Proper care can eliminate dry mouth in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy

Nasopharyngeal cancer patients will experience some side effects after radiotherapy, such as dry mouth, dry skin, difficulty opening the mouth, and hearing loss, among which dry mouth is the most common symptom. In fact, dry mouth after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer is a normal phenomenon. Patients and their families do not need to worry too much. As long as proper care is provided, the dry mouth symptom will disappear.

1. Diet care

Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who experience dry mouth symptoms after radiotherapy should be given a high-calorie, high-vitamin semi-liquid diet, avoid fried and rough foods, and not drink alcohol.

2. Psychological care

Before radiotherapy, nasopharyngeal cancer patients should learn about xerostomia and possible discomfort symptoms, and realize that xerostomia is unavoidable and the discomfort will gradually ease after adaptation. At the same time, medical staff and family members should give more comfort to patients with xerostomia, eliminate their tension and irritability, and build their confidence in overcoming the disease.

3. Rehabilitation care

When nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients experience dry mouth symptoms after radiotherapy, they can use 4% borax solution or 3% sodium bicarbonate solution to rinse their mouths. If oral ulcers, pseudomembranes, and pain occur, their diet and nutritional status should be evaluated in a timely manner. Beifuji can be applied externally to relieve pain, or a mixture of normal saline, lidocaine, and vitamins can be used to rinse the mouth, which can have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.

4. Treatment of oral problems

Oral pretreatment is required before radiotherapy, such as removing tooth roots, repairing caries, and treating oral inflammation, which can alleviate complications such as dry mouth after radiotherapy in NPC patients to a certain extent. After the symptoms of dry mouth appear, patients should pay attention to maintaining oral hygiene, such as drinking more water, rinsing with light salt water or mouthwash after meals, and brushing teeth with a soft toothbrush in the morning and evening.