Lifestyle Changes to Manage Hodgkin Lymphoma
by
Debra Wood, RN Lifestyle changes may not directly affect the cancer but can play an important role in overall physical and mental health. Some benefits include:
General GuidelinesQuit SmokingSmoking is a known risk factor for many cancers and other health disorders. It can also increase the risk of complications from medical procedures and slow tissue healing. When you quit smoking, the body immediately begins to repair itself. Quitting will help boost your immune system to help fight Hodgkin lymphoma and improve recovery from treatment. Reduce Your Risk of InfectionHodgkin lymphoma and its treatments reduce the body's ability to respond to infections. This can increase the risk of infection, or increase the severity of common infections, like a cold or the flu. To decrease the risk of infection while going through Hodgkin lymphoma treatment:
Make Dietary ChangesA healthful diet can help your body and mind. Your diet can provide fuel to help your body function at its best, and nutrition to help tissue heal and recover. Mood and overall energy will also be better with proper nutritional support. Cancer itself and some cancer treatments can reduce appetite. It becomes important to make the most of the calories that are eaten. A registered dietitian can help manage challenges that may be found with Hodgkin lymphoma and its treatments, and develop an effective meal plan. Exercise RegularlyExercise has many benefits that may help you withstand the physical and emotional stresses of cancer and cancer treatment including:
If you have not been exercising regularly, check with your doctor to choose a safe exercise program. You may consider consulting a personal trainer to help you set exercise goals and to safely follow through on initiating an exercise program. While adding exercise, be sure to balance rest and activities to prevent becoming too tired. Manage FatigueFatigue is the most frequently experienced symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma and its treatments. To help avoid getting overtired, prioritize tasks and focus on the most important ones. It is important to allow others to help you with daily chores, shopping, and preparing meals. If needed, plan time throughout the day for rest. If fatigue is affecting quality of life, talk to your doctor. Adjustments to your treatment may help. Seek SupportThe diagnosis of cancer is a life-defining event that can be difficult to handle. Facing the uncertainty of a serious disease, feeling anxious about how you will feel during treatment, lifestyle changes, and worrying about the impact of both the diagnosis and treatment can be overwhelming. It is important to rely on family, friends, and other people in your life. People who allow themselves to seek help while they are recovering from cancer can often maintain better emotional balance. Other sources of support include:
Family and caregivers may also need support. Encourage them to seek support groups or counseling geared toward them. Comfort MeasuresSome types of Hodgkin lymphoma can be harder to treat. Some people choose treatments to ease cancer complications or choose to stop treatment completely. Depending on your circumstances, it may be realistic to begin end-of-life planning. Considerations may include:
If you need guidance, talk to a member of your healthcare team. You can be referred to a trained professional to guide you through the process.
Sources:General information about adult Hodgkin lymphoma. National Cancer Institute website. Available at:
https://www.cancer.gov/types/lymphoma/patient/adult-hodgkin-treatment-pdq.
Updated October 27, 2015. Accessed March 4, 2016.
Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114957/Hodgkin-lymphoma-HL
. Updated January 29, 2016. Accessed March 4, 2016
Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Leukemia & Lymphoma Society website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed February 29, 2016. Stay healthy. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/healthy.html. Accessed March 4, 2016. Last reviewed February 2021 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Mohei Abouzied, MD | ||
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