Gradually, throughout the years, cancer has become one of the leading causes of death not only in the United States but throughout the world. Because of this, extensive researches for treatment of this dreaded disease have been done reputation leading to various kinds of approaches to treat the condition. However, most of these approaches have unacceptable side effects that even worsen the condition of the patient. Because of this, a growing number of people are looking for alternative treatments in order to avoid the terrible side effects of these conventional therapies. Acupuncture has emerged to be one of the safest and effective options for this oftentimes fatal disease.
What is Cancer?
Basically defined as a disease caused by abnormal cellular growth and division, cancer is categorized based on the kind of cell that initially impacts the organ. Presently, there are more than a hundred forms of cancer and they include:
-Renal cancer
-Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
-Melanoma
-Leukemia
-Breast cancer
-Bladder cancer
-Lung cancer
-Rectal cancer
-Colon cancer
-Endometrial cancer
Cancer can become deadly when the abnormal cells start to divide in an uncontrollable and abnormal manner resulting in the development of lumps or masses known as tumors. As these tumors grow in size, it can adversely impact the functions of the nervous, circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems.
The symptoms of cancer symptoms depend on where the cancer is located. Some of the common cancer symptoms include:
-Unexplained weight loss
-Profuse sweating
-Anemia
-Fever
-Fatigue
Vertigo, seizures, and headaches, may be experienced by the cancer patient when the cancer cells have spread to the brain. One the other hand, coughing and shortness of breath may be experienced when the cancer spreads to the lungs. Jaundice, accompanied by painful, breakable and brittle bones are symptoms that may arise when the cancer starts to affect the liver.
Treatments for Cancer
Vigorous studies have been done over the years to know what actually causes cancer and how it can be prevented. The overwhelming majority of cancer patients undergo chemotherapy, surgery or radiation to treat their condition. More often than not, these treatments even cause other problems and very serious side effects. Most of them, though, drastically alter diet and lifestyle in order to control and treat their cancer.
The health of the patient as well as his/her age, the type of cancer the patient and at what stage the cancer has developed are factors that will determine what kind of treatment the patient will get. Treatments for cancer include:
-Immunotherapy
-Gene therapy
-Hormone therapy
-Chemotherapy
-Surgery
-Radiation therapy
There are others who seek alternative therapies to help them cope with their symptoms. Acupuncture is one of the most commonly used alternative therapies for cancer. Studies reveal that this treatment can help treat the symptoms of cancer and aid the patient to improve his/her condition.
In What Way Can Acupuncture Help Cancer Patients
Several oncologists now actually suggest acupuncture to their patients to help them cope with their cancer as well as the toxic treatments used by mainstream medicine to treat cancer. Researchers state that acupuncture helps relieve the symptoms of painful and dry mouth and throat, vomiting, nausea, pain and hot flushes.
The severity of inflammation, swelling and pain are also significantly reduced with acupuncture for the treatment for cancer. This is important as it can help the patient reduce his medications. When the muscles and sensory neurons are stimulated, they convey signals to nervous system that releases natural painkilling neurotransmitters called endorphins that helps relax and calm the patient.
Chemotherapy causes side effects such as nausea and vomiting. Acupuncture treatment can help lessen the intensity and frequency of hot flushes, vomiting and nausea in breast cancer patients.
Sore and dry painful throat and mouth are to be expected when a person receives cancer therapy because the side effect of the therapy is lessened saliva production. Based on certain studies, acupuncture helps in reducing side effects of cancer therapy which helps the patient drink, eat and swallow normally. Acupuncture can also relieve several symptoms related to cancer including depression, fatigue, anxiety, appetite loss, coughing, diarrhea, loss of weight vertigo, bone pain and chest pain.
By helping relieve the frequency and severity of these symptoms, acupuncture can help the cancer patient get quality sleep which helps a lot on the improvement of the patient’s quality of life.
What Cancer Patients Have To Say About Acupuncture
Acupuncture is not a treatment that can cure or treat cancer. It is only effective in alleviating the symptoms of this really grave disease. Usually, this modality is used to relieve the side effects of
chemotherapy as well as the intensity and occurrence of hot flashes. This helps cancer patients in a huge way by making them feel more relaxed and it contributes to the betterment of the patient’s overall health.
DeJongh Acupuncture Clinic
2929 SW 3rd Ave #610
Miami, FL 33129
(305) 677-3214
https://www.miamiacupunctureclinic.com/
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