Anxiety
Cancer takes a toll on both the body and mind. Your loved one is coping with many different things now. He/she may feel overwhelmed. Pain and medicines for pain can also make them feel anxious or depressed. And they may be more likely to feel this way if they have had these feelings before. Here are some signs of anxiety:
- Feeling very tense and nervous
- Racing heartbeat
- Sweating a lot
- Trouble breathing or catching your breath
- A lump in your throat or a knot in your stomach
- Sudden fear
Feeling anxious can be normal. But if it begins disrupting daily life, ask for help from the members of your health care team. They can recommend someone for your loved one to talk to. Counseling from a mental health professional has been shown to help many people cope with anxiety. Your doctor can also give medicines that will help. Some of the complementary and alternative medicine choices for pain may work for anxiety as well.
Constipation
Another side effect of cancer treatment is constipation. Constipation is a problem in which stool becomes hard, dry, and difficult to pass, and bowel movements do not happen very often. Other symptoms may include painful bowel movements, and feeling bloated, uncomfortable, and sluggish. Chemotherapy, as well as other medicines (especially those used for pain), can cause constipation. It can also happen when people become less active and spend more time sitting or lying down.
Here are some ways to help manage constipation:
- Drink plenty of fluids each day. Many people find that drinking warm or hot fluids helps with bowel movements.
- Be active-- walking, water aerobics, or yoga. If your loved one cannot walk, talk with your doctor or nurse about ways he/she can be active, such as doing exercises in bed or a chair.
- Ask your doctor, nurse, or dietitian if your loved one should eat more fiber. He or she may suggest bran, whole wheat bread and cereal, raw or cooked vegetables, fresh and dried fruit, nuts, and popcorn and other high-fiber foods.
- Let your doctor or nurse know if your loved one is having pain or discomfort from not having a bowel movement. He or she may suggest an enema or take a laxative or stool softener. Check with your doctor or nurse before using any of these.
- Ask your doctor about giving laxatives when pain medication is started. Taking a stool softener at the same time your loved one starts taking pain drugs may prevent the problem.
Loss of Appetite
Eating and appetite changes are common in the later stages of cancer. As cancer progresses, your loved one's appetite may become poor.
On the other hand, your loved one may be eating enough, but the body can't absorb the nutrients. This can cause weight, fat, and muscle loss.
Nutrition goals may become less important at this time. The goal should not be weight gain or improving eating but rather comfort and symptom relief.
Your nurse, dietitian, and other members of your health care team can help. They can help you decide on changes to your loved one's diet that may be needed to keep them as healthy as possible. There are also new drugs to improve appetite and get rid of nausea. Ask your health care team about them.
Sleep Problems
Illness, pain, drugs, being in the hospital, and stress can cause sleep problems. Sleep problems may include:
- Having trouble falling asleep
- Sleeping only in short amounts of time
- Waking up in the middle of the night
- Having trouble getting back to sleep
To help with your sleep problem, try:
- Reducing noise, dimming the lights, making the room warmer or cooler, and using pillows to support the body
- Dressing in soft, loose clothing
- Going to the bathroom before bed
- Eating a high-protein snack 2 hours before bedtime (such as peanut butter, cheese, nuts, or some sliced chicken or turkey)
- Avoiding caffeine (coffee, teas, colas, hot cocoa)
- Keeping regular sleep hours (avoid naps longer than 15-30 minutes)
- Talking with your health care team about drugs to help your loved one sleep. These may give relief on a short-term basis.
Confusion
You may start noticing signs that your loved one feels confused. This can occur in some people with advanced stage cancer. It can also be caused by some medicines. Confusion may begin suddenly or come and go during the day. Possible signs include:
Sudden changes in feelings (such as feeling calm then suddenly becoming angry)
Having trouble paying attention or concentrating (such as feeling easily distracted, having trouble answering questions, or finding it harder to do tasks that involve logic, such as math problems)
Memory and awareness problems (such as forgetting where you are and what day it is or forgetting recent events)
If you notice these signs, talk to your health care team to try to find out the cause. Meanwhile, try one or more of the following to help relieve confusion:
- Go to a quiet, well-lit room with familiar objects.
- Reduce noise.
- Have family or loved ones nearby.
- Put a clock or calendar where it can be seen.
- Limit changes in caregivers.
- Ask your health care team about drugs that may help.
The National Cancer Institute coordinates the National Cancer Program conducts and supports research and training to find the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer.