Radiotherapy is a treatment method that uses various kinds of radiation to irradiate tumors to inhibit or kill tumor cells. Therefore, if nasopharyngeal cancer patients can master the self-care methods during radiotherapy, it can not only ensure the smooth implementation of radiotherapy, but also reduce the economic burden, slow down the development of the disease and improve the quality of life.
I. Self-psychological guidance methods Usually a patient with nasopharyngeal cancer starts radiotherapy before he has time to adjust his mind after diagnosis. With the emergence of side effects of radiotherapy, patients may become depressed, pessimistic and lose confidence in treatment. During this period, the patient’s mood may be unstable, and he may ask himself, “I have not done anything wrong, why did I get this unlucky disease? It is normal to have these mental activities. When you can find someone to talk to, cry aloud lubrication to put the unpleasant things in the belly, but learn to self-psychological guidance, self-regulation of psychological state, learn some health care knowledge, learn to arrange the life after the disease, understand the effect of radiotherapy, readjust the relationship with family, friends, colleagues, leaders, maintain an open and cheerful state of mind, divert the attention to not wave reaction, cultivate a wide range of interests and hobbies, such as reading books, painting, knitting, listening to music, etc., participate in social activities, actively seek to enjoy a happy and happy life, so as to improve the quality of life.
Second, the oral self-care methods of radiation therapy, because the parotid and salivary glands are within the scope of irradiation, so the rib gland and salivary gland function is inhibited after radiotherapy. The gland secretion in the mouth is reduced, and the self-cleaning effect of the mouth disappears, so there are often symptoms such as dry mouth, dry and painful throat, and mouth ulcers. To reduce these symptoms, you can always have a water bottle, often wet the mouth, drink more than 250ml of water per day, and often drink water with honeysuckle and maitake to moisten the oral mucosa. In addition, in order to keep the mouth clean, you can prepare your own light salt water gargle, 4-5 times a day. Light salt is prepared by adding 3-4g of sodium chloride (cooked salt) in 500ml of warm boiled water (about a small half spoon) can be used, or gargle with Doppelganger’s solution, gargling solution should be at least 1 minute per gargle. At the same time, gargle for 1-2 minutes with alternate cheek puffing and sucking motions to remove loose tartar. Ulcer local self spray watermelon cream spray or double material throat wind dispersion spray, and do open mouth teeth movement, so that the oral mucosa wrinkle wall at the full gas exchange, destroy the growth environment of anaerobic bacteria, to prevent oral secondary infection. Oral ulcer pain affects eating, 30 minutes before meals with 0.1% of cocaine compound vitamin B solution, that is, compound vitamin B solution 100ml + 2% of cocaine 5ml, oral 2-3 minutes, can reduce pain, increase appetite.
Third, the nasopharyngeal mucosa self-care methods As the nasopharyngeal mucosa is congested and swollen after irradiation, there is a nasal mucosal reaction similar to the oral mucosa, patients often have dry nasal mucosa, nasal congestion, increased nasal secretions, sticky, serious cases can affect rest and sleep. Therefore, when the climate is dry, put a basin of water in the room to keep the room at a certain temperature and use clear cod liver oil or compound peppermint oil or compound Chinese herbal medicine to drip the nose by itself 3-4 times a day to protect the nasal mucosa. It is best to learn to properly master the rinsing method of the simple nasopharyngeal irrigator and the commonly used liquid. The specific operation is: fill the nasopharyngeal rinse with 100ml of rinse solution, hold the nasopharyngeal rinse in your right hand, slowly inject the rinse solution from both sides of the nasal cavity alternately, and then spit it out from your mouth. After rinsing, do not blow the nose forcefully to prevent the increase of pressure in the nasopharyngeal cavity and secondary infection in other parts. As soon as radiotherapy starts, nasal rinsing should be performed 3 times a day, once in the morning before radiotherapy and once before bedtime, first with warm water and then with light saline to remove the secretions on the surface of nasopharyngeal mucosa, reduce the reaction to radiotherapy and increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to radiation. In case of combined infection, 0.3% hydrogen peroxide should be used instead.
Self-care method of irradiated field skin Skin atrophy, thinning, soft tissue fibrosis and capillary dilation in the radiation area after radiotherapy can lead to radiological skin reactions, so during radiotherapy, keep local skin clean and dry, and dry sweat, as water ionization aggravates skin damage. The irradiated skin should not be scrubbed with soap or hot water with coarse towels. Avoid direct sunlight when going out. When there is peeling, do not use your hands to tear, scratch itchy, available 1% of ice chips talcum powder sprinkled on the affected area. Wet reaction with wound relief oil applied to the affected area. Wet reactions are applied to the affected area with wound relief oil. Expose the area 4 times a day and keep it clean to prevent infection. In addition, the radiation field markings should be kept clear and should not be altered privately, otherwise it will cause unnecessary damage.
V. Self-care method of nasopharyngeal bleeding The nasopharynx is rich in blood vessels, some nasopharyngeal tumors grow to a certain point and cause ulcers, as well as local mucosal tissue damage caused by radiation, which can bleed easily when touched. Therefore, do not pinch the nose, dig the nose and blow the nose with force.
Sixth, the reasonable regulation of dietary structure during radiotherapy Ancient people say: people are dependent on food. In fact, it means that the maintenance of human life depends on diet. After cancer, the growing cancer cells consume a lot of nutrients, and the damage to salivary glands of oral mucosa caused by radiation during treatment and nausea, vomiting and abnormal taste caused by radiotherapy can affect appetite, which can lead to disorder of nutrient metabolism in serious cases. A reasonable diet can increase the body’s tolerance and immunity to radiotherapy, slow down or inhibit the development of tumor, and facilitate the successful completion of radiotherapy. Therefore, we should eat more proteins with high nutritional value, complete amino acids and good proportion, such as eggs, dairy, fish and animal lean meat, fresh vegetables, fruits, soybeans and their products, peanuts, mushrooms, tomatoes, oranges, etc. Quit smoking, alcohol and spicy food, do not eat smoked, fried, baked, waxy and pickled dishes, consciously change the bad lifestyle and bad habits, overcome all kinds of uncomfortable reactions, insist on eating, and ensure the completion of radiotherapy as planned.
VII. Active functional exercise After radiotherapy, it can cause dysfunction of the jaw and temporal joints of the head and neck, and sometimes there are difficulties in opening the mouth and restricted neck activities. In order to prevent these complications, you should do some appropriate activities during radiotherapy, such as deep breathing, outdoor walking, slow rotation of the left and right hands in front and behind the neck, mouth opening exercises such as holding small round plastic bottles or smooth small logs, and massage the jaw and temporal joints, so as to improve the quality of survival.