cancer-induced fatigue and other symptoms, which make the patient miserable. Therefore, the purpose of tumor treatment is not only to prolong life, but also to improve the quality of life.
So how can these symptoms be relieved and the patient can be freed from it?
sleep disorders p
sleep disorders usually refer to abnormal sleep quality during sleep disorders. , Or the normal rhythmic alternation of sleep and wakefulness is disturbed. It can be manifested as reduced sleep or excessive sleep, among which insomnia is the most common.Tumor-related sleep disorders refer to sleep disorders that occur in cancer patients. Sleep problems can become chronic in some patients and persist for a long time after cancer treatment. Studies have shown that sleep disorders are common in cancer patients, and the reported incidence in the literature ranges from 18% to 95% [1].
The causes of sleep disorders in cancer patients are related to the growth of the tumor itself, accompanying symptoms, physical discomfort caused by anti-tumor therapy, psychological factors of the patient, and iatrogenic environment.
How to deal with it?
01, develop the "biological clock" of sleep
Some patients,You will get used to taking short naps during the day to replenish your previously "lost" sleep, or use a drink containing caffeine to eliminate the drowsiness caused by lack of sleep, and this habit may lead to a vicious circle.
Patients should set a "biological clock" for sleep to fix the time for sleep and wake up. If it is stipulated to go to bed at 10 o'clock every night, then turn off the mobile phone before 10 o'clock, turn off the lights, and enter the sleep state. Even if you don't get enough sleep at night, don't "make up sleep" during the day the next day, and wait until 10 o'clock the next night to fall asleep.
02, relaxation training
- Choose a comfortable position and play soft music at the same time, adjust your breathing, and relax your body muscles.
- One hand on the abdomen, the other hand on the chest, exhale first, feel that there is enough space in the lungs to take a deep breath later, and then inhale through the nose, hold for 3 seconds, mentally count 1- 2-3, pause for 1 second, then slowly exhale the air, you can count 1-2-3-4-5 in your mind, let the air enter the abdomen when you inhale, feel the hand on the abdomen push up, and the chest With only a slight bulge, the exhalation time is longer than the inhalation time. At the same time, you can imagine in your mind that all the unhappiness, worry, and pressure will be slowly exhaled with each exhalation [3].
- muscle relaxation method: teach patients to consciously feel the tension and relaxation of the main muscle groups. The nurse instructs the patient to relax each part of the muscles from the hands to the trunk: concentrate on taking a deep breath three times→muscle tension→maintaining tension→releasing tension→muscle relaxation.
03, take sleep aids
If the cause of sleep disorder is clear,Such as pain, nausea and vomiting and psychological disorders, etc., can be given targeted analgesia, antiemetic and anti-anxiety and depression medications. After these symptoms are relieved, the sleep disturbance has not been resolved, and the most direct way is to use sedative hypnotics.
Note
Sedatives and hypnotics need to be applied under the guidance of a doctor and should not be added without authorization.
cancer pain
cancer pain is a worldwide problem that affects the lives of countless cancer patients every day!
According to WHO statistics, there are 7 million new cancer patients worldwide each year, of which 30%-50% suffer from varying degrees of pain. Among patients receiving cancer treatment, 50% have pain, 60%-90% of advanced cancer patients have varying degrees of pain, and 70% have pain as the main symptom [2].
how to deal with it?
Many patients lack understanding of cancer pain, and feel that taking painkillers to control pain will lead to drug addiction, so "tolerate, tolerate, and tolerate again". In fact, this approach is not scientific! Standardized and reasonable anti-cancer pain treatment can relieve 80% of people's pain.
Three-step therapy is widely used to control cancer pain, and the effect is significant. The choice of pain medicine should be based on the degree of pain from mild to severe, and different intensities of painkillers should be selected in order, that is, the first step Go to the third step.
- has just had cancer pain: choose non-opioid painkillers,Such as aspirin , diclofenac, paracetamol and so on.
- When the pain symptoms worsen and the above drugs cannot be controlled: Use weak opioid analgesics, such as codeine, tramadol , etc.
- The pain is severe, and weak opioid analgesics are ineffective: choose opioid analgesics, such as morphine and Mephicon.
Note: Analgesics should be given regularly and on time, not just when needed. Otherwise, the concentration of the drug will fluctuate and the pain will not be effectively controlled.
cancer-induced fatigue
US NCCN defines cancer-related fatigue as: frustrating, persistent, or subjective related to cancer or cancer treatment. Not commensurate with recent activities, and will interfere with normal life. The incidence of cancer-related fatigue in cancer patients is as high as 59% to 100% [4].
Cancer-related fatigue cannot be relieved by rest or sleep, which has a serious adverse effect on the patient's normal life and mental state!
how to deal with it?
01, proper exercise
The research has confirmed that,Cancer-related fatigue will not be relieved by taking more rest, but moderate exercise can increase the body's metabolism, increase organ blood flow, improve immunity, increase muscle strength and physical strength, and help relieve fatigue.
Studies have reported that aerobic exercise can stimulate the pituitary gland to secrete endorphins , which in turn stimulates the nervous system to produce micro-electric stimulation, which helps relieve , depression, muscle tension, and muscle tension. Promote the relaxation of the cerebral cortex and relieve fatigue.
At the same time, aerobic exercise can also accelerate fluid circulation and metabolism, and provide material protection for the operation of other systems. Cancer patients can choose suitable sports according to their physical conditions, such as jogging, swimming, Tai Chi, yoga and so on.
02, maintain a good mood
After a tumor patient is diagnosed, clinical treatment, economic burden and other factors will inevitably lead to negative emotions such as depression and anxiety. Anxiety and depression can lead to aggravation of insomnia, thus creating a vicious circle, which leads to aggravated fatigue. Therefore, a good mood can help alleviate cancer-related fatigue.
Patients can do some things they like, such as singing, dancing, photography, etc., to get a good mood, divert attention, and help get rid of fatigue.
03, to ensure adequate sleep
tumor patients will reduce exercise,Spend more time resting in bed. Increased daytime sleep and lack of exercise can interfere with the sleep drive and circadian rhythm of homeostasis, resulting in reduced night sleep and aggravation of fatigue.
recommends that everyone get at least 8 hours of sleep a day, too much or too little rest can make people feel more tired. Patients with severe insomnia can take some sleep aids under the guidance of a doctor.
References
1. Sha Yongsheng, Kong Qingli, Luo Hongyuan. Research and nursing progress on sleep quality of cancer patients［J］. Journal of Nurses Training, 2014,29(7):603-605.
2, Zhang Tianze, Xu Guangwei. Oncology [M]. Tianjin: Tianjin Science and Technology Press, 1996: 2725-2730.
3. Chen Shuxia. Observation of the effect of relaxation training on sleep disorders in cancer patients after radiotherapy［J］. Pre-care standards research, 174-175.
4. WEIS J. Cancer-related fatigue: prevalence, assessment and treatment strategies[J]. Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research,2011,11(4):441- 446
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