Recovery after brain tumor removal

When talking about a brain tumor, this concept includes all neoplasms that appear inside the cranium. It can be both benign and malignant formations that develop due to the pathological development of organ cells. Treatment depends on the diagnosed disease. The rehabilitation process takes place using a set of measures aimed at the speedy recovery of the patient.

After brain tumor removal

Therapy of formations inside the cranium depends on the type of diagnosed disease. Tumors are divided into two main types:

1. A benign formation that develops slowly and only up to a certain size. For growth, it uses the tissue of the organ where it appeared. Neighboring organs do not suffer and their tissues remain healthy. Distinctive feature - no metastases
2. Formations of a malignant type are formed in one place, but quickly begin to occupy neighboring tissues, growing into them. A distinctive feature is the appearance and spread of metastases that are difficult to remove.

When making a diagnosis, a method for the subsequent elimination of the disease is determined, as far as possible. Today, the following types of therapeutic measures are used in medicine to remove education in the brain:

• chemicals that affect the tumor from the inside. They destroy the affected reborn cells of the disease. The process of chemotherapy is complex and not for everyone;
• beam processing. Due to the increased sensitivity of the affected cells to radioactive radiation, it is possible to successfully carry out the fight;
• surgery. The cranium is opened, and the tumor body is physically resected. It can be removed completely, if possible, in part, due to metastases or the danger of injury to other parts of the GM. If necessary, the neoplasm is excised in two stages. There are also surgical interventions that can only alleviate the condition;
• radiosurgical procedures. Two types of events are used: gamma knife and cyber knife. The procedure is reduced to irradiation of the source of the disease in different ways of directing radiation.

After removal of a brain tumor, the treatment process does not end, but continues in the form of a rehabilitation period. And at this stage, it is important to help the patient in restoring the functions that have been lost, so that in everyday life a person can be independent of others and do not need their help.

The sooner rehabilitation begins, the more likely the patient is to return to society and be on an equal footing with everyone. Not always the brain tumor disappears completely after the operation. If a disease of a malignant type is diagnosed in the skull, then metastases will continue to destroy the organs, building up a new lump. In this case, every effort should be made to alleviate the patient's condition and slow down the growth of cancerous tissues.

Rehabilitation after removal of a cancerous tumor of the GM is carried out under the supervision of a group of doctors, consisting of highly specialized specialists:

• surgeon;
• chemotherapist;
• psychologist;
• radiologist;
• doctors responsible for conducting physiotherapy procedures;
• speech therapist;
• nurses if the patient is in the oncology department of the hospital.

The duration of the recovery period is from 3 to 4 months. The duration is determined by the type of education, the complexity of the treatment and the patient's condition.

Appointment of the recovery period

In the postoperative period, everyone involved in the patient care process should understand what the challenges are during the recovery period, what is expected at the end of rehabilitation.

It is expected that the patient after passing all the measures prescribed after manipulations to remove the formation in the GM:

1. the patient will cope with the consequences that inevitably appear after surgery or exposure from the inside. The patient's lifestyle changes;
2. restore, if possible, the functions lost due to the negative impact of the tumor on the brain regions;
3. learn skills lost due to illness.

A program aimed at the recovery and return of the patient to life in society is compiled for each individual. Goals that need to be achieved in the near future are set, tasks for a longer period are set. As a rule, in a short time, the patient should learn simple functions and be able to serve himself independently: get up, walk, toilet, shower.

Thanks to the division of the recovery process into conditional stages, it allows you to say how successful the postoperative period is. Brain damage is a complex disease and the period after it is difficult for the patient himself and for those who are nearby. Therefore, in the team of doctors there is a psychologist who works with all those involved in the process.

Therapy of the disease also takes place after the main procedures for resection or irradiation of the tumor in the head. The doctor prescribes medications aimed at maintaining the state of health and the duration of the effect of manipulations. To prevent the growth of new pathological cells, the following medications are prescribed:

• Temozolid. A drug that has a special composition that can negatively affect the synthesis process that occurs in cancer cells. As a result, they lose the ability to divide, which means that their growth stops and the tumor does not increase. But after taking it, side effects develop. The patient has nausea, vomiting, gets tired quickly, constantly wants to sleep;
• Carmustine, lomustine. These are preparations containing derivatives of nitroureas. They negatively affect the DNA molecules of the tumor cell, breaking and significantly slowing down growth. Impacts are made only on certain affected cells. Reception is carried out under the supervision of a doctor. If the dose of the drug exceeds the permissible norm, then an exacerbation of the disease and the appearance of a secondary cancerous tumor are possible.

During the rehabilitation period of cancer patients, antioxidants and neuroprotective agents are taken.

It is strictly forbidden after carrying out measures to remove the tumor-like body from the brain, to perform the following movements:

• Consumption of alcoholic beverages. This prohibition is valid for a long time until the full restoration of all body functions;
• Air travel within the next 90 days;
• Active sports where there is a danger of injuring the head;
• Bath, sauna, solarium. Places that provoke a rise in body temperature and acceleration of blood flow;
• Fast run. Doctors recommend the practice of walking, which has a more positive effect on the cardiovascular system;
• Rest in a sanatorium. The ban depends on the selected climate zone;
• Take a tan. Irradiation of the body with ultraviolet light can provoke the growth of new pathogenic cells;
• Procedures with the use of therapeutic mud;
• Vitamin complexes with a high content of vitamin B.

Physiotherapy procedures

The rehabilitation process after removal of a brain tumor at home is faster. The patient feels more comfortable.

Physiotherapy is aimed at eliminating the symptoms that occur after intervention in the organ.

If there is a weakening of the motor function of the limbs, then myostimulation is used to restore them. This procedure is associated with an electrical effect on the muscular apparatus. More blood flows to the muscles, contractile function improves. Under the action of the current, nerve impulses are accelerated, and the process of regeneration starts in the nervous tissue. The use of myostimulation allows you to stop the process of muscle atrophy, accelerate metabolic processes in tissues, and normalize impaired blood supply.

If the patient feels pain and there is swelling at the site of the operation, then magnetotherapy is used. The brain is affected by low-frequency impulses. As a result, blood vessels better supply tissues with oxygen and nutrients. The procedure promotes the absorption of protein compounds, controls the amount of hormones produced. Damaged tissues recover faster, and the pain gradually disappears.

Massage and exercise therapy

External influence on the human body through massage helps to normalize blood circulation in damaged tissues, which significantly accelerates their regeneration. During the massage, muscle sensitivity increases, tone increases, the structure of damaged tissues becomes better.

Conducting one session will not give a result, you need to take a course to see the positive effect of the procedure. At first, massage manipulations are carried out under the supervision of doctors.

As for physiotherapy exercises or exercise therapy, its implementation is indicated not only in the postoperative period. Preparation for the intervention includes physical activity that helps to improve the condition of the muscular apparatus, increase tone. Also improve the functioning of the heart and blood vessels. During exercise, the respiratory system is trained.

Physiotherapy exercises carried out in the postoperative period are aimed at restoring the main functions of the human body: reflexes and skills.

The initial stage of the rehabilitation period includes passive loads, when limb movements are performed with the help of another person. Recommend breathing exercises if the patient's condition allows for exercises. As a result of respiratory stress, the risk of complications caused by insufficient oxygen supply to the brain tissue is reduced.

When the patient's condition allows, the list of power loads and the duration of physical education are increased. Go to the stage of passive-active mode. During this period, the patient is transferred from the intensive care unit. The patient's condition is monitored, when it becomes stable, they move on to exercises aimed at trying to get out of bed and restoring the function of walking. This skill was lost during the illness and walking lessons begin for the patient, where he learns to rearrange his legs and keep upright.

Simultaneously with walking, the patient learns to sit down and perform exercises in this position. Every time you plan to move on to the following types of exercises and increase loads, you need to look at the person’s condition, to what extent his health allows further recovery measures. When the patient's health improves and allows for increased physical activity, the motor activity is expanded, the restoration of walking becomes the main point of the rehabilitation program.

Additional subjects are introduced into the course to complicate motor functions. Balls, dumbbells, other weights are used. It is important to carry out physical therapy without the manifestation of pain. The patient should only feel tired. If a pain syndrome appears, then the exercise is stopped until the discomfort passes. The program of rehabilitation and restoration of the physical capabilities of the human body consists of small stages and specific goals. By setting minimum goals, the patient's motivation to achieve it improves. As a result of gradual progress, huge results are achieved in a relatively short period of time.

After surgery on the brain, the risk of a secondary occurrence of the disease remains. Therefore, rehabilitation should begin as soon as possible. The patient has a long way to recover from primitive skills to complex functions in order to be able to return to society as a relatively complete person. It is important to properly conduct the recovery program and support loved ones caring for the sick.