Integrative Strategies For Cancer Patients: A Practical Resource For Managing The Side Effects Of Cancer Therapy - Softcover

Ladas, Elena J

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9814313238 ISBN 13: 9789814313230

Publisher: Wspc, 2011

Synopsis

Integrative Strategies for Cancer Patients is the definitive resource on the benefits of integrative therapies during cancer treatment. The book does not need to be read cover to cover to learn about integrative medicine. Instead it is meant to be a reference handbook for managing the most common side effects afflicting patients with cancer. Integrative Strategies for Cancer Patients provides hands-on guidance with illustrations demonstrating how to use complementary/alternative therapies during cancer treatment. Some of the techniques you will learn about in this book are: Yoga poses and breathing exercises to increase energy and manage shortness of breath Acupressure points to reduce nausea, vomiting, and pain Aromatherapy (essential oils) to decrease feelings of nausea and anxiety Nutrition strategies to help manage loss of appetite, depression, and hot flashes Massage techniques to aid in relief of lymphedema, constipation, and loss of libido Reflexology applications for neuropathy, headaches, and insomnia Dietary supplements to improve symptoms of chemo brain, fatigue, and radiation burns 100% of the royalties from this book will benefit the Integrative Therapies Program at Columbia University Medical Center. The proceeds will provide additional support for research in the field of complementary/alternative medicine.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

Although 1.4 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year, few reliable resources are currently available to meet the increasing interest of cancer patients for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) techniques to manage the side effects of cancer treatment. An interactive, hands-on resource guide, this unique handbook reviews the applications of specific CAM therapies in the management of symptoms and side effects commonly encountered during cancer treatment. This handbook seeks to provide the patient undergoing cancer treatment with a comprehensive set of CAM self-care techniques, including Chinese medicine, acupressure, reflexology, massage therapy, aromatherapy, yoga, and nutritional and herbal counseling that do not require visiting with a CAM provider.

Organized alphabetically, each side effect chapter reviews both the conventional medicine and Chinese medicine perspective on the development and management of the side effect and reviews the applicable CAM therapies to help ameliorate the condition, referencing the pictorially descriptive appendix, organized by CAM treatment. This book can be used as a reference resource and does not have to be read from front to back. To help guide the patient who is considering CAM use while receiving cancer treatment, communication with health care providers and practical considerations are also reviewed.

This handbook seeks to address some of the more common side effects experienced by people undergoing cancer treatment and answers questions like:

* How can I relieve the nausea I have after my chemotherapy infusion?

* What can I do to alleviate the constipation I am experiencing?

* Why am I feeling so fatigued and how can I get more energy?

* With certain chemotherapy agents I have been getting tingling in my hands, which the doctors tell me is peripheral neuropathy. Is there an essential oil or massage technique that could help minimize the sensations?

About the Author

Elena J Ladas is the Director of the Integrative Therapies Program at Columbia University. She has provided guidance on integrative therapies to individuals with cancer for over 12 years. Elena serves as an advisory member to the National Cancer Institute's PDQ editorial boards on Complementary/Alternative Medicine and Supportive Care and holds positions in both national and international research groups in these fields Elena has published numerous articles and has lectured nationally and internationally on the topics of nutrition and integrative medicine. Elena is a registered dietician and is completing her doctoral education in nutrition at Columbia University.

Dr Kara Kelly is the Medical Director of The Integrative Therapies Program and is an Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Columbia University Medical Center. Dr Kelly is a pediatric oncologist with clinical expertise in the treatment of children with leukemia, lymphoma and histiocytic disorders. She currently serves as a member of several research consortiums including the Children's Oncology Group and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Consortium. Dr Kelly is a member of the National Cancer Institute's PDQ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Editorial Board. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Society of Integrative Oncology. Dr Kelly has lectured extensively on the topics of oncology and integrative medicine nationally and internationally.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wspc
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 9814313238
• ISBN 13: 9789814313230
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 316