MESOTHELIOMA: NUTRITIONAL DATA

Ensuring that the Mesothelioma patient maintains a good nutritional intake throughout the course of both their illness and their treatment is absolutely vital.

Unfortunately, the symptoms of Mesothelioma itself and the side-effects of the various forms of treatment available can both result in distinct loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, difficulty eating, and diarrhea.

Collectively, these symptoms and side-effects can easily lead to such conditions as malnutrition, hypoglycemia, and a variety of other conditions that are generally associated with a poor diet. Therefore, it is essential to try and ensure that the Mesothelioma patient’s intake of vital nutrients is maintained and regulated as carefully as is possible.

Nutritional Problems

One of the biggest problems facing Mesothelioma patients is that most forms of cancer can have an adverse effect upon the way in which the human-body metabolizes fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. And, over the course of a prolonged period, the effects of these changes can physically manifest in the form of weight-loss, muscle atrophy, malnutrition, weakness and fatigue.

Treatment Problems

As far as the most successful forms of treatment for Mesothelioma are concerned – namely chemotherapy and radiation treatment – similar problems can surface.

For example, the side-effects associated with chemotherapy can include severe diarrhea, vomiting, extensive ulceration of the lining of the mouth (known as mucositis, and which can make both chewing and swallowing food very difficult), and acute nausea.

All of these side-effects may present significant challenges in terms of ensuring the patient is able to intake and correctly absorb vital nutrients, vitamins, carbohydrates and proteins.

Radiation therapy may result in a distinct loss of appetite, which can also significantly affect the patient’s ability to intake important nutrients.

When and where possible, it is recommended that Mesothelioma patients should engage in a diet that is high in both protein and calories, such as eggs, cheese, and milk.

Cachexia

One of the conditions associated with Mesothelioma is Cachexia, which manifests in the form of weight-loss, fatigue, atrophied muscles, and significant weakness – often as a result of anemia that accompanies Cachexia. Cachexia can also be associated with a variety of other conditions, such as AIDS, tuberculosis and disorders of an auto-immune nature.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia – or low-blood-sugar, in simple terms – is generally associated with diabetic conditions. However, it can also manifest in those with poor diets, such as anorexics and bulimics; as well as in those who may not be able to intake and metabolize sufficient amounts of food correctly – such as Mesothelioma patients. The symptoms of hypoglycemia may include confusion, anger, panic-states and panic-attacks, hyperventilation, sweating, palpitations, and even seizure and coma.

Total Parenteral Nutrition

For those Mesothelioma patients who are unable to intake required amounts of nutrients in a conventional fashion, other means are available, including Total Parenteral Nutrition. Essentially, TPN is the process by which a person is fed intravenously. Generally, the patient will receive nutritional formulas that consist of vitamins, amino acids, glucose, lipids, minerals, and water.

Enteral Nutrition

Enteral Nutrition is a process that can be utilized to help Mesothelioma patients who may not be able to ingest solid food, but who can intake liquids. In this process, vital nutrients are introduced into the patient’s digestive system via liquids, in the form of highly nutritional drinks.

Tube-Feeding

If a patient is unable to either eat or drink normally as a result of their condition, a decision may be taken to utilize a feeding-tube, which is generally placed into the patient’s nose, and from there, into the small-intestine or stomach. In some cases, the tube may by-pass the patient’s nose completely, and may instead be surgically positioned in the stomach via a small incision that is made on the outside of the patient’s abdomen.