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There are a number of reasons
that eating problems, including loss of hunger and appetite, develop
during cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. There are three general
groups these problems can be broken down into. The psychological trauma
and stress caused by having cancer can be a major cause of decreased
appetite. Chemotherapy’s direct major side effects such as
appetite suppression, loss of hunger, and frequent nausea are the second
reason that problems occur while undergoing cancer treatment. Finally,
cancer of the throat and mouth where food consumption would be
physically hampered is the final reason for difficulty during cancer
treatments. Adequate nutrition is vital to the successful outcome of
treatment meaning all three causes should be monitored closely by the
physician, patient, family and friends.
Extreme emotions of anxiety, depression, anger and fear are normal for
patients during cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. These emotions
are typically present during the treatment of cancer and can all result
in malnutrition since patients can become preoccupied with the cancer
itself as a result of their emotions. It is vital for the physician to
inform the patient of nutrition’s importance during treatment. There are
a few things that contribute to the success or failure of
chemotherapy the way that maintaining proper nutrition in patients
can. Family and friends should intervene when patients do not want to
eat during low emotional states when they are not feeling hungry. One of
the support team’s goals should be encouraging patients to eat regular,
nutritious meals in addition to dealing with the care of their children
through difficult times and handling transportation to treatment. This
becomes increasingly important when patients enter into long periods of
fear or depression when they do not feel like eating.
There are a number of physical factor in
addition to the psychological factors caused by chemotherapy that have
to be overcame in order to maintain proper nutrition. Healthy cells such
as those in the hair and digestive system are affected by both
radiation and chemotherapy since the purpose of those treatments is to
target cells that are rapidly dividing. The two most common side effects
of these treatments are severe nausea and hair loss as a result. The
nausea is temporary and there will times when the patient is physically
unable to keep food down.
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Focus
on the good times and ensure nutritious meals containing large amounts
of carbohydrates, vitamins and protein are eaten during this time. It
may not be possible to have regular meals so trying to have complete,
nutritious meals readily available for when the nausea ends and the
patient has hunger and a good appetite. There are a number of
chemotherapy patients that say mornings are the best time to eat because
it is when the nausea is not as strong. Making a large meal that only
has to be reheated in the morning is the easiest way to prepare for
meals at night ahead of time. Do not expect to eat at the same time
everyone else does instead eat around the periods of nausea.
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Cancer being in a location that prevents eating normally is the final
reason that difficulty with eating is experienced during cancer. The
steps required to ensure proper nutrition is maintained will be guided
by your physician. Eating as varied of a diet as possible will ensure a
wide range of vitamins and minerals are being consumed in addition to
carbohydrates and protein; following the directions carefully is vital.
A major part of the patient’s life will be the cancer
and chemotherapy. The problems associated with diet, eating and
nutrition while undergoing chemotherapy have been documented well and
can be overcome by a good support team and proper care. This includes
planning meals, eating nutritiously when having times without nausua and
having family and friends encourage eating during emotional down
times. Very few things affect the success of the
chemotherapy and cancer treatment as maintaining proper nutrition.
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