What is mucositis, a serious side effect of cancer treatment that Hina Khan has been diagnosed with?

While battling breast cancer, actress Hina Khan revealed that she has been diagnosed with mucositis. The 36-year-old actress shared a post on social media and opened up about her struggle of not being able to eat anything. Hina even asked people to help her with remedies.

“Another side effect of chemotherapy is mucositis, though I am following doctors’ advice to treat it. If any of you have gone through it or know of any helpful remedies, please suggest (folded hands emoji). It’s really tough when you can’t eat. It would help me a lot,” she wrote on Instagram.

What is mucositis??

Also known as inflammation of the mucous membranes, mucositis causes intense pain in the protective mucous membrane that lines the entire gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the intestines. Mucous membranes line many cavities and channels in the body, but mucositis particularly affects those in the digestive system, especially the oral cavity.

According to doctors, it is a common side effect of many cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or stem cell or bone marrow transplants.

How does mucositis affect your body??

Doctors say that at least 50 to 80 percent of those receiving chemotherapy and 80 to 100 percent of those receiving whole-body radiation therapy develop mucositis.

These treatments are designed to treat cancer cells that divide and attack normal cells in the body. However, since the therapies cannot discriminate between the two, mucosal cells are also affected. Typically, rapid cell turnover is part of what makes the mucosa the protective barrier that it is. It allows the mucous membrane to renew itself regularly, removing abrasive particles and pathogens and rapidly healing lesions.

In addition to damaging existing cells in your mucosa, mucositis also impairs their ability to replicate and heal, removing the protective barrier that helps you eat properly. It also makes you more vulnerable to infections.

According to experts, mucositis most often affects the mouth and the lining of the cheeks, the most sensitive parts of the body, causing inflammation. It also causes red, shiny, swollen, raw and painful sores.

Signs and symptoms of mucositis

In addition to pain and inflammation, some other signs and symptoms of mucositis include:

Doctors say that while mucositis usually resolves on its own once cancer treatment ends, it can wreak havoc on the body. If you are undergoing chemotherapy, mucositis appears one to two weeks after treatment begins and resolves within at least six weeks. If you are undergoing radiation therapy, mucositis appears two to three weeks after treatment begins and resolves within two to four weeks after therapy ends.

However, during the treatment time, to overcome the symptoms, you can take:

Medications for pain treatment

Mucositis causes severe pain in the mouth. Although doctors can prescribe topical agents, these do not last long or may not reach all affected areas. You may need a combination of different methods to control the pain, including over-the-counter pain relievers.

Oral care

Doctors recommend paying special attention to oral health when suffering from mucositis, not only to reduce discomfort but also to protect the mouth from further irritation and infection. Even normal activities such as chewing, speaking and swallowing can contribute to the breakdown of weakened mucosa.

So, be sure to eat gentle foods and products that help lubricate and coat your mouth and throat. Also, practice extra oral hygiene by brushing, rinsing, and flossing regularly.

Diet

Take care of your diet, avoiding acidic, spicy and crunchy foods, as well as sugar and alcohol, which are abrasive and encourage the growth of bacteria and fungi.

Hydration

Drink plenty of fluids to keep your body hydrated and increase lubrication of the gastrointestinal tract.