Weight loss from cancer?

• April 19, 2024

The people who suffer Cancer They must face a common but serious problem, weight loss. Known as cachexia, it can cause the body to burn more calories than normal due to the presence of a cancerous tumor or for the same treatment for Cancer .

In addition to causing extreme malnutrition and anemia, it can cause muscle atrophy, fatigue, weakness, diarrhea and lack of sleep. Likewise, due to the lack of defenses of the organism, it can be a factor of other diseases that attack the immune system.

Therefore, in addition to taking an adequate treatment against Cancer , the advice of a nutritionist is essential to establish a comprehensive plan of nutrition that helps prevent weight loss.

However, because many of the patients treated by a cancerous tumor They do not identify the gradual loss of weight or think they are normal side effects of their therapies, they overlook this problem that has serious consequences.

To treat and minimize cachexia, according to the Pancreatic Cancer Actios Network, It is recommended to take a series of measures, previously consulted with a specialist, among which are:

1. Rest properly.
2. Perform between 5 and 6 meals a day (including snacks)
3. Avoid foods that accentuate diarrhea and with poor nutritional value.
4. Eat food supplements (check with the specialist).
5. Hydrate every day.
6. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
7. Eat foods rich in calories.
8. Include in the diet medium triglyceride oils, which the body can absorb quickly, such as coconut oil, palm kernel and butter.

Cachexia can also be treated with medications and the use of pancreatic enzymes, which must be prescribed by a professional who determines the best way to use them.

The most important thing when you suffer from cachexia or weight loss associated with Cancer, is to improve the quality of life of the patient to prevent future complications and better functionality of the treatment against the same Cancer .

Video Medicine: Weight Loss After Breast Cancer - Mayo Clinic (April 2024).