Corel Medical Series: Cancer/Corel Medical Series: Cancer.iso/mac/Program/p18.dxr/00071_Field_SRC.p18.A.15.txt

Text File | 1997-01-28 | 2KB | 18 lines

• Mucositis  Radiation mucositis frequently occurs after radiation to the head and neck. If the membranes lining
  your mouth and throat are inflamed, you will need a nourishing soft diet. Sharp-edged or salty foods, such as
  pretzels and potato chips, should be avoided. So should extremely hot or cold, acidic or spicy foods that may
  irritate the membranes even more. You should also stop drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking or chewing all
  forms of tobacco immediately, since they can irritate the mouth and throat.
      When you have mucositis, good oral hygiene is crucial. Frequent use of a gentle mouthwash can help reduce
  discomfort or pain, especially if you use a solution of baking soda and salt dissolved in warm water instead of
  commercial mouthwashes that might irritate the mucosa.
      If the mucositis is severe and interferes with eating or drinking, you can use a topical anesthetic such as
  viscous Xylocaine, gargling 1 tsp. (5 mL) before meals.  A slurry of sucralfate  (Carafate)—prepared by
  dissolving sucralfate in water and sorbitol, which is available at most drug stores—can also coat the oral
  membranes and soothe any discomfort.
      Your radiation oncologist will have to check your mucositis carefully and often to rule out monilia (fungus)
  infection. These infections can be treated locally or systemically with mycostatin (Nystatin) oral suspension or
  tablets, ketoconazole (Nizoral) or Diflucan.
• Dry mouth  Xerostomia, or dry mouth, isn't unusual after radiation to the mouth or pharynx, since you can't
  produce as much saliva after irradiation of the salivary glands. This may be a temporary condition, though if
  the total dose exceeds 4,000 cGy, you may have some degree of permanent mouth dryness. You can minimize