Radiation therapy is a common treatment for cancer, but it can also have side effects that affect the throat. This article will discuss how the throat is impacted and how to manage the side effects of treatment.

Dryness and Irritation

One of the most prevalent side effects of radiotherapy on the throat is dryness and irritation. The radiation can cause drying and cracking in the mucous membranes that line the throat. This can lead to pain and burning sensations when speaking, swallowing, or eating. It may also become difficult to keep food down due to discomfort. To help alleviate this symptom, patients should try drinking plenty of fluids throughout their treatment process and use a humidifier in their home to moisten mucus membranes.

Swelling

Another potential side effect of radiotherapy on the throat is swelling in the area where radiation is being administered. This swelling typically lasts several weeks after radiation treatments have ended, during which time swallowing can be difficult or painful, as food may get stuck in the swollen parts of the throat. To deal with these issues, doctors will often prescribe steroids or anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and inflammation associated with swelling in the throat area.

Nausea

Since radiation treatments specifically target cells that are rapidly growing or dividing, they can damage healthy cells as well as cancerous ones, leading to nausea and vomiting as a result of both the physical and psychological stress caused by treatments. To combat these symptoms, anti-nausea medications can be taken before each treatment session to help reduce nausea levels and make it more bearable for patients receiving radiation therapy for their cancer.

Hoarseness and Weak Voice

Another potential side effect caused by radiotherapy on the throat is hoarseness or a weak voice due to damage caused by radiation or swelling from treatment sessions. This puts pressure on vocal cords resulting in difficulty speaking normally or at all in some cases. Speech therapy may be recommended for hoarse or weak voices caused by radiotherapy. Medications such as corticosteroids may help. These reduce inflammation and restore normal functioning within vocal cords that have been damaged by radiation exposure during cancer treatments.

Difficulty Swallowing

Difficulty swallowing is another very common issue experienced by those who have undergone radiation therapy for cancer in or around their throats, particularly if they had existing medical conditions such as a stroke prior to beginning radiation treatments. Radiation treatment will complicate things further by making swallowing more challenging due to either physical impairments caused by the strokes combined with damage inflicted upon nerves endings directly related to the muscular control essential for swallowing. It can also make it difficult to ingest any food and beverages on a regular basis without feeling discomfort. Thickening gels can help manage dysphagia symptoms; patients can use SimplyThick gel for thickening food and beverages.

Radiotherapy has many potential side effects when used to treat cancers in and around the throat area but not all people experience the same issues. 

Are you a senior who is living a rather sedentary lifestyle? Do you often find yourself going days, even a full week with little to no physical activity? It’s a common issue that many seniors face but it can be very detrimental to their overall health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 28% of people age 50 and older live a physically inactive lifestyle. What’s even more alarming is that inactivity can increase a person’s risk of developing many health issues such as heart disease, depression, cardiovascular disease, reduced mobility, memory lapses, lowered life expectancy and more.

If you’re a senior who recognizes the importance of activity but aren’t sure how to introduce it into your lifestyle, here are some solutions that can help.

Walking Is Often the Best Place to Start

You may be under the impression that you need to engage in high-impact exercise to gain any type of results, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. One of the best exercises for seniors is walking. There’s no need to jog or even speed walk; just pick a pace that is comfortable and safe for you. The key is to make it a regular activity – daily – as that’s how you get results.

Walking can be done indoors or outdoors, whatever you prefer. You may want to purchase a wearable fitness tracker to count steps and track other health parameters. Many people find this helps them set daily fitness goals and make sure they are meeting them.

Join a Senior Sports or Activity Club

Most cities and towns have organized senior sports and activities that can also get you up and moving. The nice thing about these clubs is that there is a social aspect involved, so you’ll be working out your body while feeding your mind with fun and engaging experiences. It’s a great way to meet other seniors in your area and form new bonds.

Begin the Day with Light Stretches

Want to start the day off on the right foot? Try doing light stretches in the morning. This can help build strength and flexibility which will aid in balance and overall support. You can speak to your doctor about what the best stretches are for you, and then build a routine.

Assisted Living Facilities Can Offer a Wide Array of Activities

Sometimes the best solution is to consider moving to an assisted living facility for seniors. These types of facilities excel in offering active senior living options, providing residents with an array of engaging activities. There is typically a daily program offered to residents that is geared to exercise their body and mind – keeping them healthy in every sense. And because it is an assisted living facility, the programs are designed for them to be able to do, meaning nothing will be too hard or strenuous for them.

The fact is that living a sedentary lifestyle is one of the worst things seniors can do for their physical and mental well-being. Turning things around is possible as long as you prioritize daily activities.

Because of the growing popularity in the CBD industry, people are now getting familiar with the benefits that hemp provides. Consumers swear it helps them in so many ways, and many health providers speak highly of it.

During this article’s entirety, you will learn more about the CBD hemp flowers’ potential benefits and the best ways to consume it.

What is CBD Hemp Flower?

Just in case you are not entirely certain of what this compound is, a CBD hemp flower or cannabinol flower is the growing buds of a hemp plant. Unlike the oil concentration, the cannabinol flower only needs to be harvested and dried up, and it’s ready for sale and consumption.

Studies have shown that CBD flowers help relieve several medical conditions, including anxiety and depression, epilepsies and seizures, mood swings and insomnia, and combating skin diseases.

A remarkable fact about the cannabinol flower is that it doesn’t have any side effects. If side effects occur, it might be due to overconsumption, and there are not long-lasting. Researchers have found out that the reason for the positive effects of CBD is because even though it is derived from a hemp plant, it has little or no amount of THC, the ingredient responsible for causing the psychoactive effects in a hemp plant.

You can consume the compound as much as you want without experiencing any feeling of “high,” which makes it safe and great for use.

Let’s take a look at the benefits of consuming CBD hemp flowers

• Relieves Symptoms of Several Medical Conditions

There are medical studies ongoing to find out the extent of the benefits of cannabidiol. Experts have suggested that the compound helps alleviate the symptoms of several medical conditions such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and seizures, multiple sclerosis, dystonia, Parkinson’s disease, and skin diseases acne.

Cannabis can also be used to treat several mild conditions like loss of appetite, mood swings, anxiety and depression, and pains. The link here https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/16/style/self-care/cbd-oil-benefits.html has more on how cannabis could be of benefit medically.

• CBD is Quite Affordable

Even though the cannabis industry is continuously growing, its prices remain cheap and affordable for purchases. For this reason, anyone can get their hands on the product and get to experience the benefits for themselves.

The CBD hemp flowers are cheaper than other cannabis products because of the process involved in manufacturing them. As discussed earlier, the process of deriving the flowers only takes harvesting, and that’s all. In contrast, the CBD oil will take the extraction process that is costly to get the quality product.

• It is Fast Acting

Most people like this product because when ingested, it is quick to act, mostly when consumed through the use of rolling papers and glass pipes. When CBD is consumed through smoking, the cannabinoids in the compound are carried by smoke into the lungs, instantly entering the bloodstream.

On the other hand, if you decide to use CBD oil tincture, it takes approximately 30 minutes for the effects to kick in. If you want a faster action with cannabinol, I suggest you inhale it through a vape or go traditional and smoke it.

• It Doesn’t have any Psychoactive Effects.

As discussed earlier, cannabinol has no psychoactive ingredients that can alter the mind of its user. Compared to marijuana, that has many THC components that can cause harm and dangers to a user. Thus, cannabinol flowers are a better option as they are safe and do not change the consumer’s mood. There are more tips on this page about the psychoactive effect of cannabis.

How to Use CBD Hemp Flower?

There are two main methods of consuming cannabinol flowers. Firstly, you can smoke the products like other tobacco brands, and secondly, you can choose to incorporate them into your food recipes.

Most people who enjoy smoking roll-up the hemp plant’s buds into a rolling paper and smoke the flower, which is soothing and fast-acting, as discussed above. But if you do not particularly enjoy smoking, it’s advisable to mix the substances into your baking or cooking, whichever suits you the most.

Final Note

There are several benefits of CBD hemp flower, but ensure that you consult your health practitioner before using the substance. This way, you will be provided with a detailed brief regarding your condition and medical history.