It seems like everything changes after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Regardless of the stage or the type of cancer, therapy to combat the complications is complicated. There’s also an emotional part of the disease and a social burden that only people with cancer understand.
What can you do about it? In this article, we’re briefly covering what to expect of cancer and coping strategies that will be helpful.
1Living With Lung Cancer Symptoms
In some cases, lung cancer does not have apparent symptoms. But most people are diagnosed after they start experiencing problems such as breathlessness, chest pain, and cough.
One of the most common symptoms is breathlessness, and after a while, it can be very frustrating because you have the sensation of running out of breath. But frustration can make it worse. If you want to feel better, try breathing slowly and practice breathing exercises. Remember that you could trigger breathlessness by physical activity, so depending on your condition, you could shop using a trolley or keep your essentials at hand instead of looking for them in different rooms and upstairs. Home oxygen treatment is an excellent option if your condition is severe. If you start experiencing severe breathlessness suddenly and without an obvious trigger, it is essential to report the problem to your doctor because it could be caused by a pleural effusion.
Pain is another common symptom in lung cancer patients, and it is often controlled by medications. But as cancer progresses, pain can become a problem difficult to handle. Palliative care considers the changing nature of cancer pain and makes adjustments accordingly. So, take your medications as instructed and if you feel they are no longer working, talk to your doctor to adjust the dose.
