About Oral Mucositis
Q: What is Oral Mucositis?
A: Oral mucositis (OM) is a painful side effect of some cancer
therapies that is under estimated and under treated. It is an
irritation inside the mouth affecting the lining of the mouth and
tongue. The hallmark of oral mucositis is pain, as these regions
become red, swollen and covered in ulcers. For more information,
visit the About
Oral Mucositis page.
Q: Who is at risk for Oral Mucositis:
A: Many cancer patients are at risk for oral mucositis,
especially patients treated with radiation therapy and
chemotherapy. Oral mucositis impacts nearly all patients undergoing
radiation therapy for head and neck cancer,3 75% to 85%
of bone marrow transplant recipients 4 and approximately
40% of patients receiving chemotherapy.5
Q: Why should I treat my Oral Mucositis?
A: The most important reason to treat oral mucositis is that
many people develop OM so severely that it interferes with cancer
treatment. This could ultimately influence the success of the
cancer therapy. It is important to start managing oral mucositis at
the start of cancer therapy because damage to the lining of the
mouth begins on the first day of cancer therapy.
Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor
I am receiving cancer treatment and I am experiencing
oral discomfort
Consulting your healthcare professional is the most important step
you can take in your search for effective relief. Although there
are a variety of treatment options available, only your doctor can
determine which is best for you.
Help your doctor assess your situation by being prepared to share
particulars about your oral discomfort. This will be invaluable to
your doctor in suggesting the best treatment. Ask your doctor about
adding Caphosol as part of your treatment program.
Some questions you could focus on in describing your
situation:
Do you have oral pain? If yes, when and how often does this
occur? Where in your mouth (lips, back of the mouth, tongue etc.)
is the discomfort the greatest?
Do you have difficulties eating due to your mouth sores or dry
mouth?
Do you experience alteration in your taste sensation?
Do you have difficulty speaking?
Do you believe your oral discomfort is causing other health
related problems (fatigue, sleeping disorder, lack of
nutrition)?
If you have received medication for your oral discomfort, is
this medication as effective as you would like?
I have chronic dry mouth and I want to ask my doctor or
nurse if Caphosol may be right for me.
There are an increasing variety of treatment options available
for dry mouth. Only your doctor can determine which is best for
you. Sharing information about how you are feeling with your doctor
will help determine the most effective option.
Some questions you could focus on in describing your
situation:
Do you have difficulties eating due to your dry mouth?
Do you sometimes have difficulties speaking due to your dry
mouth?
Do you wake up at night due to your dry mouth?
Have you had problems with tooth decay after suffering from
chronic dry mouth?
If you have received medication for your dry mouth, is this
medication as effective as you would like?
If your doctor has not heard about Caphosol, you may reference
www.caphosol.com or print out the prescribing
information and bring it to your next doctor's visit.