Health Desk: Pain that comes along with the treatment of cancer is nothing short of a malady itself. The stubborn pain is so severe that experts are calling it a condition by itself. Cancer pain starts along with the disease and can affect bones, organs and also nerves. The traditionally recommended opium-derived pain killers, like morphine and codeine, only provide temporary relief. And it goes without saying - they have side effects as well, like constipation and sedation. In fact, the patients may also develop a dependence on them and need larger and larger doses to achieve the same kind of impact as they develop a tolerance towards them. Such a situation calls for a need of alternate pain management. There are many try-at-home ways that can help you achieve similar effects as opioid-based medicines. They are generally safe to try and are effective in suppressing pain without showing any side effects. Here we list down four such ways that work to block inflammation-causing enzymes, hence lessening pain and swelling.
1.Curcumin is a turmeric extract that includes almost 3 per cent of the total turmeric powder. Curcumin is known for its anti-cancer properties, which not only include pain suppression but also searching for pain-causing free radicals in the body and destroying them. Both turmeric and curcumin have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
2.A study conducted by a New York-based cancer research center concluded that turmeric was more precise as compared to aspirin in stopping inflammation. One can substitute NSAIDs for curcumin supplements or incorporate in their diet by making sure that they consume adequate amounts of the herb.
Studies have also shown that curcumin has the ability to trigger apoptosis (programmed cell death) that kills cancer cells without harming the healthy cells of the body. It can also stop the cancer cells from dividing. A study in fact showed that curcumin killed more cancer cells than chemotherapy alone.
3.It is a papaya fruit extract that comes from unripe papaya skin. Studies have shown that Papain attacks tumour cells and betters your immunity. The herb has also been proven to reduce the effects of radiation.
You can consume Papain in the form of Papain based supplements, or administer it topically.
4.Ginger extract is helpful in lessening pain and inflammation. It works by lowering the number of prostaglandins, molecules that indicate pain. Besides reducing pain, ginger is also effective in reducing the feeling of nausea and discomfort.
You can consume ginger fresh or as a dried root. It is available in the form of capsules, oils or extracts.
Not a herb but as vital as one, water is essential when you are undergoing chemotherapy. The process of chemotherapy causes your body to lose water, increasing the need to sip water regularly. It helps to flush the toxins off your blood stream and prevents a toxic waste build-up in your kidneys. It helps minimize tiredness and fatigue. Usually, bowel movement gets affected by chemotherapy, leading to constipation. Staying hydrated also helps deal with such gastro problems.