Anorexia From Cancer Treatment

Individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer may begin to experience symptoms of anorexia from cancer treatment. Nutrition is a vital component during the fight against cancer, so beating a general loss of appetite is crucial in order to elevate one’s chances of survival.

Why anorexia occurs

Anorexia is a common occurrence from numerous types of cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, as well as a general side effect of the cancer itself. Roughly 80 percent of individuals undergoing cancer treat experience a change in appetite at some point during their treatment. This loss of appetite may be attributed to an inflamed mouth or esophagus, which creates difficulty chewing or swallowing, or anxiety or depression throughout the treatment process. Nausea, vomiting and bloating are also common side effects from treatment, and can cause this anorexic condition.

How to treat it

Anorexia among cancer patients can be handled in a number of ways. Physicians can prescribe some medications to ease the other effects contributing to a loss of appetite. Diets can be altered to include foods that are favorable to someone and sometimes caregivers can be helpful to make certain that feeding schedules are maintained, even in the face of anorexia.

Getting valuable nutrition from your diet is especially important when fighting cancer. A loss of appetite, while seemingly minor, can be a large stumbling block on the road to cancer recovery.