Home Remedies For Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Home remedies and lifestyle changes can help improve symptoms of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), overall health and mental and physical fitness. One of the main problems in myelodysplastic syndrome is the low blood count therefore, these patients have anemia, prone to infections and have bleeding problems. Other than that, there are side effects from the chemotherapy drugs and most patients are anxious and stressed out. The main goal of home remedies and lifestyle changes are to address these issues and reduce them as much as possible.

• Diet can have a big impact on all aspects and improve many symptoms and overall health.
• An Anti-Inflammatory Diet Rich With Anti-Oxidants
• An anti-inflammatory diet with high antioxidants would help to boost up your immune system and prevent recurrent infections.
• This kind of diet includes an ample amount of organic fruits and vegetables which you need to be consumed after preparing hygienically.
• Have whole-grain food; avoid refined and processed carbohydrates (sugar, chips).
• Have more plant protein and fish and reduce animal protein and dairy as much as possible. The proteins in animal products can induce an inflammatory reaction in the body. Increase the fiber in your diet by including more fruits, vegetables, and whole grain.
• Avoid food containing saturated fat such as butter, cheese, milk, meat and food containing trans-fat such as chips, baked goods.
• Avoid all processed food, alcohol, smoking and caffeine.
• Reduce food with high iron content (green leafy vegetables) if you are diagnosed with iron overload and on treatment.
• Get advice and detailed dietary plan from a dietician as the calorie intake is important in myelodysplastic syndrome.⁽¹⁾

If you have very low WBC counts with low neutrophils, the following diet may help you.

• Avoid aged cheese
• Avoid eating raw, undercooked and unpasteurized food at all times.
• Avoid eating from open buffets and crowded areas
• Wash and peel fruits and vegetables before raw eating. Avoid raw nuts and other raw food.
• Boil water before drinking⁽²⁾

Exercises have many benefits for myelodysplastic syndrome patients; it boosts up your immunity, improves physical and mental fitness, reduces stress and anxiety and overall makes you healthy and happy. Speak with your doctor and choose a suitable exercise plan for you and make the necessary adjustments with time. Initially, you might feel tired and difficult, but these improve with time and your tolerance increase.

• With low WBC counts and a weak immune system, you are more prone to infections. Even the common flu or upper respiratory tract infection can progress into pneumonia; therefore, it is important you take measure to prevent infections.
• Wash your hands thoroughly – this is one of the important and simple measures that can prevent many infections. You can use a hand sanitizer if you cannot regularly wash your hands after touching surfaces. Avoid touching your face and other areas after touching other surfaces.
• Avoid crowded areas, people with the common cold, flu and public areas as much as possible. If you are going to these places wear a face mask to protect yourself.
• Clean your home, workplace, and surfaces you come into touch often.⁽³⁾

There can be spontaneous bleeding and bleeding from a small injury can be massive. It is important you go to a hospital if you experience bleeding that is difficult to stop. Put tight pressure on your injury until you reach the hospital. You should inform about this to your doctor treating myelodysplastic syndrome.

Home remedies and lifestyle changes can reduce some of your symptoms associated with myelodysplastic syndrome and treatment, strengthen your immune system, elevate body’s natural healing mechanisms thereby reduce the risk of infection, and improve your overall mental and physical health. Have an anti-inflammatory diet high in anti-oxidants which include lots of organic fruits, vegetables, plant protein, and whole grain food. Avoid animal meat, refined carbohydrates, saturated and trans-fat, processed food and dairy. Do regular exercises which will reduce your stress and improve physical fitness. Take necessary measures to prevent infection such as washing hands, avoid crowded areas and maintain a good personal hygienic status.

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Also Read:

• How Do Myelodysplastic Syndrome Patients Die?
• How Long Can You Live With Myelodysplastic Syndrome?
• Is Myelodysplastic Syndrome A Fatal Disease?
• Recovery Period For Myelodysplastic Syndrome
• What Are Early Signs Of Myelodysplastic Syndrome?
• What To Eat & Avoid When You Have A Myelodysplastic Syndrome?