7 Effective Tips For Bone Marrow Transplant Receivers

Read Time:4 Minute, 3 Second

Bone marrow is a spongy and soft tissue, which is found inside the bones, especially in the thigh bones and hips. They contain “hematopoietic” stem cells. These are immature cells that transform into bone marrow cells. They can also turn into platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells. To live a healthy life, human beings need both red blood and bone marrow cells.

But there are some conditions that can affect the bone marrow, and interrupt its functioning. During such conditions, the physician suggests a bone marrow transplantation to their patients. Bone marrow transplants are also ideal for patients who suffer from blood cancers like sickle cell anaemia, leukaemia, lymphoma, and other types of life-threatening conditions.

Tips For Bone Marrow Transplantation Receivers

If your doctor has suggested a bone marrow transplant, there are some useful tips that are worth checking out. These are:

Gain More Information on Bone Marrow Transplantation

Before you opt for the transplant, it’s crucial to gain some information about it. You need to learn what exactly it is and how it is performed. Gaining more information will increase your confidence level, and you can make a proper decision, especially when it comes to the treatment approach. Bone marrow transplant is conducted in two different ways.

The physician will choose the best way according to your health condition. So, now, let’s learn what these two ways are in detail.

Allogeneic Transplants:Under this procedure, the donor cells are used when the bone marrow cells are damaged completely. The doctor will give you medications to help suppress the immune system and also stop it from attacking all the new cells.
Autologous Transplants:The stem cells of the patient get harvested right before radiation therapy or chemotherapy. But once the chemotherapy or radiation therapy is done, the healthy bone marrow cells get transplanted back into the patient’s body.

Try to Be Patient

Once the bone marrow transplant is complete, you might have to stay at the hospital for some days. Doing so will allow the stem cells to settle properly in the bone marrow and start to develop all the new cells. After the surgery, you may become prone to infections, and it is better to keep yourself a little isolated.

Make Sure to Take Adequate Rest

During the first several weeks after the surgery, you will have low energy levels because of staying at the hospital, medications, and treatment. Once you get discharged, you don’t have to start conducting your regular activities instantly. You should take a good amount of rest as the immune system will take some time to gain back its actual strength.

You must also consume a balanced diet and dairy items, such as soup, yoghurt, milk, etc. All these dairy products contain phosphorus and calcium. You can also consume beans, spinach, dried peas, and roasted almonds.

Keep Yourself Hygienically Clean

After the bone marrow transplantation, a patient’s immune system becomes weak, which increases the chances of infections. So, to prevent such problems, you need to keep yourself clean by washing your hands with warm water and antimicrobial soap. You must also brush your teeth with fluoride paste after every meal. Also, avoid going to crowded locations to prevent respiratory infections.

Consult with the Physician Regularly

You have to monitor all the signs or symptoms of infections. If you experience them, you must speak with the physician without delay. Chills or sweat, shortness of breath, fever, and skin rash are some early signs of infections. You will surely see an improvement in the quality of life, but you must pay a visit to the doctor once or twice every month after the transplant.

Take Supplements

If you’re not feeling like eating due to your weak immune system, you can opt for supplements that are healthy and nutritious. You should take multivitamins each day and make sure that it does not contain iron. For faster recovery, go for beverage supplements.

Do Not Consume Food Products That Can Cause Issues

Since you will have a weak immune system, it will be much better to avoid the following products:

Raw or undercooked meats/fish
Cheese made from unpasteurised milk
Processed foods
Self-serviced or bulk food bins
Raw or undercooked eggs
Unpasteurised milk

Conclusion

Bone marrow transplant is a procedure that is opted for individuals whose bone marrow is not functioning properly due to certain conditions. The procedure is also ideal for people who have blood cancer. Besides that, you should also eat balanced food, avoid raw and uncooked food, and monitor the symptoms of infection. You must also take proper rest after returning from the hospital before you start conducting all your regular activities.