Mesothelioma is preventable if the necessary precautions are observed. In case you are working with materials containing asbestos, ensure that your employer has followed Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations. However, if you happen to be diagnosed with mesothelioma at an advanced stage, you can receive treatment to help you manage the symptoms and improve your life quality. Below are some of the symptoms you may experience and how to manage them:
Fatigue
It is common for patients to experience fatigue when undergoing treatment. For people with cancer, fatigue is different, and it may not necessarily go away after sleep or rest. Low red blood cell count may cause it or side effects of the drug one is taking. Ways that you can manage fatigue are eating nutritious food to keep your energy levels up, sitting down whenever you can, and asking for help in doing tasks like cleaning and shopping.
Breathlessness
This is a common symptom of pleural mesothelioma. A buildup of fluid in the pleural cavity can pressure the lungs making it difficult to breathe. This fluid buildup can be controlled, but it will also depend on how functional your lungs were before diagnosis and surgery. Also, if the cancer is preventing the lungs from working properly, you may experience breathlessness. For patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma, a fluid buildup may cause the abdomen to swell. The only way to manage this symptom by draining it so that you can breathe easily.
Pain
Pain can either be caused by the mesothelioma or as a side effect of treatment. When you experience any pain, it is essential to talk to your doctor. Pain can be managed by taking different kinds of medication. The doctor will recommend paracetamol for mild pain; if the pain is moderate, they will give you codeine, and if the pain is extreme, you will be given opioid-based like morphine. It is also important to keep track of your pain, like when it comes from and how long it lasts. The doctor can use this information in deciding which pain medications you should take.
Difficulty Sleeping
Some of the reasons one may be having trouble sleeping can be pain, anxiety, depression, and breathlessness. It could also be a side effect of the drugs you are taking. Talk to your doctor about your difficulty in sleeping and see whether they can adjust your medications so that you sleep well. You can also try to stay away from devices like smartphones and computers before going to bed or cutting down on nicotine, caffeine, and spicy food.
Lack of Appetite and Weight Loss
Most people undergoing cancer treatment lose interest in food and lose weight. You can experience nausea, abdominal pain, trouble swallowing, or feeling down, which will generally affect your appetite. Most doctors will recommend that you see a dietician to help you make a meal plan.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma because you were wrongfully exposed to asbestos, then you can file a compensation claim. Find a mesothelioma law firm that will analyze your case and determine the eligibility of your claim.