Proper nutrition during radiotherapy

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Cancer is a terrible disease, accompanied by a mass of negative consequences, treatment and compliance with the doctor's recommendations. One of the most popular and effective methods of treatment today is radiation therapy. To reduce the severity and number of negative consequences of the method during the procedure and after it, a certain diet is required.

Who needs radiotherapy and why

Radiotherapy treatment is prescribed for cancer. The reason for using this method is the high sensitivity of diseased body cells to radiation. Affected cells multiply rapidly, which leads to the rapid development of the disease. Exposure to ionizing radiation suppresses the development of the disease and destroys pathological elements.

The downside of an effective cancer treatment procedure is the abundance of negative consequences for the body. The patient begins to feel unwellgets tired faster, dizziness, nausea appear, other unpleasant symptoms develop. In order to make the process of treatment and recovery easier, a person is advised to change the diet during radiation therapy. It should be balanced and complete.

Cervical cancer: consequences, nutrition after radiation therapy of the uterus

Treatment with the help of ionizing effect never passes without a trace for the patient's body. The consequences depend on the type and method of the procedure chosen. There are two types of radiation therapy:

1. External - the effect on the tumor is made through the skin using a linear catalyst
2. Internal - the procedure is performed with the help of painkillers. The radiation source is inserted into a specialized capsule, which is inserted into the woman's vagina, then it moves through the cervix to this organ.

The most serious consequence of treatment is infertility. It is caused by active radiation directly to the ovaries. After the procedure, their work changes. The production of certain hormones (progesterone and estrogen) stops. Shortly thereafter, ovulation stops, which means you can't get pregnant.

On average, a complete change in the work of the female body occurs within 3-4 months. This is followed by menopause. In view of this feature, the doctor draws up a treatment. If the patient is not yet ready to give up the opportunity to conceive a child, then other methods of fighting cancer can be selected.cervix.

Other effects of treatment may include:

• bleeding;
• dizziness;
• nausea and vomiting;
• liquid stool;
• irritation;
• feeling unwell and general weakness.

To relieve symptoms, creams, medications, and special foods are prescribed for radiation therapy of the uterus. It will help to cope and alleviate many of the consequences of the disease and treatment. Nutrition during radiation therapy of the cervix should be sparing. It is recommended to switch to fractional food intake, drink enough liquid.

Nutrition during treatment

Already during treatment, you will have to reconsider your views on the diet. Despite the possible occurrence of unpleasant symptoms (nausea, lack of appetite), nutrition during radiation therapy should be balanced. To reduce nausea, it is recommended to switch to fractional meals, and special attention should be paid to high-calorie foods. It will help maintain the body's strength even with small portions of food, and it will also be easier to maintain weight.

Food during radiation therapy should consist of 4-5 meals, while portions should be made small. The feeling of overeating can only worsen the general well-being of the patient. You may experience symptoms such as a burning sensation or discomfort in your throat. In such a situation, it is best to switch to eating pureed food. This will reduce injury to the larynx. It is better to cook food for a couple, stewor bake.

Menu planning and recommendations after radiotherapy

Radiation therapy is a complex treatment that leaves consequences in the body. After it is carried out, it is recommended to follow a certain diet after radiation therapy. General recommendations for such patients are as follows:

• Switch to fractional meals. This will help balance the menu and reduce the load on the entire body. It is worth dividing the entire amount of food consumed into 5-6 meals, and portions should be small.
• Drinking enough fluids. It supports the body's defenses. It is worth drinking at least 2 liters of fluid per day, and it is clean drinking water. Additionally, you can drink tea, compotes, kissels, but avoid too sweet taste of drinks. Periodic consumption of freshly squeezed juices from vegetables and fruits will be useful.
• Bad habits weaken the body's defenses. During the treatment period, the body is weak and needs support. It is recommended to stop smoking, drinking alcohol and drugs.
• Avoid complex and heavy foods. These include fried, smoked, pickled, spicy, sour.
• Minimize or eliminate coffee and caffeinated liquids.
• Prohibitions also apply to dairy products. It is allowed to leave only fermented milk products (kefir, fermented baked milk, bifilux and others). Cottage cheese can also be included in the menu, but not fatty varieties.
• Foods that cause gas and bloating will also have toexclude (legumes, cabbage, mushrooms and others).

All these rules will have to be observed by patients who have undergone irradiation of any organ. Nutrition during radiation therapy (breast, cervix and other organs) is very similar.

Products needed after treatment

Nutrition during radiation therapy changes markedly. Many favorite foods will have to be excluded from the diet, while others, on the contrary, will be introduced. What should you pay attention to?

1. Despite many restrictions on the use of vegetables and fruits, there is also a list of allowed foods. Among the fruits, you should pay attention to apples (it is best to bake them in the oven) and bananas. Many berries are useful, for example, blackcurrant. From vegetables, include zucchini, carrots, pumpkins and beets in your diet.
2. Vegetable puree soups or soups without meat will be useful.
3. Don't forget the greens. It contains an abundance of vitamins that the body needs in a difficult period.
4. Meat and fish products should be introduced gradually. Gradually increase the portion. Dishes will have to be steamed, baked or stewed. Among meats, opt for white varieties (chicken, turkey, rabbit).
5. Pay attention to herbal infusions. Infusions of chamomile, nettle, radiola will be useful.

Appetite reduction after treatment

Treatment often affects the patient's appetite. Nutrition during radiation therapy should be saturated and balanced. Drink plenty of water toois a prerequisite for good he alth. You can make infusions of herbs such as oregano, wormwood. You need to use them three times a day before meals, a few drops.

To increase appetite, a decoction of wild rose, blackcurrant and mountain ash helps well. To do this, the wild rose is poured with boiling water and left overnight. In the morning the drink is ready to drink. You can try adding rowan or currant berries.

It is worth including nuts, honey, chicken eggs in the menu. Some types of spices (mint, lemon, cinnamon, ginger, and some others) often help restore appetite.

Nutrition during the treatment of radiation therapy should be made in accordance with the recommendations of the attending physician, so it is worthwhile to coordinate such products with him in advance in order to avoid the development of allergies.

Development of comorbidities: leukopenia

Treatment with radiotherapy can cause some comorbidities. For example, leukopenia or thrombocytopenia. To alleviate the condition, a therapeutic diet and the use of infusions of certain herbs are often prescribed.

When leukopenia is recommended to use a decoction of plantain. The leaves are brewed with boiling water and infused for several hours. Ready broth should be consumed three times a day, one tablespoon. You can add plantain to meals or eat it raw in salads.

Development of comorbidities: thrombocytopenia

In the case of the development of a disease such as thrombocytopenia, it is worth paying attention toparsley. It will be useful to prepare decoctions, adding it to dishes and salads.

To prepare a decoction, pour a small amount of greens with boiling water and leave to infuse overnight or 4-5 hours. After the time has elapsed, the drug is ready for use.

When bleeding occurs during urination, it is recommended to make infusions of barberry.

Rehabilitation period

Cancer is a serious disease that damages the body. Even greater losses and burdens for the patient will be associated with treatment. Radiation therapy affects not only the organ that was affected, but also the whole body. Therefore, one of the most important stages of rehabilitation is drawing up the right menu and following the recommendations of the attending physician.

Cope with a difficult period will help rest, walks in the fresh air. It is recommended to frequently ventilate the room in which the patient is located. We must not forget about warm clothes, because hypothermia is highly undesirable. Gradually, you can start doing special gymnastics in a lightweight form.

During the rehabilitation period, patients are prescribed additional medications.

Conclusions

Cancer treatment with radiation therapy is a big stress for the whole organism. It will be possible to cope with it only if all the recommendations of the doctor are followed, including proper nutrition.