Certain medications and lifestyle changes may help manage coughing, breathlessness, pain, and other symptoms of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Treating the cancer directly may help ease some symptoms. Your doctor can also recommend treatments and steps you can take to relieve lung cancer symptoms.

Read on to learn more about ways to relieve symptoms of NSCLC, including lifestyle changes and medications your doctor may recommend.

Some people with lung cancer may experience pain.

If you experience pain with NSCLC, your doctor can recommend pain relief medication. While you can take many pain relievers by mouth, some pain relief medication is available as an injection or a patch.

If your cancer has spread to your bones, your doctor may prescribe medications specifically to target bone pain.

To help manage coughing with NSCLC, your doctor may recommend oral medications such as codeine or morphine.

You can also inhale some medications as a vapor.

Inhaling a saline mixture through a nebulizer can help loosen any phlegm that occurs with the cough.

Learn more about lung cancer coughs.

Breathlessness or shortness of breath is common in people with lung cancer.

Some techniques that may help manage breathlessness include:

Your doctor may also recommend medications for breathlessness, such as:

  • bronchodilators to widen your airways
  • morphine
  • anti-anxiety drugs
  • diuretics

Oxygen therapy may be beneficial in severe cases.

Pleural effusion, or fluid buildup in the lining of the lungs, may also cause shortness of breath. If this is the case, your doctor may recommend draining the fluid.

You may experience tiredness or fatigue if you have NSCLC, particularly if the cancer is advanced.

Steps that may help you manage tiredness with lung cancer include:

  • resting regularly throughout the day
  • taking naps during the day, but for no longer than 20 to 30 minutes
  • engaging in gentle exercise or physical activity if you feel able
  • dedicating some time to relaxing before you go to bed
  • going to bed at the same time every day
  • avoiding caffeine and alcohol at least 6 hours before bed
  • eating something small before bed to avoid hunger affecting your sleep

A short course of steroids may help reduce fatigue temporarily.

If anemia is contributing to tiredness, your doctor may recommend transfusions or other treatments to directly address the anemia.

Speak with your doctor if you are regularly experiencing fatigue or tiredness. Your doctor can help determine if there is another underlying cause.

Lung cancer commonly causes weight loss. This may be due to a loss of appetite or an inability to absorb enough food.

Tips for managing weight loss and a loss of appetite include:

  • eating smaller meals more frequently rather than fewer larger meals
  • keeping snacks nearby so you can have something to eat when you feel hungry
  • add cream, butter, or full-fat milk to meals where possible
  • consume softer foods if swallowing problems are making it difficult to eat

It’s important to speak with your doctor or a registered dietitian if you experience weight loss or loss of appetite. They can help you create an eating plan based on your dietary requirements.

Lung cancer can cause symptoms such as dry skin, rashes, and peeling.

Steps that may help manage skin changes with NSCLC include:

  • using gentle skin care products, such as those containing aloe or lanolin
  • protecting your skin from the sun, such as by:
    • limiting time outdoors
    • covering your skin with long clothing
    • using sunscreen
  • avoiding applying products to your skin directly before radiation treatment

NSCLC can cause a range of other symptoms, such as:

  • hoarseness
  • constipation
  • swelling
  • coughing up blood

You may experience new or worsening symptoms if the cancer advances.

It’s important to let your doctor know about any symptoms you are experiencing. They can provide information about ways to manage specific symptoms, as well as plan a suitable treatment for NSCLC.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can cause a range of symptoms. While treating the cancer may help ease some symptoms, you can also take steps to directly address specific symptoms.

For example, some medications may help manage pain and coughing. Certain drugs, breathing exercises, and avoiding smoking can help with breathlessness.

To manage tiredness, resting throughout the day and taking steps to get enough quality sleep at night can help.

If you experience a loss of appetite and weight loss, consuming smaller meals more frequently and speaking with a dietitian can help.

Using gentle skin care products and protecting from the sun can help manage skin changes.

Let your doctor know about any NSCLC symptoms you are experiencing. They can provide more guidance on medical treatments and home remedies that may help with managing them.,