Managing the Symptoms

The Symptoms of Lung Cancer

There are several lung cancer symptoms. Some symptoms may arise before you are diagnosed, while others may appear after you have been diagnosed or during therapy. Lung cancer affects people in a variety of ways. You may experience general symptoms of being unwell, or you may experience particular symptoms relating to your lungs or other sections of your body impacted by cancer.

Breathlessness

While breathing is something we do all the time and appears to be instinctive, you may learn to strengthen your control over it with practice. There are breathing exercises that could help you ease the discomfort.

Purse-lip Respiration

• Close your lips and inhale deeply through your nose for several seconds.
• For 4-6 seconds, exhale slowly through pursed lips (as if you’re going to whistle).

Breathing via the Diaphragm

• Relax your shoulders and chest.
• Place your fingers lightly on your tummy towards the front of your chest.
• Give a little cough. Your diaphragm is the muscle you feel under your fingers.
  Breathe in and feel the lower ribs and stomach lift under your fingertips as you inhale.
• Breathe out as gently as you can, like a sigh, and feel the lower ribs come down and in.
• Try to do this exercise five or six times.

Lower Chest Expansion

• Put your hands on either side of your sternum.
• Breathe out through your lips, allowing your ribs to descend as deep as they can.
• Then, when you breathe in via your nose or mouth, notice your ribcage expanding outwards towards your hands.
• To begin again, gently exhale.
• Try to do the exercise five or six times.

Positions that might help when you’re out of breath:

• Leaning forward in your seat.
• Sitting up straight.
• Sleeping on one’s high side (lie on your side with your head, neck, and side propped up with pillows).
• Leaning forward when standing.
• Standing backward or sideways.

The most essential thing is to feel at ease. Choose a stance that is appropriate for what you are doing and where you are. If you are doubtful, consult with your physiotherapist. Learning to relax and let go of muscle tension, such as hunched shoulders, clenched fists, or a knot in your stomach, can also help with anxiety and breathlessness. Many cancer treatment centers include relaxation workshops to assist you to learn methods.

Top tips for shortness of breath:

• Using an electric or portable fan might assist to reduce sensations of shortness of breath.
• Avoid taking too hot of a shower or bath since steam might impair your breathing.
• Allow yourself plenty of time. Rushing will just make your breath shorter.
• Maintain enough ventilation in all rooms.
• Keep goods you use regularly within easy reach to avoid excessive bending and stretching.
• If you smoke, quitting will help your shortness of breath.
• Replace bulky shopper bags with a shopping trolley or rucksack.
• Swimming, walking, yoga, and pilates are all good forms of mild exercise.

Breathlessness might interfere with daily tasks and make it difficult to go out and about. If you’re going out, try to plan ahead of time. If you are going somewhere unknown, try to acquire information ahead of time, such as if elevators and parking or transportation facilities are close.

You may notice that your mouth becomes dry or that you cough more in certain environments. Cold and wet weather or forced air and humid places, such as shopping malls, may make you feel more breathless. It’s a good idea to keep a little bottle of water or some candy on hand.

People who are short of breath may be concerned about becoming very active, which is understandable. Light exercise, on the other hand, can have significant health advantages. Swimming, walking, yoga, and pilates are all examples of breathing activities that might be beneficial.

If you have difficulties breathing while completing daily tasks such as walking, bathing, or dressing, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the government. You may also be eligible for a disability badge for parking or transport expenses.

Coughing

Coughing is a frequent and bothersome symptom of lung cancer that can interfere with many aspects of your life. Here are some suggestions for managing the cough:

• Increase your oral fluid intake, ideally with water. You should consume 6–8 glasses of water every day.
• Warm honey and water, as well as sucking on candies or lozenges, will also aid.
• Try inhaling vapor from boiling water that has been infused with herbal drops.
• Your doctor may prescribe a cough linctus or a cough suppressor.
• Sitting straight will help you cough more effectively if you are coughing up phlegm.

If you are coughing up phlegm, it should be clear or white. Please notify your healthcare staff if it gets discolored, such as yellow, green, or bloody. Some lung cancer sufferers will cough up blood. It can be caused by a bleed in the lung’s blood vessels, an infection, or a clot in the lung. It is critical to notify your doctor so that further examinations or therapy can be provided.

Tiredness

People suffering from lung cancer frequently experience exhaustion and a lack of vitality. Fatigue can be induced by cancer, treatment side effects, anemia, adverse effects of other medicines such as steroids or pain relievers, or anxiety and depression.

Fatigue might make you feel as if you don’t have any energy or power to accomplish anything – even getting out of bed can be difficult. Fatigue may have an impact on how you think and feel, therefore it is critical to strive to regulate your weariness as much as possible.

Tips for dealing with tiredness:

• When for example gardening, sit on a chair.
• Check that your bed and chairs are high enough for you to easily climb on and off.
• If your toilet is too low, a high toilet seat may be obtained.
• A grab bar near the bath, shower or toilet will help you maintain your balance.
• Get someone to assist you in preparing your meals for the day. It may also be beneficial to
  prepare multiple portions of meals and freeze them for use on days when you don’t feel like cooking.

It’s also critical to obtain a decent night’s sleep.

• Here are a few easy modifications that may assist if you’re having trouble sleeping:
• Avoid caffeine-containing beverages (coffee, tea, and fizzy drinks) before going to bed.
• Consider herbal (camomile) tea.
• Drinking alcohol in the evening may keep you from getting a good night’s sleep.
• Before going to bed, try to unwind by taking a warm bath, reading, or listening to music.
• Relaxation exercises may also be beneficial before going to bed.
• Check that the bedroom is not excessively hot or too cool.

Weight Loss or Loss of Appetite

People with lung cancer frequently lose weight. There might be several causes for this, including eating less than usual or your body not absorbing enough of the food you eat. Other symptoms such as shortness of breath, discomfort, and constipation can all have an impact on your appetite.

Here are some recommendations for dealing with weight loss and/or appetite loss:

• Instead of three substantial meals a day, try eating small, frequent meals.
• Consume meals that are tiny in size yet heavy in calories.
• When feasible, use products like cream, cheese, full-fat milk, butter, and yogurt.
• Keep healthful snacks on hand, eat when you are hungry, and reward yourself for things you love.
• Avoid drinking too much tea, coffee, or water because they are low in energy and might fill you full.
• Full-fat milk, milky coffee, or supplement drinks are also good options.

Your healthcare team will monitor your weight and may send you to a dietician for nutritional guidance. The dietician can advise you on which meals are best for you and provide dietary supplements to aid you. A brief course of steroids may also be prescribed by your doctor to boost your appetite, food intake, and overall sense of well-being.