Are Magical Thinking and Superstition Healthy? Magical thinking persists into adulthood and superstition into the modern era because of their ability to offer comfort and a sense of control over things that are beyond human control. The belief that you will never be in an accident, because you are charmed, provides comfort beyond that offered [...]
If I Have Diarrhea, What Is Causing It? Diarrhea can be due to • medications • inadequate dietary fiber • changes in your diet • radiation changes to the digestive tract •chemotherapy-related changes in the intestines or colon that cause poor absorption of food •cancer-related changes in the intestines or colon that cause poor absorption [...]
What Causes the Aftereffects of Radiation Therapy? Many factors contribute to the aftereffects often seen in the first year or so after radiation. Radiation causes damage to rapidly dividing tissue in the parts of the body exposed to the radiation such as the lining of the digestive tract, the lining of the airway and the [...]
Checkup anxiety is the experiencing of anxiety, irritability, sleep disturbance, or increased somatic symptoms prior to a routine checkup. A man who was treated successfully for lung cancer gets chest pain a few weeks before every annual checkup. His pain gets worse as the checkup approaches and disappears after his test results document his continued [...]
What Are the Benefits of Exercise While Recovering from Cancer Treatment? There are many potential benefits to exercising. Exercise • increases how much you can do (your functional capacity) • minimizes or prevents disabilities associated with treatment and with being out of condition • preserves muscle mass, strength, and endurance • improves circulation • possibly [...]