Non-Hodgkins Lymphomas (cont.)
Second opinion
Before starting treatment, you might want a second opinion about your
diagnosis and your treatment plan. Many insurance companies cover a second
opinion if you or your doctor requests it.
It may take some time and effort to gather your medical records and see
another doctor. In most cases, a brief delay in starting treatment will not make
treatment less effective. To make sure, you should discuss this delay with your
doctor. Sometimes people with non-Hodgkin lymphoma need treatment right away.
There are many ways to find a doctor for a second opinion. You can ask your
doctor, a local or state medical society, a nearby hospital, or a medical school
for names of specialists.
Supportive care
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and its treatment can lead to other health problems. You
may receive supportive care to prevent or control these problems and to improve
your comfort and quality of life during treatment.
You may receive antibiotics and other drugs to help protect you from
infections. Your health care team may advise you to stay away from crowds and
from people with colds and other contagious diseases. If an infection develops,
it can be serious, and you will need treatment right away.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and its treatment also can lead to anemia, which may
make you feel very tired. Drugs or blood transfusions can help with this
problem.
You can get information about supportive care on NCI's Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/coping and from NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER.
Nutrition and physical activity
It's important for you to take care of yourself by eating well and staying as
active as you can.
You need the right amount of calories to maintain a good weight. You also
need enough protein to keep up your strength. Eating well may help you feel
better and have more energy.
Sometimes, especially during or soon after treatment, you may not feel like
eating. You may be uncomfortable or tired. You may find that foods do not taste
as good as they used to. In addition, the side effects of treatment (such as
poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, or mouth sores) can make it hard to eat well.
Your doctor, a registered dietitian, or another health care provider can suggest
ways to deal with these problems.
Many people find they feel better when they stay active. Walking, yoga,
swimming, and other activities can keep you strong and increase your energy.
Exercise may reduce nausea and pain and make treatment easier to handle. It also
can help relieve stress. Whatever physical activity you choose, be sure to talk
to your doctor before you start. Also, if your activity causes you pain or other
problems, be sure to let your doctor or nurse know about it.
Next: What follow-up care is necessary for patients with non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma? »
- dexamethasone oral, Decadron, DexPak - Information on dexamethasone oral (Decadron, DexPak), a drug used to reduce inflammation in many conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, acute gouty arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease
- CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) - CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography, CAT scan) is a procedure that assists in diagnosing tumors, fractures, bony structures, and infections in the organs and tissues of the body.
- Night Sweats - Night sweats have many different causes. A doctors must take a complete medical history and order tests to find the cause of the underlying medical condition that is responsible for night sweats.
Latest Medical News
Cancer RSS