Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Home Treatment

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Home Treatment

During treatment for any stage of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), you can use home treatment to help manage the side effects that may accompany NHL or its treatment. Home treatment may be all that is needed to manage the following common problems. If your doctor has given you instructions or medicines to treat these symptoms, be sure to follow them. In general, healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep and exercise may help control your symptoms.

• Home treatment for nausea or vomiting includes watching for and treating early signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth, sticky saliva, and reduced urine output with dark yellow urine. Your doctor also may prescribe medicines to control nausea and vomiting. For more information on how to deal with these side effects, see:

  Cancer: Controlling nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy.

• Home treatment for diarrhea includes resting your stomach and being alert for signs of dehydration. Check with your doctor before using any nonprescription medicines for your diarrhea.
• Home treatment for constipation includes gentle exercise along with adequate intake of fluids and a diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Check with your doctor before using a laxative for your constipation.
• Home treatment for fatigue includes making sure you get extra rest while you are receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Let your symptoms be your guide. You may be able to stick to your usual routine and just get some extra sleep. Fatigue is often worse at the end of treatment or just after treatment is completed.
• Home treatment for a sore mouth includes changing your diet, rinsing your mouth with liquid medicines, and putting a baking soda paste or nonprescription medicine on mouth sores.

Other issues that may arise include:

• Hair loss. This can be emotionally distressing. Not all chemotherapy medicines cause hair loss, and some people have only mild thinning that is noticeable only to them. Talk to your doctor about whether hair loss is an expected side effect with the medicines you will take.
• Sleep problems. If you find you have trouble sleeping, having a regular bedtime, getting some exercise during the day, avoiding naps, and using other tips to relieve sleep problems may help you sleep more easily.

Many people with lymphoma face emotional issues because of their disease or its treatment.

• The diagnosis of any type of cancer and the need for treatment can be very stressful. You may be able to reduce your stress by expressing your feelings to others. Learning relaxation techniques may also help you reduce your stress.
• Your feelings about your body may change following a diagnosis of cancer and the need for treatment. Adapting to your body image changes may involve talking openly about your concerns with your partner and discussing your feelings with your doctor. Your doctor may also be able to refer you to organizations that can offer additional support and information.
• To prevent weight loss and conserve your strength, it is important to eat well during treatment for cancer.

Not all forms of cancer or cancer treatment cause pain. If pain occurs, many treatments are available to relieve it. If your doctor has given you instructions or medicines to treat pain, be sure to follow them. You may use home treatment for pain to improve your physical and mental well-being. Be sure to discuss any home treatment you use for pain with your doctor.

Last updated:	April 22, 2008
Author:	Bets Davis, MFA
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC