Natural Treatments To Aid In Side Effects of Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, causing B-cell or T-cell lymphocytes to grow quickly and out of control. The standard treatments for lymphoma are radiation therapy and chemotherapy, both of which have substantial negative side effects.

Some patients may wish to supplement these treatments with alternative medicine as a way to combat side effects. "Natural" treatment for lymphoma should only be used in conjunction with modern treatments.

The Importance of Mainstream Treatments

Many patients seeking alternative treatments for lymphoma hope that they will be able to avoid the unpleasantness of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The effectiveness of alternative medicines in the fight against cancer is still unclear, however. By the time it becomes apparent that alternative treatments have not slowed the disease, it may be too late to treat with conventional means, or may require stronger measures than would have been necessary if treatment had begun sooner.

Any course of treatment should be discussed at length with your doctor. While the choice is ultimately up to the patient as to which options to explore, it is important to realize that many modern treatment protocols are effective, and are becoming safer and less painful all the time.

Diet and Supplements

The most important factor in the progression of many diseases, not just cancer, is diet. Most people don't realize how much of an effect diet has on the way they feel. If you are fighting a disease like lymphoma, the first step should be to eliminate from your diet any foods that might cause an inflammatory reaction. These include dairy, wheat (gluten), corn, and artificial preservatives. In addition, eating fewer refined foods like white flour and sugar can improve immune response, as can giving up alcohol or coffee.

Antioxidants have received a surge of popularity in recent years, thanks to their potent cancer-fighting qualities. Kale, spinach, peppers and cruciferous veggies like cauliflower and broccoli contain these compounds, as do berries. Fish is a good choice to replace red meat as a source of lean protein, as it also contains powerful omega-3 fatty acids.

Ideally, most vital nutrients would be found in you daily diet, but realistically, a daily multivitamin might be the only way to get the right amount of certain compounds your body needs. These vitamins and minerals are natural help for lymphoma.

Additional Natural Options

There are a number of other activities or treatments that may be effective, including the following:

• Sunlight

  Not only can sunlight help replace vitamin D lost to cancer, but it also has mood-boosting effects.

• Baking Soda

  Lymphoma is often characterized in part by an itchy rash on the skin. An age-old remedy for this is to make a paste of baking soda and water and apply directly to the affected areas.

• Art Therapy

  Use art therapy to address the emotional impact of the disease and its treatment. Creating and enjoying art can reduce anxiety and stress, and may help prevent major depression.

• Traditional Chinese Medicine

  A broad category of therapies, traditional Chinese medicine can include herbs like ginseng to boost the immune and nervous systems, and acupuncture or acupressure to help drain the lymph nodes.

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