5 Ways to Improve Quality of Life in Mesothelioma Patients

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be very devastating for the patient and their family. At that time, it may seem that life has dealt you the worst hand. But some ways can help mesothelioma patients improve their quality of life while battling cancer. Improving the quality of life doesn’t only make both parties emotionally stable but also improves prognosis and the overall health outlook. For this reason, doctors advise patients and their families to prioritize other aspects of their lifestyle and health. Some ways of improving the quality of life in mesothelioma patients include:

1. Prioritize nutrition and diet

Wellness and health start from the stuff you put in your body, namely, food. Eating a nutritious diet and taking care of health not only improves physical health but also improves the quality of life. Patients who are mindful of their diet are more likely to maintain their everyday activities with energy and vigor.

The Edith Cowan University and the University of Western Australia conducted a cancer research study that proved that patients who suffer from malignant mesothelioma are more susceptible to malnutrition. This aspect of their disease impacts their health and quality of life and results in the patient feeling tired, fatigued, irritable, etc. So, when patients get sick, they have a difficult time recovering. The same study connected the link between diet-related pre-sarcopenia and mesothelioma patients – patients experience muscle loss in their bodies, which makes it hard for them to perform even light activities. In this case, the best course of action is to acquire insight into mesothelioma, its effect on your health, and how you can improve your diet to avoid malnutrition. If you aren’t sure where to acquire reliable information and access to resources, online resources such as Mesothelioma Hope can help you.

How can you improve your diet?

Some tips to improve diet include:
Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits
Choose high-fiber whole grain food
Moderate your intake of alcohol, saturated fats, and red meat
Acquire nutritional support from a professional

2. Exercise

It may seem that exercising for a mesothelioma patient is dangerous, especially since cancer impacts the lung, but it is completely safe. Several studies have concluded that light to moderate exercise helps in improving physical strength, which can help in improving the patient’s prognosis and improve the quality of life. Therefore, even a short 15-minute walk can help elevate the patient’s energy and mood.

Exercising tips for mesothelioma patients

Set exercise goals
Add it to your daily routine
Find an enjoyable exercise, such as walking, dancing, Zumba, etc.
Go easy on yourself

3. Reduce stress

A cancer diagnosis is devastating news, and the treatment procedure doesn’t lighten the mental load either. While stress is a natural response, it still wreaks havoc on your mind and body, which makes the situation more difficult. In such a case, taking measures to reduce stress can help improve the quality of life.

Tips to reduce stress in mesothelioma patients

Avoid stressors and triggers by preventing them or anticipating them
Practice different types of stress management techniques such as mindfulness or breathing techniques
Acquire therapy to deal with the reality of your situation and learn to accept it with a positive mindset
Educate yourself about the disease
Take the initiative to improve the quality of life on your own hand
Work with the best specialists who can address your concerns to the best of their abilities
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Set your priorities straight
Recognize the limits of your body
Plan your finances
Limit your responsibilities
And let go of things that are not in your control

4. Pain management

Pain management is a major aspect of cancer treatment affecting the patient’s quality of life. Some studies have shown that cancer patients do not have adequate pain management systems and tend to accept the pain as a byproduct of the condition even when it can be managed.

However, there are clinical and natural pain management techniques that can help reduce or eliminate the pain, hence, improving the quality of life. Some of these methods are:

Mindfulness
Acupuncture
Exercise
Massage
Yoga
Pharmaceutical
Nerve blocks
Epidurals etc.

5. Finding support and community

All cancer patients need the support of other people going through the same experiences to find a sense of community, empathy, and common ground. Therefore, joining a support group or group therapy can help make the mesothelioma patient feel less alone and allow them to be more vocal about what they’re going through. Luckily, support groups and therapies take several forms at this age, and the patient can choose between the group, online meetings, in-person and one-on-one settings.

Conclusion

Battling cancer can weigh down heavily on patients and their loved ones. However, both parties can take different initiatives to improve the quality of life to make the time more pleasant and fulfilling. Therefore, educate yourself and your loved one about the condition and what it entails. It will help you gain more control of your health and allow you to make sound decisions that are suitable for you. In the meantime, following these pieces of advice can help improve the patient’s health and also give them a healthy and positive outlook on life and their treatment.