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How To Keep Going with Erectile Dysfunction: Causes and Treatments

How To Keep Going with Erectile Dysfunction: Causes and Treatments

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Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a hard topic for many because it can be awkward to both experience and talk about it. However, it’s very common, especially among those who are above 40, and you’re not alone. Also, the details related to erectile dysfunctionalities are very direct so let’s jump straight into the facts. 

What is Erectile Dysfunction?

You have an erectile dysfunction when: 

  • You’re unable to get an erection. 
  • You’re unable to keep an erection for long. 
  • Your sexual desire has reduced. 

Usually, during sexual arousal, nerves release chemicals that direct blood flow to the penis. And it’s led into the soft muscular tissues. During an erection, the muscles relax and trap the blood flow. While the increased blood pressure in your penis chambers cause an erection. Therefore, your erection is a reflection of the blood level entering and exiting your penis. Any interruption in this process leads to erectile dysfunction. 

Erectile dysfunctionalities are nothing to worry about unless you’re experiencing on the regular.  

Erectile Dysfunction Causes

Usually, ED happens due to stress, tiredness and/or when you’ve had too much to drink. At times, it can even be a side effect for medications. 

However, if it happens regularly, it can be due to one of the following conditions. 

  • High blood sugar
  • அதிக இரெத்த அழுத்தம்
  • Cardiovascular diseases 
  • High cholesterol 
  • Smoking
  • Consuming lots of drugs or alcohol 
  • அதீத உடல் பருமன் 
  • Lack of physical exercises 
  • Psychological issues such as anxiety, depression or extreme stress levels 
  • Hormonal changes

Erectile Dysfunction Complications

Since regular erectile dysfunction can be a symptom of a concerning (yet treatable) health condition, always take it as a sign to see your doctor. Failing to do so, can lead to many adverse situations such as: 

  • Worsening of any concerning health condition causing ED 
  • Loss of self esteem
  • Relationship problems
  • Unstable mental health 

To avoid any discomfort or serious developments, talk to a general practitioner.

Erectile Dysfunction Causes​

Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosis

If you find it embarrassing to have this conversation, remember it’s very normal to feel that way and a lot of people face it. In that case, oDoc consultations are perfect. It can be done via a video call and our highly professional team of doctors will make the experience feel like a breeze. 

Generally, the doctor would ask you a set of questions to understand the risk factors and where your health stands. Therefore, expect health history questions related to: 

  1. Use of prescription-drugs, over-the-counter drugs or supplements
  2. Use of any recreational drugs
  3. Consumption of alcohol
  4. Smoking habits
  5. Surgeries or radiation therapies surrounding the pelvic area
  6. Urinary problems
  7. Other treated and untreated health issues 

Besides that, they would also ask you questions related to your patter of erectile dysfunction like: 

  1. The frequency of the symptoms
  2. On how firm your penis during erections
  3. On any difficulty related to penetration
  4. Any problems with arousal or ejaculation 
  5. Satisfaction with your sex drive 
  6. Waking up or going to bed with erections 
  7. Discomfort or changes related to erections 

It’s imperative to choose a doctor who makes you feel safe and confident while assessing you. Therefore, ODoc always ensures to have the best healthcare professionals in terms of services and conduct to provide you the best medical care via your phone. Therefore, providing you with comfort at the best. 

After assessing your answers, your doctor may lead you to get blood tests, urinary samples, and other tests such as advanced erectile function tests to help diagnose.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatment

Depending on the cause of ED, your treatment will differ. It usually consists of taking your heart and vascular health along with lifestyle changes. In some cases, treatments include oral drugs, testosterone therapies, penile injections, intraurethral medication, vacuum erection devices, implants and surgeries. 

To avoid any complications with your treatment, take good care of your health, always. By eating well, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight for your body, avoiding smoking and reducing the consumption of alcohol and any recreational drugs. And always take the early signs seriously and consult your doctor at the earliest. With oDoc, it’s convenient, efficient and you get the best medical service in the country. Download oDoc here. 

Sources:

  • WebMD
  • Mayo Clinic
  • Urology Health

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Menopause Brain Fog is real: A Simple Guide with Symptoms and Treatment

Menopause Brain Fog is real: A Simple Guide with Symptoms and Treatment

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Women in their 40s and 50s who are just entering the end of their menstrual cycle and the beginning of the menopause phase, watch out for brain fog. In Sri Lanka, menopauses kick in at around the age of 51. 

According to a study on cognition, Women in the last period cycle begin to score low on memory, motor function and attention. When menopause happens, it’s very normal to forget things. For instance, you will enter a room and wonder why. Your mind goes much in the middle of a conversation. Remembering simple things can start to become a task. The symptoms for menopause differ from one person to another, some women face night sweats, others weight gain or even a combination. 

Regardless, brain fog is quite a common visitor in the early days of menopause.

What is Brain Fog

What is Brain Fog?

Some call it ‘mental fatigue’. It’s a collection of cognitive symptoms such as forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, inability to think clearly or problem solve, and confusion. 

But why? Scientists believe that hormonal changes have a part to play. So the levels of Estrogen, progesterone, follicles stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone are most likely the ones affecting your cognition. Perimenopause lasts for about four years, which means during that you’re your hormones can be a little unpredictable.  

Brain Fog Symptoms

Memory issues: Forgetfulness and can’t remember simple things.

Lack of clarity: Can get easily confused.

Poor concentration: The ability to zone out during important conversations and being distracted around the clock.

Inability to focus: Skills and tasks that require complete focus can struggle. For instance, like driving or carrying out a physical activity can get difficult.

Brain Fog Diagnosis

It can be normal for adults to shrug off these signs of brain fog as a part of aging and move on. That’s a terrible mistake.

 Firstly, age is just a number and doing your best to stay healthy is always equally important. So, if you feel you may have brain fog or even other symptoms of menopause hindering your day-to-day, consult a doctor as soon as possible. 

With oDoc, the task is simpler than you can imagine. All you need to do is schedule a call via the app and one of our highly credible doctors will help you out. Take a few minutes out of your day to get your assessment done and you will be on a healthy path. 

Even if it’s not menopause brain fog, you can find out what else is causing your mental fatigue. It could be depression or even an early symptom for dementia or Alzheimer. That can be scary but it can be contained or managed if it’s diagnosed at its early stages. 

Brain Fog Treatment

Generally, brain fog fades away with time. However, it can get severe by making you neglect your daily functions or forgetting familiar aspects of life. 

In that case, your doctor may direct you towards menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). It means you will be given low-dose estrogen or a mix of estrogen and progestin. This treatment focuses on many menopausal symptoms, not just brain fog. 

However, long -term use of estrogen comes with the risk of chronic diseases such as breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, and others. Therefore, always check with your doctor on how to avoid it and NEVER self-prescribe.

Brain Fog Prevention & Care

Any phase in life requires great care for health and well-being. Therefore, it’s of high importance to continue them to avoid health issues such as menopause brain fog. 

Stay physically active: Try a combination of cardiovascular activities and strength training. You can do cardio 30 minutes a day and have at least eight weightlifting exercises planned twice a week. 

Incorporate a healthy diet: Avoid low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and consume more whole foods and healthy fat. Generally, it’s suggested to have a Mediterranean diet as it’s rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. 

Exercise your mind: Boost brain health by taking up a new hobby or challenging yourself with a cognitive task. 

Minimise stress: Make changes to bring down the stress level with meditation, yoga and regular breaks. 

Get enough sleep: Stick to a schedule as much as you can. Incorporate less screen time, heavy meals and caffeine before bedtime. 

If you need more clarification on diagnosing and/or preventing menopause brain fog, remember your doctor is only a call away. Download the oDoc app here: 

 

Sources:

  • Healthline
  • CDC

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Moisturizers and Hydrators aren’t the Same Thing—Here’s Why

Moisturizers and Hydrators aren’t the Same Thing—Here’s Why

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Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it needs a lot of water to function smoothly. And when it doesn’t, you are affected by a slew of health concerns. In addition to that, your skin starts to look dry, parched and dull.

 To internally nourish your skin, your diet will have to improve with lots of water and gut-health friendly foods. In addition to that, a good skincare routine is key. On the topic of skincare and hydration, people often assume hydrators and moisturizers to do the same function. In reality, they are both different products. In this article, we will list their key differences and present you with a few recommendations.

Moisturizers Vs. Hydrators—the key difference

Both the products help to keep your skin plumped and prevent dehydration. 

SCIENCE BEHIND DEHYDRATED SKIN: When your skin’s natural protective barrier is adequately hydrated, our skin is protected against the harmful effects of external threats like pollution, bacteria, and mold. Also, the water content in the cells allows the skin to expand, plump, bounce back into form, and glow from the within. So, when there isn’t enough hydration locked around the skin barrier and within the cells, your skin becomes dry and irritated.

So how do these two products help to keep your skin hydrated?

Hydrators infuse your skin cells with water and improve the moisture content of your skin and its protective barrier. However, moisturizers don’t fill your skin with water, instead they work to lock the skin cells with the moisture that’s already present in your skin. These are two different ways of hydrating your skin. 

When to use Hydrators?

If your skin visibly feels dry and dehydrated, consider using a hydrator as they come with humectants that can attract water from the environment. Dehydrated skin looks dry, dull, and has fine lines and wrinkles. Also, it’s patchy and prone to itching. 

An important thing to know is being aware of your skin type. This way, you will be treating the right problem and not getting anything that will damage your skin composition. 

 

For instance, having natural dry skin and dehydrated skin are two different things. The latter is a condition when the skin cells run out of water. And some people naturally have dry skin, in that case, a hydrator alone isn’t the solution. So, how can you tell if your skin is dehydrated or just dry in its true nature? Dehydrated skin is often dull and flaky, that’s how you know. 

Using Hydrators for the skin

Hydrator Recommendations

Picture of Hydrators

According to dermatologists, some of the best hydrating ingredients for dehydrated skin are hyaluronic acid, squalene, snail mucin, ceramides and glycerin. Even lactic acid and citric acid are considered as hydrators. 

For the everyday glow, look for products with the best mix of hydrating ingredients including glycerin. Also, test out products with snail mucin as they are proven to give glass-like skin and this is one of K-beauty’s favourite ingredients.

On that note, if your skin type is sensitive or acne-prone, look for suitable hydrating serums for face creams. Usually water-based hydrators work effectively with sensitive or oily skin. 

There are water-based serums with glycerin to hydrate along with soothing ingredients such as jojoba and aloe. In addition to that, there are also other lightweight hydrator options that are packed with ceramides, so they can drench your skin while supporting your skin barrier. 

When to use moisturizers?

Moisturizers are oil-based products that will lock in the moisture into your skin, which is needed for that seamless hydrated look. So, if your skin is normal but isn’t plump or bright enough, you absolutely need to incorporate a moisturizer. 

Unlike the hydrators that are advised to use if your skin is very dehydrated and dry, using a moisturizer is key for any skin type. Even if your skin is completely fine, moisturizing face creams are must-haves to maintain the hydration level in your skin. 

Using Moisturizers for the skin

Moisturizer Recommendations

You can start with beginner-friendly drugstore products. Always look out for fragrance-free and hypoallergenic products that help your skin stay clear of any allergies. In addition to that, pick moisturizers that won’t block your pores by making sure they are non-comedogenic. 

It’s always best to opt for thick moisturizers for dry skin. It needs to be a rich moisturizer that locks in the moisture you need on a daily basis while keeping the skin barrier safe. Basically, your face cream needs to keep your skin glowy by moisturizing your skin without irritating it.

And if you are looking for moisturizers for oily skin, pick a lightweight moisturizing face cream made with water-based ingredients. There are plenty of moisturizers that work effortlessly on sensitive skin with a matte finish. Some of them even come with the benefit of sun protection and anti-ageing properties. Regardless, always wear SPF! 

Picture of a Moisturizers

Verdict

If you have to pick one between the moisturizer and hydrator, never skip the first one. Moisturizers are required to lock the everyday moisture in your skin and keep it plumped. However, it’s best to incorporate a hydrating product to make sure your skin is fed with hydrating properties, especially if you have dry skin. If it makes it easier, look at choosing products that give the benefit of moisture-locking moisturizers and hydrating hydrator serums, acids and ceramides. 

Skincare can be overwhelming so it’s best to consult a dermatologist who will provide a solution catering to your skin type, goals and budget. Via oDoc, all of this is possible in just one phone call. Download the app here: 

Source

  • Healthline

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All About REM Sleep and Why it’s Important for your Health

All About REM Sleep and Why it’s Important for your Health

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If you are waking up with vivid dreams that you hardly recall, it’s a good sign. Now, for years, it’s a known fact that not getting enough sleep can lead to heart diseases, risk of dementia and even early death. Right now, there are studies confirming that a phenomenon called REM Sleep can be very beneficial for you. Because that affects how you respond to stressful situations, which in turn impacts your physical health. A full circle, yes. So, what is the meaning of REM Sleep? Let’s break it all down for you.

What is REM Sleep?

Ever seen babies with their eyes rapidly moving? It was in the 1950s, the scientists noticed that mannerism and coined the term ‘Rapid Eye Movement’ (REM) Sleep. If that’s a little too unfamiliar, REM sleep is also known as active sleep, desynchronized sleep and dream sleep. REM is one of the stages of sleep during which you dream. In addition to that, it plays a great role in strengthening your memory and improving your brain in many ways. 

The research, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, discovered that those who experienced REM sleep had lower fear-related brain activity when given mild electric shocks the next day. This meant that people with REM Sleep are less prone to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

REM Sleep usually occurs 90 minutes after you fall asleep. During that period, your heart rate and breathing increases. And there will be a very high brain activity which will lead you towards having intense dreams. 

Remember, this is a normal and healthy cycle of sleep that you should experience regularly. Therefore, we are going to give you a little more insight to understand how dream sleep can be a game changer.

Importance of REM Sleep

How Do You Experience REM Sleep?

To be aware of what your brain and body experiences during REM Sleep, it’s important to know the stages of sleep. 

During a full night’s sleep, you go through all the stages of sleep multiple times. Each cycle takes about 90-120 minutes to complete. With every new cycle, you will spend more time in the REM sleep stage. Let’s say your sleep gets interrupted, you start all over again. 

  • Stage 1 (Drifting off): Your brain waves, heartbeat, breathing and eye movements all slow down. Then, your muscles start to relax with random twitches. 
  • Stage 2 (Light Sleep): Your heart rate and body slow down further. Your temperature drops and eye movement stops. You begin to experience sleep spindles and K-complexes, these cause an outburst of activities in your brain.
  • Stage 3 (Deep Sleep): Your brain functions at its slowest helping your body to relax your way into deep sleep. Waking up someone at this stage is not very easy. Did you know at this stage your body repairs itself, boosts your immune system and restores your bones, muscles, and tissues?
  • Stage 4 (REM Sleep): The brain activity here is similar to how it functions when you are awake. You experience a loss of muscle tone, except for your eyes, that will move rapidly. Researchers have theorized that this happens to protect you from acting out your dreams and injuring yourself. 
In the stages of sleep REM Sleep is the final stage

So, Why Do You Dream During REM Sleep?

As mentioned a little earlier, your heart rate increases and your brain activity is enhanced. Therefore, you tend to experience vivid and intense dreams. To add to that, there is heightened activity in visual, motor, emotional and autobiographical memory parts of your brain. So the areas such as the ones that control rational thoughts are still very slow. Therefore, your dreaming experience doesn’t fully make sense until you wake up and realize it’s just a dream. 

Scientists believe that dreams are like a data dump that is gathered through all our experiences so it can act as a second gut. 

Benefits of REM Sleep

Dreaming

Some sleep experts call dreaming as an overnight therapy. It prepares you for adverse experiences and this is why those with good sleep react better to bad news.

Emotional Stability

Ever wondered why you feel a bit too sensitive on days when you don’t get enough sleep? This is because sleep regulates your emotions, there is a dedicated brain region called amygdala to process your emotions. And that activates during REM sleep. Again, your vivid dreams also play a major role in this.

Better Memory

During REM sleep, your brain manages new learnings and motor skills from the very day. Some of these are added to memory and some are simply deleted off. 

Brain Development

According to studies, REM sleep plays a huge role in brain development. This is why it’s believed that babies spend 50% of their sleep in REM while adults are left with 20% of this sleep.

Waking Up Fresh

If you have a complete night’s sleep, it’s easy to wake up, isn’t it? This is because REM sleep activates your central nervous system. 

What happens if you don’t have enough REM sleep?

  • You could experience forgetfulness and have poor memory as your brain is deprived of memory growth which occurs during REM sleep.
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness. This will lead to many issues including unproductive lifestyle and therefore, sadness.
  • Difficulties with concentration. You will observe a downward pattern of your cognitive performance. 
  • Chronic sleep deprivation or insomnia leads to diabetes, depression, obesity, etc.
Benefits of REM Sleep
If we got enough REM Sleep we can get more benefits among them are Emotional stability, Better Memory, Brain Development, waking up fresh and many more

Ways to Get REM Sleep

  • Sleep in a cool, dark room. 
  • Go to bed at night around the same time. 
  • Power down the electronics. 
  • Relax your body with either meditation or the use of calming mists, etc. 
  • Avoid regular consumption of alcohol, drugs and nicotine. 
  • Stay away from artificial light. 
  • Don’t overly depend on alarm clocks. And use it as a last resort. When your sleep schedule is in sync with your body, you can be up before your don’t-get-too-late alarm bell goes off. This is because multiple alarms can hinder the completion of your strongest REM sleep. 

When should you go to a doctor?

If you’re feeling a bit sleep deprived or feel the effects of insomnia, consult your doctor. Also, there are REM-related sleep disorders. So, if your vivid dreams get a bit too scary, if you experience sudden loss of muscle tone during the day, sleep paralysis or have trouble breathing during sleep, get medical attention as soon as possible. 

With oDoc, your doctor’s appointment is faster and most effective. You can get in touch with the country’s leading GPs over a call. So, convenient that you don’t have to lose sleep over it. 

Sources

  • Cleveland Clinic
  • Sleep Foundation

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Fighting Cancer with Nutrition

Fighting Cancer with Nutrition

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Cancer is a complex disease that results from multiple interactions between genes and the environment. It is regarded as one of the current leading causes of mortality worldwide. Cancer is abnormal division and reproduction of cells that can spread throughout the body. It consists of almost 100 disorders caused by nearly 300 different growths.

Because cancer occurs in cells that are replicating, the patterns of cancer are quite different in children and adults. In early life the brain, nervous system, bones, muscles and connective tissue are still growing. Thus these tissues are more commonly involved with cancerous lesions in children than adults. Conversely, common adult tumors involve epithelial linings. Leukemias and lymphomas, which are cancers of the immune system, occur in both children and adults.

 The goals of medical nutrition therapy for patients with cancer are  giving the best possible quality of life, controlling cancer related symptoms, maintaining  healthy body weight and body strength, keeping body tissue healthy and decreasing side effects before, during and after the treatments.

Cancer and cancer treatments may affect taste, smell, appetite and the ability to eat enough food and absorb nutrients from food. This can cause malnutrition, which is a condition caused by a lack of key nutrients. Malnutrition can cause the patient to be weak, tired, unable to fight infection and complete cancer treatments. Malnutrition may be made worse if the cancer grows or spreads. Medical Nutrition Therapy is important for healing, fighting infection and having enough energy to prevent malnutrition.

cancer patient sitting on a hospital chair

Malnutrition associated with cancer patients

The origin of malnutrition in cancer patients is multi-factorial. The prevalence of malnutrition in cancer patients is higher than in general patients because of cancer-specific characteristics and treatment processes. Most cancer patients undergo surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy and stem cell transplant depending on the type and stage of cancer. These treatments are associated with various side effects. Among these side effects, loss of appetite, sore mouth or throat, dry mouth, change in taste, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, constipation and fatigue can negatively affect dietary intake. 

Malnutrition can cause weakness, tiredness, infection risks, side effects of cancer treatment and mortality rates. Malnutrition may be worse if the cancer grows or spreads. Wasting is accelerated by the proteolysis of skeletal muscle and consumption of body fat. Accelerated mobilization and consumption of host protein stores from peripheral tissues occurs to support gluconeogenesis and acute phase protein synthesis. Consumption of the right amount of protein and calories is important for healing, fighting infection and having enough energy.

Anorexia and cachexia are common causes of malnutrition in cancer patients. 

Anorexia is the loss of appetite. It is a common symptom in patients with cancer. Anorexia may occur early in the disease or later, if the cancer grows or spreads. Anorexia may be attributed to altered taste and smell or to changes in the hypothalamic food regulation. Some patients already have anorexia when they are diagnosed with cancer. Most patients who have advanced cancer will have anorexia. Anorexia is the most common cause of malnutrition in cancer patients.

Cachexia is a condition marked by weakness, weight loss, fat loss and muscle loss. It is common in patients with tumors that affect eating and digestion. It can occur in cancer patients who are eating well, but are not storing fat and muscle because of tumor growth. Some tumors change the way the body uses certain nutrients. The body’s use of protein, carbohydrates and fat may be affected, especially by tumors of the stomach, intestines, head and neck. A patient may seem to be eating enough, but the body may not be able to absorb all the nutrients from the food. Disturbance of digestion and absorption also accompanies some tumors. Nutritional demand in the tumor-bearing state is increased due to alterations either by the neoplasm itself or by the stressed host.

Dietary management for cancer

It is important to maintain proper nutrition before, during and after cancer treatments like radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy and surgery. These procedures and medications can cause many individuals to lose their appetite and energy, putting them at an increased risk for malnutrition. On the other hand, some cancer treatments may cause weight gain. The main goal of medical nutrition therapy is to keep body weight constant. 

Early nutrition screening and assessment help to find problems that may affect how well the patient’s body deals with the effects of cancer treatment. Finding and treating nutrition problems early can help the patient to gain weight or prevent weight loss, decrease problems with the treatment and help recovery.

It is important to treat cancer symptoms and side effects that affect eating and weight loss early. Strategies for preventing weight loss can be identified as increasing appetite, helping food digestion, treating nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, preventing pain, treating mouth problems such as dry mouth, infection, pain and sores.

In order to minimize weight changes, heal properly and maintain the energy to cope with all the new challenges, a wide variety of high-calorie and high-protein foods need to be incorporated in patient management. Protein helps to ensure growth, repair body tissue and maintain a healthy immune system. Without enough protein, the body takes longer to recover from illness and will have a lower resistance to infection. People with cancer often need more protein than usual.

Nutrition needs are different for patients with advanced cancer. It is common that patients with advanced cancer want less food. Patients usually prefer soft foods and clear liquids. Those who have problems swallowing may do better with thick liquids than with thin liquids. Patients often do not feel much hunger at all and may need very little food.

In patients with advanced cancer, most foods are allowed. During this time, eating can be focused on pleasure rather than getting enough nutrients. Patients usually cannot eat enough of any food that might cause a problem. However, some patients may need to stay on a special diet. For example, patients with cancer that affects the abdomen may need a soft diet to keep the bowel from getting blocked.

Nutrition support for patients with cancer

It is acceptable to take in food by mouth whenever possible. Some patients may not be able to take in enough food by mouth because of problems from cancer or cancer treatment.

A patient who is not able to take in enough food by mouth may be fed using enteral nutrition (through a tube inserted into the stomach or intestines) or parenteral nutrition (infused into the bloodstream). The nutrients are given in liquid formulas that have water, protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

Nutrition support can improve a patient’s quality of life during cancer treatment, but there are harms that should be considered before making the decision to use it. The patient and health care providers should discuss the harms and benefits of each type of nutrition support prior to implementation.

Enteral Nutrition

Enteral nutrition is giving the patients nutrients in liquid form (formula) through a tube that is placed into the stomach or small intestine. 

A nasogastric tube is inserted through the nose and down the throat into the stomach or small intestine. This kind of tube is used when enteral nutrition is only needed for a few weeks. A gastrostomy tube is inserted into the stomach and jejunostomy tube is inserted into the small intestine through an opening made on the outside of the abdomen. This kind of tube is usually used for long-term enteral feeding or for patients who cannot use a tube in the nose and throat.

The type of formula used is based on the specific needs of the patient. There are formulas for patients who have special health conditions such as diabetes, chronic kidney diseases and other chronic conditions. 

Enteral nutrition is sometimes used when the patient is able to eat small amounts by mouth, but cannot eat enough for health. Calories and nutrients are given to the patient through tube feeding. 

Enteral nutrition may continue even after the patient leaves the hospital. If Enteral nutrition is to be part of the patient’s care after leaving the hospital, the patient and caregiver will be trained to do the nutrition support care at home.

Parenteral Nutrition

Parenteral nutrition is used when the patient can’t take food by mouth or by enteral feeding. Parenteral feeding does not use the stomach or intestines to digest food. Nutrients are given to the patient directly into the blood, through a catheter (thin tube) inserted into a vein. These nutrients include proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Parenteral nutrition is used only in patients who need nutrition support for five days or more. 

If parenteral nutrition is to be part of the patient’s care after leaving the hospital, the patient and caregiver will be trained to do the nutrition support care at home.

Going off parenteral nutrition support needs to be done slowly. It should be supervised by a medical team. The parenteral feedings are decreased by small amounts over time until they can be stopped, or as the patient is changed over to enteral or oral feeding.

Potential side effects & coping strategies

Cancer and associated treatments often result in taste alterations. Chemotherapy can result in the reduced ability to taste sweetness and a higher sensitivity to bitterness. This changes the flavor of foods like sweets, desserts, fruits and vegetables. Some individuals may experience an unusual dislike for certain foods, flavors and odors. Some studies indicate that zinc supplementation may protect against taste disorders.

Pain medications, changes in eating habits and decreased physical activity can cause bowels to move less frequently and stools to pass more difficult leading to constipation. Cancer treatments and medications can cause bowels to move much more frequently and stools to become very loose resulting in diarrhea. 

Overall, these side effects can result in decreased calorie intake and not meeting daily energy and nutrient requirements, causing weight loss. In addition to effects on appetite and body weight, psychological well-being can also be affected. The pleasure associated with eating can be negatively impacted, resulting in social and emotional impacts. Taking steps to improve nutrition and eating experience can improve physical and emotional well-being.

The potential side effects and associated coping strategies to be implemented for cancer patients are as follows.

Weight Loss 

  • Nutrient dense foods & snacks frequently
  • Small frequent meals throughout the day
  • High calorie high protein foods & snacks

Nausea/vomiting

  • Slow eating
  • Small frequent meals instead of large meals
  • Avoid tight clothing
  • Drink beverages before meals instead of with meals
  • Eat dry & salty foods (toast, crackers, corn chips)
  • Avoid high fat, spicy & highly sweetened foods
  • Avoid foods with strong odors
  • Eat bland & soft foods in treatment days
  • Drink liquids to stay hydrated
  • Sit up or keep head raised for at least 1 hour after eating

Constipation

  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Foods high in fiber (raw fruits & vegetables, whole grains, legumes)
  • Incorporate light/moderate physical activity daily

Sore throat/mouth

  • Soft & moist foods
  • Avoid dry & rough foods
  • Avoid tart, acidic, or salty foods and drinks
  • Avoid irritating spices such as chili powder, cloves & hot sauces
  • Avoid season foods with herbs
  • Consume food at a soothing temperature
  • Avoid alcohol, caffeine & tobacco

Diarrhea

  • Drink plenty of clear, non-carbonated beverages
  • Avoid fried, spicy & highly sweetened foods
  • Eat easily digestible foods (apple sauce, banana, yogurt & rice)
  • Avoid foods high in fiber, slowly resuming these foods when diarrhea is controlled
  • Eat salty snacks
  • Take high-potassium foods (fruit juices, potatoes, bananas)
  • Avoid foods causing gas/cramping (beans, cabbage, broccoli, spicy foods, carbonated beverages   
  • Limit milk and other lactose-containing foods
  • Avoid chewing gums, sugar-free gums and all candies made with sorbitol  

Fatigue

  • Nutrient dense foods
  • Small frequent meals
  • Drink adequate fluids throughout the day
  • Moderate physical activity

Dry mouth

  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Use broths, soups, gravies & yogurt to moisten foods
  • Limit caffeine intake
  • Take a swallow of beverage with each bite of food
  • Suck on hard candies/ chew gum to stimulate saliva production

Taste changes

  • Add extra seasoning/condiments
  • New recipes
  • Maintain good oral hygiene to help foods taste better
  • If metallic taste is present, replace metal silverware with plastic
  • Emphasize texture in meals

Poor appetite

  • Add lemon/lime juice to foods due to increased preference for tart flavors
  • Drink tart beverages (Lemon, lime, cranberry)
  • Eat during best times, when feeling hungry
  • Small frequent meals
  • If liquids are more tolerable than solids, consume nutritionally adequate, high calorie liquids
  • Avoid too many liquids with meals to prevent feeling full early
  • Nutrient dense food consumption
  • Be physically active, serving as an appetite stimulant
  • Eat in a pleasant environment

Difficulty in swallowing/ chewing

  • Soft, moist, blended foods 
  • Semi solid foods
  • Altered foods & drinks
  • Drink with a straw
  • Add sauces/liquids to help swallow

 

fighting cancer with nutrition

Nutrition for cancer survivors

Cancer survivors have special health needs, especially because of the risks of late effects and the cancer coming back. Studies have shown that a healthy diet helps to prevent late effects such as obesity, heart disease and metabolic syndrome. Researchers are studying whether certain diet and exercise habits in cancer survivors can keep cancer from coming back or keep new cancers from forming.

Healthy diet and lifestyle habits can improve the quality of life for cancer survivors. Surveys show that many cancer survivors do not follow cancer prevention guidelines and have lifestyle behaviors that may increase their risk for late effects or make late effects worse. Education programs can help cancer survivors learn how to make behavior changes that keep them healthier. Programs that cover diet, exercise, and stress management are more likely to help cancer survivors make lasting changes. 

Plant foods like whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds have antioxidants and phytochemicals that can prevent cancer. They are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. These foods are also naturally low in calories and help to maintain a healthy weight. Antioxidants include vitamin A, C, E, selenium, zinc and some enzymes that absorb and attach to free radicals, preventing them from attacking normal cells and interrupting cancer formation. Consumption of a variety of fruits and vegetables, which are good sources of antioxidants, is a healthy way to get antioxidants in the diet and prevent cancer recurrence in cancer survivors.

Article by

W.T.Nilakshi Madhushani

Dietitian/Clinical Nutritionist

SLMC Reg No-45/128

 

Sources

  • Cleveland Clinic

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