Naturopathic Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer
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Supportive Therapies for Pancreatic Cancer Patients: Naturopathic Medicine
Throughout your pancreatic cancer treatment, you may experience a range of symptoms that can impact your quality of life. The Naturopathic Medicine Department at CTCA strives to strengthen your immune system, boost your energy level, and reduce treatment-related side effects so you can feel better as you heal.
Naturopathic medicine focuses on the use of non-invasive, non-toxic therapies to encourage the inherent self-healing process. The goal is to use the healing power of nature to maintain and restore health.
When you arrive at CTCA, you will meet with a naturopathic clinician. Your naturopathic clinician will provide an assessment and then work with you to develop a personalized naturopathic plan. This plan will include safe, evidence-based natural therapies (e.g., vitamins, minerals, herbal medicines, homeopathy) to support you as you receive your conventional pancreatic cancer treatments.
For example, like many pancreatic cancer patients, you may have significant symptoms and discomfort after eating, which can interfere with your ability to digest nutrients and fat-soluble vitamins. Your naturopathic clinician will work alongside your oncologists to recommend a variety of supplements and botanicals that offer upper GI support. Your naturopathic clinician may also recommend acupuncture to help prevent or reduce symptoms like chemotherapy-induced nausea and post-operative nausea.
Naturopathic therapies can help you manage endocrine and blood sugar abnormalities, digest your food more easily, and better absorb nutrients. Therapies may also help prevent and treat nausea, and help to minimize acid reflux, heartburn, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
In addition, throughout your pancreatic cancer care, your naturopathic clinician will monitor your supplement and vitamin intake to ensure safety from potential drug-herb and drug-nutrient interactions.
Aside from personal consultations with your naturopathic clinician, you will also have access to educational classes. Programs include information about vitamin and mineral supplements, natural remedies, nutritional guidance, lifestyle changes, stress management techniques, and strategies for long-term prevention of pancreatic cancer recurrence.
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