For patients with terminal cancer who have food restrictions, getting proper nutrition will help them get enough energy. And nutrients to help their bodies have strong immunity and reduce complications.
Palliative Care for cancer patients with complications or side effects that cause the body to deteriorate, coupled with cancer patients having specific problems that prevent them from eating normally. If good and appropriate nutrition is not provided for each individual. ทางเข้า https://ufabet999.app Cancer patients may become malnourished, affecting the patient’s quality of life, such as bed ridden, bad sore, muscle wasting.
Reasons why cancer patients are at risk of malnutrition
- Cancer cells produce certain chemicals that cause them to metabolize food more quickly.
Makes the body need more energy. Getting enough energy and nutrients is essential.
- Cancer patients have many side effects that may cause them to eat less and have a loss of appetite, but the body needs more energy. Which is why it is easy to become malnourished.
To help patients become stronger and feel better, importance should be given to their nutrition. Appropriate nutrition in the palliative phase can be divided into two types: nutrition for cancer patients in different stages and nutrition for terminal patients. Preparing appropriate food must be done in conjunction with medical personnel to create an appropriate nutrition plan. For example:
- Patients with anorexia should divide their food into 4-6 small meals to get enough nutrients. The food should be high in protein, such as milk, eggs, beans, meat. And add energy sources such as rice bran oil, olive oil, as well as rice-flour groups such as corn, taro, sweet potatoes, or all types of rice. Or should receive medical supplements to enhance immunity, drink as a supplement or replace meals.
- Patients with nausea should choose food that is not pungent, focusing on soft. Easy-to-eat foods such as porridge, rice soup, and soup. Avoid greasy and fried foods. Dry foods such as crackers and spring rolls are recommended to help reduce symptoms.
- Patients with mouth ulcers, sore mouth and tongue should not eat hot food, should be at room temperature, and should avoid spicy, salty, hard, or acidic food.
- Difficulty swallowing: Food should be soft and easy to chew and swallow. Such as rice soup, vegetable porridge, jelly, pudding, soft-boiled eggs, and oatmeal.
- Patients who are losing weight should increase their calorie and protein intake, or in some cases, add a medical diet.
Nutrition for terminal cancer patients
For terminal cancer patients who are entering the final stages of life, appropriate terminal cancer nutrition is important for the patient. But the patient’s needs or food preferences are also important. Generally, patients in the final stages are usually allowed to finish all the food. Just be careful about the quantity, which should not be too much, especially for menus with excessive fat and sugar. They may be allowed to eat one meal of the food they want, as a special meal for the patient.
What are the main nutrients that cancer patients need?
- Energy is considered the main food that is necessary for patients. Energy is obtained from food in the rice, flour, and fat groups. In cases with severe symptoms, very thin people need to receive more energy than normal, up to 3000 – 4000 kilocalories per day. While normal people should receive 1500 – 2000 kilocalories per day. However, they should not focus too much on foods with fat, especially saturated fat and trans fat.
- Protein: Protein consumption should be an average of 80-100 grams per day, depending on body weight and severity of the disease. You should choose high-quality protein that contains all the essential amino acids, such as meat and eggs, to help repair, maintain tissues, and build immunity.
- Vitamins and Minerals For vitamins and minerals, you should consume brightly colored fruits and vegetables to get antioxidants and sufficient amounts of vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin ADE and zinc. These can be found in boiled vegetables, soybeans and unrefined grains. As well as meat and whole eggs.
- You should drink enough water, 2-3 liters per day.
For relatives or caregivers of palliative care patients or cancer patients. In order to prepare appropriate and complete food, it is recommended to consult a doctor, dietitian or nutritionist to prepare a plan together. But the important thing is to focus on foods that strengthen the immune system and emphasize protein. Eat a variety of foods.