Eating well

Everyone is aware of the saying ‘you are what you eat’ and for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) it is vitally important to pay attention to pursuing as healthy a diet as possible as good nutrition can help to prevent clots. Dr Maria L. Collazo-Clavell of the Mayo Clinic MD (Medical Doctor) contributed these nutrition…

Staying active

Patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) may feel that exercise and staying active is the last thing that they want to do, especially with the extreme fatigue reported by up to 80% of MPN patients. However medical carers in this field have observed that staying active keeps you mobile, improves circulation and reduces fatigue.Here are some…

Reflexology and massage therapy

Reflexology and massage therapy are two complementary therapies that have been used by some patients with a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) to alleviate some of the side effects that may accompany living with a chronic illness; pain, fatigue, low mood, stress, circulatory problems etc. Massage therapy Used for centuries, this is a system of treatment that…

Complementary therapies

There is no universal definition of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM), and there are sometimes misunderstandings over what complementary therapies actually are and the distinct differences with alternative therapies. From a medical view point complementary therapies are any treatments that run alongside conventional treatments for people with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), whilst alternative therapies is usually…

Reducing pain and symptoms – palliative care

What is palliative care? Palliative care (from the Latin term “to cloak”) is any form of medical care or treatment that concentrates on reducing the severity of disease symptoms, rather than striving to halt, delay, or reverse progression of the disease itself or provide a cure. Patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNS), may at some point…

Reducing stress

Why reduce stress? In modern societies many people prioritise work and productivity, sometimes at the expense of caring for their overall health. This can causes us to experience stress. What’s more, chronic illness can exacerbate these stresses and make us feel overwhelmed. In patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) it’s important to aim for a balanced…

Hospice care

The hospice care philosophy sees death as a normal part of living. Hospice services help a dying person to be comfortable during his or her last days or hours. Hospice care is an approach that sees death as a natural part of life and does not seek to prolong life or death. Hospice services also support…

End-of-life

In some cases for myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) patients, the time will come when you may wish to take stock as treatment becomes less effective. Sometimes there aren’t always easy answers when it comes to treating MPNs. If you or a friend or family member is diagnosed with advanced stages of myelofibrosis (MF) or has developed…

After a serious clot

If you’ve experienced a blood clot, treatment and support can help. Many people with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) experience clots. Clots can affect people with any type of MPN at any age. Clots can also occur in many different blood vessels in the body. What causes clots? Clots occur in people with MPNs because their blood…