Holism
Holistic Methods for Managing Side Effects of Cancer Treatment
A guest article by Brad Krause selfcaring.info, 2024
Western medicine typically employs drugs, radiation, or surgery for maladies. The drugs tend to be isolates of specific molecules that work as medicines and can be mass produced for wide consumption, with Western medicine relying heavily on pharmaceuticals. But these medicines often have side effects, and managing the effects of cancer treatment can require as many resources as the treatment itself. Our relationship to cancer has improved in recent years, but the bad rap still has a foundation. Chemo and radiation will probably make you sick. Complementing the resources provided on this website, here are helpful tips for managing these negative side effects.
Prepare the home
There will be days at a time when you won’t be in the mood to cook or clean or do any of the things that make your house a home. Enlist help, if you feel comfortable accepting friends at family into your home when you're not at your best. Declutter to reduce mess and reduce stress. Purchase healthy snacks to keep around when you don’t have much of an appetite and don’t feel like cooking.
Reduce daily stress
Stress can touch anyone in cancer treatment, and studies indicate it can adversely affect healing. If you’re struggling with stress, take the time you need to reduce it. Engage in activities like yoga and meditation, and snag some downtime on a regular basis. Define it according to what you enjoy and feel up to, whether that means watching movies with the family or journaling about your cancer journey.
Acupuncture, acupressure, and massage
Studies have shown that acupuncture can help ease many of the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Reductions in pain, nausea, insomnia, fatigue, and hot flashes have been documented. Acupressure, which uses the same landmarks, but no needles, is often effective in reducing nausea and vomiting. Therapeutic massage helps many chemotherapy patients manage anxiety, nausea, pain, and insomnia.
Vitamin and herbal supplements
While many herbal and vitamin products have been documented to alleviate nausea, fatigue, or insomnia, they may have additional effects, which interfere with cancer treatment, so getting your doctor’s OK before you take them is critical.[1]
Cannabis products
We’ve come a long way since Marinol, the FDA-approved synthetic THC medication for treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Since its implementation, all but a handful of states have passed some form of medical marijuana bill. In addition, CBD made from the same cannabis plant, is federally legal and has health benefits without being intoxicating. If you live in a state with legal cannabis options, talk with your doctor or visit a local dispensary.
Cannabis products, whether intoxicating or not, can help with issues like pain, nausea, inflammation, poor appetite, sleeplessness, and vomiting. There are also side effects to watch for, such as lung irritation, dry mouth, dizziness, anxiety, sleepiness, and increased heart rate.
If you decide to try medical marijuana, there are several products to consider which don’t require that you inhale them. For instance, chewing gum, bath salts, edibles, suppositories, and balms are options you might wish to discuss with your doctor.
THCA
Innovative solutions like THCA are emerging as supportive aids. THCA, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in raw cannabis plants, has been recognized for its potential to alleviate symptoms associated with cancer treatments, such as nausea, pain, and inflammation. THCA Diamonds are a premium option for those exploring this avenue. Crafted with care, these diamonds offer a pure and potent form of THCA, designed to harness the therapeutic benefits of the cannabis plant without the high associated with THC. By incorporating THCA Diamonds into your wellness regimen, you may find a natural and effective way to mitigate the discomforts of cancer therapy, making your treatment journey a bit more manageable.
Over-the-counter oil
CBD oil is an option many cancer patients consider, and it’s typically available over-the-counter. Baltimore Post Examiner explains that CBD oil is believed to reduce pain, boost appetite, lower inflammation, and control nausea. Unlike products containing THC, it won’t get you high, although it could help you feel more relaxed.
Delta-8 is another cannabinoid found in cannabis. It’s manufactured from federally legal hemp, and since it’s not the natural "regular" delta-9 THC, it rests in a legal gray area. Unless it has been specifically outlawed in your state, it should be available locally or online. Although less research has been done on delta-8, preliminary indications suggest that it may be helpful with pain, anxiety, insomnia, and nausea. While reactions may vary, it’s considered half as potent as natural delta-9 THC, so it’s often described as a "starter" to see whether or not you like THC, and if it has positive benefits for you.
CBD and delta-8 might interact with your medications, and could lower your blood pressure or cause nausea. CBD and delta-8, though federally legal, may cause you to fail a drug test, so proceed with caution before deciding to give it a try.
Should you decide CBD or delta-8 might work for you, there are several forms available. You can try lotions, edibles, vaping, or cigarette-style smoking. Do some research when shopping for products. Learn how to read labels so you know if you’re buying a product derived from hemp or marijuana, how much CBD or delta-8 it contains, how much (if any) THC it contains, and whether the product contains any contaminants. This kind of information will be listed in a certificate of analysis.
Stay safe
Will holistic methods be part of your treatment program? Cancer is a tough battle, and you want all possible tools at your disposal to help you feel your best and heal. Do some research to help decide what methods are right for you, and make sure that your doctor agrees.
Image courtesy of Pexels
Footnotes by Healing Cancer Naturally
1 Please be aware there are many successful treatment options outside the comventional ones. In fact a great number of them have been shown to work on their own resp. in combination with other nontoxic approaches. If you do opt for chemo-radiation-surgery, know that certain supplements and diets have been known to make conventional treatments more effective (their success rate in most types of cancer is extremely low) and/or more tolerable. For details see this entire comprehensive website (1000+ pages) and particularly its vast Treatment section.
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