Ways to Keep Physically Healthy During Cancer Treatment

Although there are different types of cancer treatment in today?s world, each of them can take a toll on the body. Even dealing with the emotional side of having cancer can be extremely draining. Whatever your treatment options for prostate cancer are or whichever advanced cancer treatment options you have chosen, it is important to keep the body healthy in other ways too.

Create an exercise plan
Exercise is probably the last thing on your mind when you are dealing with your treatment options for prostate cancer, but it is actually very important to your overall health. Exercise releases dopamine, a natural painkiller. It also clears your mind, allowing you to focus on the most important parts of your treatment. Exercising will also keep up your energy levels at a time when they are often declining. Being realistic will help you to achieve your exercise goals. There are going to be times that you are too tired to exercise. On these days, talk a short walk. Before beginning any exercise routine, discuss it with your physician.

Improve your eating habits
One of the most common side effects of many of the treatment options for prostate cancer is a lack of appetite. The idea of food may make you nauseous. If possible, it is also important to keep up with a healthy diet. Neglecting to eat healthy fruits and vegetables prevents the body from getting the additional nutrients it needs, especially during this tough time. There are also specific brain cancer treatments and head and neck cancer treatment options that are easier on the stomach. These treatment options might be a better option for those with strong stomach side effects. One particular therapy is proton radiation therapy. Proton therapy decreases the radiation dose to gastrointestinal structures by at least 59%, compared to Xrays. This treatment option allows you to keep up with a healthy diet.

Improving eating habits also means giving up harmful substances to the body. You should avoid things like cigarettes, illegal drugs, and alcohol during the treatment process. These things can make your side effects even worse. About 18% of men over the age of 18 have had five or more drinks in one day at least once in the past year. This type of drinking can be troublesome, without also going through tough treatment procedures.

Relax and reflect
It is likely that you have many thoughts running through your head. Although preparations and careful considerations are important when it comes to your treatment options for prostate cancer, it is also important to take a break from it all. Meditation and yoga can be helpful in freeing the mind and giving it a chance to relax. It can also be helpful to schedule a worrying time. It might sound weird, but giving yourself a set period of time to worry and be anxious allows your mind and body to relax the other parts of the day. Just make sure your scheduled time is earlier in the day. You will have all of your worries removed by bedtime.

Sleep a lot
Most treatment options, even proton beam radiation are likely to decrease your energy. You will feel fatigued and want to sleep a lot. This is your body attempting to recover. If you are tired, relax. If you have an especially difficult day, spend the day on the couch. Additionally, if you find conventional treatment options to be draining too much of your energy, an alternative treatment like proton beam radiation might be a better idea. Proton therapy is growing around the world. At the beginning of 2015, more than 30 particle therapy centers, with a total of about 80 treatment rooms, were under construction worldwide.

Any cancer treatment procedure is tough on the body. Even with reduced risk treatments like proton radiation therapy, the body can still experience extreme fatigue and a decrease in energy. It is important to keep up with a healthy diet, a good night of sleep, and to avoid any harmful substances. Exercise and meditation can also be helpful for clearing the mind, during a particularly stressful time.