If you have cancer and experience feelings of hopelessness or despair, you are not alone.
Cancer brings fear to everyone it affects, and these fears can become overwhelming.
for some people with cancer, overwhelming feelings become common and can develop into depression.
The National Cancer Institute says 25 percent of cancer patients report feeling depressed to their doctor. The amount of cancer patients facing depression is probably much higher because few people feel comfortable depression to their doctor statement.
According to the American Psychological Association, research suggests that 20 to 60 percent of cancer patients experience symptoms of depression. It is a common response, and it is treatable.
Fortunately, a number of drugs and therapies are available to help cancer patients cope with the effective depression.
antidepressants and counseling
The two most effective therapies for depression include antidepressant drugs and mental health counseling. Alone, these therapies can reduce depression. Many people find that a combination of the two is more effective than either one alone.
Different antidepressant medications are available for people with cancer and some of them can help with cancer side effects such as pain. Antidepressants affect everyone differently, and some people may have to try several before finding one that works well for them.
mental health counseling is increasingly available in the centers and cancer treatment hospitals across the country. consulting services, including support groups are often offered free of charge to cancer patients and their families.
Complementary and Integrative Therapies
Some complementary therapies are effective in reducing depression, especially when integrated with counseling, antidepressants or both.
Yoga
Studies show yoga can enhance feelings of depression and anxiety by modulating the stress response. The research suggests the benefits of yoga regulation of mood are similar to those obtained through exercise and relaxation techniques.
A German 05 study evaluated the emotional effects of yoga on women who described themselves as "emotionally distressed." The participants took two 0-minute yoga classes a week for three months. Reported feelings improved 50 percent depression, anxiety 30 percent and the welfare of 65 percent. the quality of sleep, back pain and headaches also improved.
during gentle yoga and restoration are most suitable for those with mesothelioma and other cancers.
meditation
a 2014 Johns Hopkins University study examined 47 clinical trials on meditation and has found that it can improve depression, anxiety and pain. the majority of trials involved in mindfulness stress reduction (MBSR) meditation.
MBSR meditation is a practice of observation thoughts that occur in the mind without judgment. The point is not to eliminate or limit the thoughts, but rather to witness and recognize the thoughts without judgment or becoming emotionally attached. With practice, it becomes easier to watch without reacting thoughts as they go through the mind.
A collection of guided meditations mindfulness by Ronald Siegel, professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School, are available for free download.
Herbs
WortThe herb St. John is widely used for depression, but its use is controversial, and it can interfere with certain cancer treatments. Some studies suggest that it is effective for mild to moderate depression, while others found no benefit.
The combination of St. John's Wort with prescription antidepressants can cause serotonin syndrome, a potentially fatal increase in serotonin levels that causes tremors, confusion, and muscle stiffness. It rarely leads to death.
St. John's Wort may weaken some prescription drugs such as blood thinners such as warfarin, cardiac medicine as digoxin, drugs against cancer, antidepressants and birth control pills.
Cancer patients should discuss any herbal supplements they are interested in taking their oncologist.
Questions and Answers 2015 online support group in September
patients and caregivers have asked a number of questions during the latest online support group. Here, we include answers to some of them
Q:.? Is blood coagulates a side effect of chemotherapy
A: Yes, chemotherapy can cause blood clots in some people. Other factors can increase the risk of blood clots, such as prolonged bed rest cigarettes, obesity and smoking. Symptoms of a blood clot include pain, swelling and redness. These symptoms must not be ignored, because blood clots can lead to a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism, wherein a part of a blood clot breaks off and travels to the lung.
Treatment and prevention of blood clots mainly involves medication, but sometimes surgery is used to clear a clot to prevent embolism.
