Managing Weight Loss in Cancer

Cancer treatment can often lead to weight loss and a lack of appetite, both of which can affect your overall health and well-being. Understanding the reasons behind this and how to manage it is crucial for maintaining strength during treatment and recovery.

What Can Cause Weight Loss or a Lack of Appetite?

There are various reasons why you might experience weight loss or have difficulty eating during cancer treatment. These can include:

  • Cancer itself: Cancer can disrupt your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, even if you are eating enough. This can result in weight loss, as the body is not able to use the food it consumes efficiently.
  • Cancer treatments: Treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can have side effects that make it harder to eat. For example, nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, tiredness, dry mouth, and changes in taste and smell are common side effects that can reduce appetite and make eating uncomfortable.
  • Pain: Pain from cancer or treatment (especially surgery) can decrease your desire to eat. When you’re in pain, your body focuses on managing that discomfort, and hunger can often take a back seat.
  • Emotional state: Feeling sad, anxious, or worried about your health or treatment can also lead to a loss of appetite. The emotional and psychological effects of cancer can sometimes have as big an impact on eating habits as physical symptoms.

Why Is It Important to Eat Enough?

Maintaining a healthy diet and eating enough is vital for staying as strong and healthy as possible during cancer treatment. Adequate nutrition helps you:

  • Maintain energy levels: Good nutrition gives you the energy you need to keep going through treatment and recovery.
  • Support your immune system: Proper nourishment helps your immune system fight infections and recover from treatment side effects.
  • Improve healing: Eating well provides the nutrients necessary for the body to heal tissues and repair cells, especially important after surgery or radiation therapy.

What Foods Can Help Maintain My Weight?

Eating nutrient-dense foods that are high in calories and protein is key to preventing weight loss. Some examples include:

  • Thick soups: These can be made with high-calorie ingredients like cream, cheese, or meats to boost nutritional content.
  • Dairy products: Milk, milkshakes, cheese, pudding, and smoothies are rich in calories and can be easier to consume if you have a reduced appetite.
  • Nutritional supplements: Drinks like Ensure, Boost, and Carnation Instant Breakfast are designed to provide extra calories, protein, and nutrients.
  • High-protein foods: Eggs, chicken, lean meats, and fish are excellent sources of protein that help with tissue repair and muscle maintenance.
  • Dairy alternatives: Yogurt, frozen yogurt, and ice cream are calorie-dense and can be easy to eat if you are struggling with dry mouth or mouth sores.
  • Nut butters and snacks: Peanut butter, nuts, dried fruit, and granola bars are high in healthy fats and protein, helping to keep your weight up.

How Can I Eat Enough on My Own?

If you find it difficult to eat enough, here are some tips to ensure you get the nutrition your body needs:

  • Eat smaller, more frequent meals: Instead of trying to eat three large meals, aim for 5 to 6 smaller meals throughout the day.
  • Healthy snacks: Keep healthy, calorie-dense snacks on hand and eat them between meals when you feel hungry.
  • Boost your foods: Add extra calories and protein to your meals. You can do this by adding butter, oil, nuts, gravy, powdered milk, protein powder, or cream to your food.
  • Stay hydrated, but not during meals: Drink fluids between meals, not during, to avoid filling up on liquids and losing your appetite for solid foods.
  • Eat foods that appeal to your senses: If certain foods smell good to you or taste better, make them your go-to meals. You can also try adding spices or condiments to your food to enhance flavor.
  • Social support: Eating with family or friends can make mealtime more enjoyable and help you keep a positive outlook on eating.
  • Prepare ahead of time: Buy pre-cooked foods, or prepare meals in advance and freeze them so that they are easy to heat up when you’re feeling too tired to cook.
  • Get help: If cooking or shopping is difficult, ask a friend, family member, or caregiver for assistance.
  • Increase your appetite with physical activity: A short walk about an hour before eating may help stimulate your appetite.
  • Consider vitamins: Talk to your doctor about whether you should take vitamins or consult a nutrition expert to ensure you are getting enough nutrients.

Managing Treatment Side Effects That Affect Eating

Cancer treatments often come with side effects that make eating more challenging. Here are some tips to help manage those effects:

  • Dry mouth: If your mouth is dry, drink plenty of fluids and avoid dry, hard foods like crackers. Opt for moist foods, or suck on ice chips or sugar-free hard candy.
  • Mouth sores: Choose soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow, such as mashed potatoes or smoothies. You can also blend or puree foods. Avoid spicy, salty, or acidic foods that may irritate your mouth.
  • Nausea: If you feel nauseous, eat bland, dry foods like crackers, rice, or toast. Avoid greasy, spicy, or rich foods that can trigger nausea.
  • Constipation: To ease constipation, drink more fluids and consume foods rich in fiber, such as vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, oatmeal, and whole grains.
  • Diarrhea: Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Avoid milk, greasy foods, and high-fiber foods, which can worsen diarrhea.

When Should I Call My Doctor or Nurse?

Call your doctor or nurse if you:

  • Cannot keep food or fluids down
  • Experience severe abdominal pain
  • Feel dizzy or weak
  • Have a fever

Are There Medicines That Can Help Increase My Appetite?

Yes, some medications can help stimulate your appetite, including:

  • Olanzapine (brand name: Zyprexa)
  • Hormone therapies
  • Steroids: These are usually prescribed for short periods due to their potential side effects.

Although some people consider trying marijuana or cannabis products like CBD oil to increase appetite, studies have not shown effectiveness in advanced cancer patients, and doctors generally do not recommend them.

Other Treatments for Weight Loss and Appetite Issues

In some cases, doctors may recommend alternative treatments if you are unable to eat or your body is not absorbing nutrients:

  • Tube feedings: If you cannot eat on your own but can digest food, a feeding tube can be placed into your stomach or small intestine to provide nourishment.
  • Intravenous nutrition: For patients whose bodies cannot digest food, nutrition may be delivered through an IV, though this is less common for cancer patients.
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