Eye and ear care for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients during chemotherapy

Radiotherapy is the preferred treatment for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, long-term radiotherapy is prone to adverse reactions in patients, and the eyes and ears are no exception. Therefore, patients should also pay attention to the care of their eyes and ears during radiotherapy.

Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma may experience edema and congestion of the middle ear mucosa, hearing loss, tinnitus, ear pain and other symptoms due to radiation exposure. If the reaction is severe, the middle ear mucosa will swell and even punctate bleeding will occur, causing the patient to feel swollen and conduction disorders; if swelling occurs around the Eustachian tube or the lumen is blocked, it may lead to middle ear effusion, which may continue to develop into brain abscess and purulent meningitis if not treated.

When caring for the eyes and ears, the nasal cavity and Eustachian tube should be kept clear. Hydrogen peroxide and new ear oil or antibiotic ear drops can be used under the guidance of a doctor, usually once every two hours. 1% ephedrine plus gentamicin solution can also be used for nasal drops. When dropping the medicine, pay attention to the body position and tilt the head back.

Secondly, to reduce edema, hormone drugs such as dexamethasone, prednisone, etc. can be used under the guidance of a doctor. In case of inner ear and headache, painkillers can be taken as appropriate.

In addition, with the arrival of winter, the weather is cold. Patients with nasopharyngeal cancer should also pay attention to keeping warm and prevent colds to avoid aggravating the condition. If the patient has decreased vision or double vision, family members should strengthen their daily care to prevent falls.