Hina Khan's battle with mucositis: signs, remedies, treatment, prevention tips | Health

Hindi television and Bollywood actress Hina Khan recently took to Instagram to talk about her battle with mucositis. Mucositis is a common side effect experienced by cancer patients during chemotherapy or radiotherapy and can significantly impact the quality of life for many patients. It can cause inflammation of the mucous membranes in the mouth, throat and digestive tract, which can make everyday activities like eating or simply swallowing a few sips of water difficult.

Hina had recently shared on her social media account about the side effect of chemotherapy and how she found it very difficult to eat due to mucositis. The Bollywood diva revealed that she was following her doctor's advice for treatment but asked for further recommendations.

Chemotherapy is an effective treatment for treating cancer, but it attacks not only the cancer cells but also healthy tissue, especially that present in your mouth. It can cause feelings such as irritation, frustration, restlessness, guilt, sadness, anger and brooding.

Signs of mucositis that you should not ignore

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Atul Narayankar, consultant medical oncologist at Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai's Mira Road, explained, “Symptoms of mucositis usually appear within 2 to 4 weeks of starting chemotherapy or radiation treatment. The intensity and severity of symptoms may vary from person to person depending on the condition. You may experience various symptoms such as dry and sore mouth, mouth ulcers, mouth infections, bad breath, diarrhea, blood in stools, constipation, stomach cramps, pain while swallowing, excess saliva production, nausea and vomiting. The disease may make you more sensitive to certain foods or drinks, especially those that are hot, spicy or acidic. These signs of mucositis should not be ignored and you should inform your doctor about these symptoms immediately so that he can treat them effectively.”

Sharing his expertise, Dr Balasubramanya KV, HOD and Senior Consultant Periodontist at Sakra World Hospital, Bengaluru, explains, “Mucositis presents with different signs and symptoms depending on the area affected. Oral mucositis typically presents with redness, smoothness and swelling of the mouth and gums, often accompanied by painful ulcers and soft, white patches of pus. Patients may experience thick saliva and dry mouth and have difficulty swallowing, speaking or eating. In more severe cases, bleeding from the mouth and a white mucous coating may occur. On the other hand, gastrointestinal mucositis affects the digestive tract and can cause redness and inflammation of the mucous membrane, leading to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In some cases, the diarrhea may contain blood or mucus and patients may have painful bowel movements, making the condition particularly uncomfortable and difficult to treat.”

Treatment options for mucositis

According to Dr. Atul Narayankar, mucositis can be successfully treated with some medications or therapies prescribed by your doctor. He shared, “He/she may suggest painkillers, over-the-counter pills, tablets, mouthwashes or gels. These mouthwashes can help clean and numb your mouth while providing much-needed relief. If your mucositis affects your intestines, your doctor may suggest some medications to relax your digestive tract while reducing the intensity of the pain, stomach cramps, diarrhea or constipation. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a medical innovation that gives hope to patients with mucositis.”

Treatment options for mucositis mostly focus on pain management, dental hygiene and medical interventions to promote healing and provide relief. Dr. Balasubramanya KV explained:

1. Pain relief: One of the most important aspects of treating mucositis is effective pain control. Local anesthetics such as dyclonine hydrochloride, lidocaine and benzocaine are often used to numb the affected areas. Doctors may recommend Magic Mouthwash, which contains Maalox, diphenhydramine and lidocaine, for mouth discomfort. For mild pain, over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol®) may be helpful; however, more severe pain may require prescription narcotics. To prevent constipation, these stronger medications are usually taken in addition to stool softeners.

2. Oral hygiene: It is important to keep the mouth healthy. Patients should use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-bleaching toothpaste to gently brush their teeth three to four times a day. The sores can be cleaned and soothed by rinsing the mouth frequently, five to six times a day, with salt water or a salt and baking soda solution. It is recommended to avoid spicy, acidic or sugary foods that can irritate the mucous membrane and instead prefer a soft, gentle diet. In addition, maintaining hydration by increasing fluid intake and using lip balm or artificial saliva helps keep the mouth moist.

3. Medical interventions: To treat problems such as malnutrition or dehydration, patients may require medical intervention in extreme cases. If eating becomes too uncomfortable, enteral nutrition – tube feeding – may be necessary. Antibiotics may be recommended to prevent or treat infections that may arise from open wounds or breaks in the mucous membrane associated with mucositis. Intravenous (IV) fluids can help treat dehydration due to recurrent diarrhea.

Remedies for treating mucositis

Mucositis can be a difficult experience for people undergoing cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. Dr. Atul Narayankar advises, “One must prioritize their oral and digestive health and make smart choices. Avoid aggressive brushing or flossing as this can aggravate your symptoms. Use a gentle, soft-bristled toothbrush to reduce the pain while avoiding the risk of oral infection. To improve your health, strictly avoid consuming foods or drinks that can irritate your gut and mouth such as fatty, spicy, hot and acidic foods. Avoid alcohol, especially if you have mucositis as it will aggravate your mouth ulcers and inflammation.”

Tips for preventing mucositis:

Dr. Atul Narayankar recommends: “Eat soft and bland foods that are easy to chew and swallow, drink plenty of fluids and rinse your mouth with warm water.”

Dr. Balasubramanya KV added the following to the list of prevention tips for mucositis:

1. Cryotherapy: The use of ice chips during chemotherapy may help reduce the risk and severity of oral mucositis by minimizing tissue damage.

2. Medications: Palifermin, a synthetic keratinocyte growth factor, protects and repairs mucous membranes and reduces the severity of mucositis in cancer patients. Amifostine, this drug can reduce the risk of oral mucositis, especially in patients undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.

3. Topical protectants: Gels such as Gelclair® and Zilactin® form a protective barrier for the mucous membrane and help prevent irritation caused by cancer treatments.

4. Good oral hygiene: Regular and gentle oral care, such as brushing teeth with soft bristles and using alcohol-free mouthwashes, can reduce the risk of infection and irritation in people prone to mucositis.

5. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is used to relieve pain and speed up the healing process.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.