Name
Address
City
Zip
State
Phone
Diagnosis
Email
Comments

Alternative Mesothelioma Treatments

Mesothelioma is a terminal form of cancer. Treatment can help to extend the lifespan of a patient, but eventually, he or she succumbs to the disease. Because of this, people are willing to try anything that may provide more time or relief from symptoms. Several alternative mesothelioma treatments are currently in use, but medical experts warn patients that these treatments are meant to complement standard medical treatment.

To prevent patients from believing alternative treatments can be used alone, many specialists recommend they be labeled as complementary alternative medicine (CAM). Some doctors will tell patients that all CAM is useless and only provides false hope, but other doctors have recognized that CAM can be helpful in reducing stress, elevating the body's natural defenses against the disease and increasing a patient's comfort.

It is estimated that over 70 percent of mesothelioma patients practice some form of complementary or alternative treatment. This may be done with the help of the patient's medical doctors or it may require the patient to go outside the medical center on his or her own initiative.

Herbal Supplements for Mesothelioma

One of the most popular alternative treatments for mesothelioma is the use of herbal supplements or natural medicines. Hundreds of different natural medicines are being used by mesothelioma patients, but a few stand out as being much more popular and effective than others. It is important to note that supplements are neither tested nor endorsed by the FDA. Even so, several independent studies show that the following herbal supplements may help mesothelioma patients:

  • Astragalus - This root is native to China, and it may help to reduce stress. It is taken orally in a dried, powdered form or by injection.
  • Cats Claw - Cat's claw is a vine that grows in the Amazon rainforest and has been used medicinally since the time of the Incan civilization. Cat's claw may improve the immune system and reduce inflammation.
  • Celandine - This relative of the poppy grows in northern Europe and Asia. It is often taken as an extract or is used to make tea. Initial studies show that celandine may inhibit tumor growth.

Other Alternative Mesothelioma Treatments

A wide variety of other alternative mesothelioma treatments exist. Some of the most popular of these are as follows:

  • Meditation - Meditation has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. For many people, it can alleviate pain and help them to deal with the unavoidable outcome of the disease.
  • Yoga - Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years. Like meditation, it can provide psychological relief, but it also provides physical stimulation that can strengthen the body.
  • Acupuncture - Acupuncture is form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves helping energy to flow through the body by eliminating blocks. The blocks are eliminated by needles into pressure points on the body.

If you or someone you know has received a positive diagnosis for mesothelioma, contact us today for more information about treatment and other options that are available for mesothelioma patients.