Nursing care for radiotherapy reaction in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

After a period of treatment, many nasopharyngeal cancer patients have realized that they still need to rely on radiotherapy to treat nasopharyngeal cancer. Although radiotherapy is very effective in treating nasopharyngeal cancer, and many patients have saved their lives through this method, the side effects of radiotherapy are also unbearable for many people. How to care for nasopharyngeal cancer after radiotherapy?

1. Keep your mouth clean. You can rinse your mouth with light salt water and brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush until the oral mucosa returns to normal.

2. Protect the skin in the radiation area. Wear a hat to cover your skin when going out. Do not apply cosmetics or irritating ointments. Do not use soapy water or irritating bath gel to wash the skin until the skin in the radiation area returns to normal.

3. Apply nasal drops 23 times a day to keep the nasal cavity clean. Do not pick your nose hard to prevent bleeding.

4. Keep doing mouth opening exercises (maximum limit) 100 times a day to prevent temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

5. It is recommended to eat high-protein, high-vitamin, easily digestible foods, such as lean meat, eggs, fish, vegetables, and fruits, and avoid spicy and irritating foods.

6. Most patients will experience dry mouth within a few years and can drink tea made from honeysuckle or chrysanthemum.

7. Tooth extraction is contraindicated within 3 years, because the body's resistance is low after radiotherapy, and bacteria can enter the gums after tooth extraction, causing osteomyelitis and bone necrosis. If you need to have a denture, you can do it about 1 year after radiotherapy.

8. Keep a good mood and avoid fatigue. A happy and optimistic attitude is beneficial to recovery.

The above are the care matters that nasopharyngeal cancer patients need to pay attention to after radiotherapy. If there are nasopharyngeal cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy in your family, I hope you can also learn some care common sense from the doctor to help them overcome the disease, prolong their lives and ensure their quality of life as much as possible during the treatment process.