Manuka and Kanuka
Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) and kanuka (Kunzea ericoides) are indigenous to New Zealand and have been used medicinally by both Maori and early European colonists. Both of these essential oils are known to have antibacterial and antifungal activity and contain subtances that have anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions. Manuka and kanuka were examined for their effect on mucositis.
Manual Lymph Drainage
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a treatment technique that uses a series of rhythmic light strokes to reduce swelling and improve the return of lymph to the circulatory system.
Managing Patient Expectations
Managing patient expectations involves influencing the patient regarding the anticipation of symptom development or effectiveness of an intervention through education and discussion. This type of intervention is based on the idea that if patients expect to have a problem, they are more likely to do so, and if patients expect an intervention for symptoms to be effective, it is more likely to be effective. Education and discussion are pointed to diminish negative expectations.
Management of Concurrent Symptoms
Management of concurrent symptoms involves assessment, intervention, and ongoing monitoring and management of multiple patient symptoms that are experienced at the same time, rather than interventions focused on a single problem. Many concurrent symptoms may be seen as a symptom cluster, often occurring together. Studies have been done to examine the effect of managing multiple symptoms on the patients' experience of a variety of individual patient outcomes.
"Magic" Mouthwash (Mixed Medication Mouthwash)
Magic mouthwash is used to treat oral mucositis associated with chemotherapy or radiation. The composition of magic mouthwash varies widely and may include antibiotics, antihistamines, local anesthetics, antifungals, corticosteroids, or antacids. The majority of magic mouthwash formulations are intended to be held in the mouth for one to two minutes and then spit or swallowed.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin used in the human body for the synthesis of proteins for blood coagulation and the binding of calcium ions. A form of vitamin K, vitamin K1, is synthesized by plants and is found in a high concentration in green, leafy vegetables. Vitamin K1-based creams have been investigated in mitigating skin toxicities caused by cancer treatment.
Vitamin E and C
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin found in seeds, nuts, leafy vegetables, and vegetable oils that has antioxidant properties. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that also has antioxidant properties. The combination of these two vitamins has been evaluated in patients with cancer for the treatment of radiation-induced diarrhea.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin found in seeds, nuts, leafy vegetables, and vegetable oils. It is a type of antioxidant and helps prevent cell damage caused by free radicals (highly reactive chemicals). It is being studied in the prevention and treatment of some types of cancer. Vitamin E has been used as an oral or parenteral supplement and as a solution for topical application. Vitamin E has been examined in management of diarrhea, mucositis, peripheral neuropathy, skin effects, cognitive impairment, and hot flashes.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that cannot be made by the body and must be obtained from foods or other sources. Vitamin C is found in abundance in citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruit, and lemons, as well as in green leafy vegetables, potatoes, strawberries, bell peppers, and cantaloupe. Its scientific or medical name is ascorbic acid or ascorbate. Vitamin C supplements are available in powder or chewable pill form.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality refers to a computer-simulated environment with sensual stimuli and interactive software and hardware that can create the feeling of physical presence in an imaginary environment. Virtual reality has been evaluated as a distractive intervention to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients with cancer and for its effect on anxiety.