Cancer has become a disease that can be cured in many cases, thanks to advances in chemotherapy and radiotherapy, biological treatments and surgical techniques, which, unfortunately, have as side effects gastrointestinal disorders, which affect the nutritional status of the patient, reaching to various forms of malnutrition and even cachexia, according to specialists.
Malnutrition is one of the most common complications of cancer and oncological treatments. Unfortunately, malnutrition is rarely diagnosed and treated, being considered as part of the evolution of the cancer disease, and many oncologists are not familiar with the treatment of this complication.
Oncological treatments, especially chemotherapy, can lead to a change in the sense of taste and, in some cases, to a loss of appetite, the taste of various foods being diminished or profoundly altered. The effects become clinically visible at some point, through weight loss, the reduction of muscle mass and fat deposits, as well as the increased susceptibility of patients to common infections, thus influencing not only their chances of survival, but also their quality of life.
Nutrition specialists recommend that, in the event of loss of appetite, the patient should nevertheless manage to eat the three main meals and be encouraged to have small snacks as well. To improve nutritional status and combat malnutrition, meals that are small in volume but dense in nutrients and served more frequently than usual are recommended. Each dish can be enriched with protein and vitamins, for example by adding nuts to a salad or cubes of cheese, or eggs, butter or cream to soups, according to nutritionists.
Malnutrition occurs as a result of the imbalance between the body’s needs and insufficient nutritional intake, an imbalance that is even more worrying in the case of cancer because the body’s energy needs are increased. Nausea and vomiting are also side effects of chemotherapy and often require appropriate medication to alleviate them. In case of gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux, enteral nutrition, by tube or gastrostomy, may be needed to alleviate these unpleasant sensations.
Diarrhea and constipation are common complications of both chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments. These are also reported by patients under enteral nutrition. In this situation, the causes of diarrhea can be diverse: the flow of nutrient solution is too high, the type of solutions administered or the possible use of laxatives or antibiotics.
In an article on this topic, doctor Laura Davidescu, editorial director of the health weekly “Viata Medicală”, recommends that oncology patients seek the help of a licensed nutritionist or dietician, for an evaluation of the nutritional status and the establishment of an individualized diet. If the patient does not manage to ensure the necessary macro and micronutrients from ordinary foods, the specialist will prescribe the administration of special foods, to make up for the nutritional deficiencies.
Side effects can persist even after the end of oncological treatments, in which case the doctor can prescribe the continuation of the supplementation of some macro and micronutrients, until the patient can resume his normal diet. (I. M.)
2023-09-06 17:05:35
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