The mesothelium is a thin layer of tissue outside the body’s organs. It provides protection, insulation, and support to organs, including the lungs, heart, and organs in the abdomen. When this membrane sustains damage due to asbestos exposure over time, cancer in the form of mesothelioma begins to develop.
This condition is rare, and patients often have a short life expectancy post-diagnosis. However, like other terminal conditions, patients can manage mesothelioma with the correct information and help. Listed below are a few ways to help improve the quality of life for mesothelioma patients.
Eat healthy
Food is an essential component of living a healthy lifestyle. A study published in The Journal of Clinical Oncology found that malnourished cancer patients had worse quality of life. It impacted their energy levels and tendency toward getting sick or recovering more easily once infected with an illness.
Maintaining good eating habits starts with ensuring you’re fueling your body right. Foods like vegetables and fruits are full of essential nutrients. In contrast, processed foods lack nutritional value and may contain carcinogens that worsen patients’ health. So eat healthy and natural.
Breathe clean air
Inhaling asbestos microfibrils leads to pleural mesothelioma, which can decrease patients’ lung function. It can also make patients prone to other lung infections. Hence, ensure the air supply is clean, rich in oxygen, and free of pollutants. While this may not cure the disease, breathing will be more comfortable.
Stay active
Exercise is a scientifically proven way to improve physical health and quality of life for people with terminal illnesses. It can help elevate patients’ mood, increase energy levels, and strengthen muscles while having no side effects. Walking for 15 minutes every day will provide significant benefits, such as increased blood flow, better immunity, and reduced depression.
Reduce stress
In many ways, fighting cancer is one of the most stressful experiences in life. However, this stress has lasting effects on the mind and body, making a difficult situation worse. Research suggests that reducing stress can improve quality of life by reducing pain and boosting immunity against infections. It can help patients experiencing undergoing treatment such as chemotherapy or those recovering from surgery.
There are also other ways to reduce stress for those fighting this disease. These include using relaxation techniques or meditation. These methods allow patients to be less stressed-out, improving their treatment outcomes.
Pain management
Pain management is an essential part of the treatment for many types of cancer. Yet, more than half (58%) of patients have inadequate pain relief. This number can be much lower with proper care from a healer who understands patients’ conditions well enough to help them recover as fast as possible.
Pain is a sign that something may need attention. It’s essential to take care of patients while fighting the illness because pain can make people more susceptible to treatment side effects during the cancer recovery period.
The importance of minimizing one’s suffering cannot be understated. When we suffer emotionally, physicians must find ways to provide mental comfort through words that offer support.
Community support helps
Many mesothelioma patients appreciate the opportunity to talk with other patients who share their experiences. Support groups help patients connect with others going through similar situations. This allows them to share their thoughts and unburden.
Moreover, community organizations also provide emotional and financial support to patients and families struggling with managing the condition. Financial and emotional aid provide patients with better treatment and counseling options for disease management.
Education and hope
Every day, the world gets closer to defeating mesothelioma once and for all. Education is vital in helping people understand their disease better. This way, they can control it themselves through knowledge about treatments available or impending trials being conducted by researchers around the globe that may provide a cure someday soon.
Many people are afraid of the unknown and would rather not know anything about their condition. This can make managing it difficult for those who do know. However, they often try to hide what is happening because others may react differently. Some might pity them or offer a solution that does nothing but causes more problems than help.
Conclusion
Caring for mesothelioma patients can be a challenging experience. Caregivers have an essential role in reducing pain. They are committed to improving quality of life by helping people live more comfortably through innovative products that reduce pain and other symptoms such as social isolation.
Mesothelioma patients often experience a sharp drop in quality of life as they fight to recover from their diagnosis. With these tips, you can help them maintain an active and healthy lifestyle that will improve the overall well-being of everyone involved!
