Cancer Nutrition
Fatigue
is one of the most common symptoms reported by people living
with cancer. There are many reasons why: Personal worries
and stress over one's illness, weight and muscle loss, fever,
infection. Also, cancer treatments contribute to fatigue.
Chemotherapy
often carries side effects such as anemia, nausea, vomiting
and diarrhea, all of which contribute to loss of energy,
electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium and magnesium),
body water and weight.
Many
times these symptoms last beyond the treatment period Radiation
therapy usually causes fatigue, which seems to increase
over the course of treatment and can last months after treatment.
Surgery can lead to fatigue due to the tissue damage, pain
medicines and immobility required for recovery.
It's
easy to see how cancer-related fatigue can cause a great
deal of disruption in one's diet and overall nutritional
status. Grocery shopping, meal preparation and most importantly,
eating, are no longer routine activities, but rather chores.
It is likely easier to nibble on whatever is around (whether
nutritious or not), or just not eat at all.
Follow these steps:
If
you're living with cancer-related fatigue, these steps can
help you maintain or improve your nutritional status. •
* If you are suffering with treatment side effects such
as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, talk with your doctor and
pharmacist to get medicine that will control these problems.
These medicines are very effective and can help make such
symptoms bearable. Also, if you are currently taking such
medicine yet are without relief, work with your health care
team to find an alternative that works.
* Drink plenty of fluids. Cancer treatments cause cancer
cell destruction which in turn, cause breakdown products
to build up in the body. These products can contribute to
fatigue. Drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water or fluid
(or more) helps the body rid itself of these breakdown products
and also keeps hydration where it should be. Avoid caffeinated
beverages that act as diuretics and not as good fluid sources.
* Let a family member or friend grocery shop. Try to plan
meals as much as possible and make out lists for items needed.
Keep in mind that it is okay to let others help. Most people
are glad to offer their time. • Always take advantage of
up times. If you have the most energy in the morning, try
to eat a good breakfast or brunch and set aside healthy
snacks (see below) to grab later.
* If cooking is too much, have someone else cook, or take
advantage of the variety of healthier frozen dinners available
today. Look for dinners with less sodium and fat, and avoid
fried foods. •
* Some people have more energy at times such as weekends
and can batch cook, freezing portions for later quick and
easy dining.
* Don't feel the need to eat the standard 3 meals a day.
Eating small nutritious snacks throughout the day works
better for those who don't have the energy to cook or sit
down for regular meals. Healthier snacks such as trail mix
(dried fruits and peanuts and sunflower seeds), peanut butter
and crackers, low fat cheese cubes, grapes or apples (easy
to eat fruit), and small individual low fat yogurts should
be kept on hand so you can avoid the temptation to skip
eating.
Angstrom Minerals Product And Price List
The information on this page has been extracted from http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/cancer-patients/support/nutrition/fight/
