When you find out that colon cancer has spread to your liver, you may not have any specific symptoms at first. But sometimes you may experience discomfort due to things like pain, itching, unbearable fatigue, and persistent hiccups. Although this condition cannot be cured completely, there are many treatments and methods that can help you manage these symptoms and provide relief. Let's talk about them.
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Ways to find relief from pain
Cancer can cause the liver to swell and press on the surrounding organs. This is a major cause of pain and discomfort. When you talk to your doctor about where the pain is, what it feels like, and how long it has been there, he or she can prescribe the right painkillers or steroids for you.
You can also try other methods to manage your pain. For example, acupuncture, hypnosis, and relaxation techniques may help. You may need more than one method. So work with your doctor to find the right combination for you.
What do you do for loss of appetite?
It's very common to lose all desire to eat and feel a loss of appetite during this time. But to maintain your body's energy, it's essential to eat anyway.
Try these simple tips:
- Eat small meals: Instead of eating 3 large meals at once, eat small meals or snacks every few hours.
- Choose quality: Choose foods that are high in protein and calories, such as beans, nuts, eggs, and ice cream. You can add more energy by adding a little butter, cream, honey, or sugar to your food.
- Eat your favorite foods: Eat more of your favorite foods. This can help you regain your appetite.
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When your liver becomes swollen and not working properly, fluid can build up inside your abdomen. We call this ascites. Not only can this make you feel full, it can also cause difficulty breathing and loss of appetite.
In this case, your doctor may use a needle to remove the fluid. As a long-term solution, you may also need to have a small tube placed under your skin to drain the fluid regularly. You may also need to take medications called diuretics, which help prevent fluid buildup in the first place.
How do I get rid of this annoying itchy body?
Sometimes, a cancer tumor in the liver can block a bile duct. This duct carries bile, a fluid that helps us digest the fats we eat. When this duct becomes blocked, bile starts to back up into the bloodstream. This is what causes jaundice. This can make your skin turn yellow and cause unbearable itching.
Depending on the location of the cancer, it may be possible to insert a small tube called a stent to keep the bile duct open. If that's not possible, your doctor may prescribe medication to help reduce the itching.
Also, try to stay away from things like these that can make itching worse:
- Direct exposure to sunlight
- Bathing in hot water
- Eating spicy, heavy foods
- Using soaps that dry out the skin
Washing your body frequently and using emollients to moisturize the skin can also help a lot.
What to do for nausea and stomach discomfort?
There are several types of medications that can help with stomach discomfort and nausea. Antiemetics, in particular, can provide great relief. Talk to your doctor about this. In addition, try these things.
| Advice | Description |
|---|---|
| Cooking | If the smell of cooking makes you nauseous, ask someone else to cook if possible. |
| Drink before meals | Avoid drinking a lot of fluids at once before meals. |
| Food temperature | Hot food has a strong smell, so if smell is a problem, eat it at a low temperature or cold. |
| Meal plan | Don't eat a large meal at once, eat in small portions, chewing well. |
| Simple food | When symptoms are at their worst, focus on bland, simple foods like crackers and toast. |
| Ginger and mint | Try foods and drinks containing ginger or mint (e.g. ginger tea). |
Let's manage unbearable fatigue
Fatigue is one of the biggest challenges that comes with this condition. To manage it, you need to learn to work within the limits of your energy levels.
Ask for help
Don't feel guilty about asking for help. Remember, your friends and family want to help you, but they don't know how. So telling them what you need is a way of helping them.
Move a little.
It may sound strange to exercise when you're tired, but a little exercise can give you a new lease of life. Even a short walk around the house, or a simple exercise you can do while sitting in bed, can make a big difference.
Plan your work.
Save your energy for the things you enjoy doing the most. Don't try to do everything at once. Break the tasks into chunks and do them according to a plan.
Make time for rest.
Even if you can't sleep, simply sitting or lying down at certain times during the day can help your body regain energy.
💡 Take-Home Message
- Be sure to talk to your doctor about any symptoms you experience, no matter how minor. Don't hide anything.
- Symptoms such as pain, nausea, fatigue, and itching can be largely controlled with medical advice and treatment.
- Nutrition is very important. Even if you don't feel like eating, try to eat small, quality meals as much as possible.
- You are not alone on this journey. Never hesitate to ask for help from family and friends.
- Your doctor is your best friend in managing your symptoms. Maintain regular contact with him or her.
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