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Anorexia Anorexia, or the lack or loss of appetite, is a frequently reported symptom for patients with cancer. Anorexia can dramatically affect your nutritional status, and therefore your health, by preventing you from obtaining adequate nutrition. Maintaining adequate nutritional intake has been linked to an improved quality of life and even increased survival. 20,28 About cancer-related anorexia describes basic information about anorexia, lists many factors that can contribute to the development of anorexia, describes some consequences of anorexia, and discusses the importance of preventing major weight loss. Several methods for evaluating nutritional health are described here and some nutrition evaluation tools are provided. There are various approaches that can assist you and your family with managing anorexia. Self-care activities are suggestions that can be used by you to increase your appetite or get nutrition when you are not feeling up to eating. Medications that are used or are being evaluated to treat anorexia are described. Methods of nutritional support are described, including when you might find using these supplements helpful. Many cancer patients and families combine complementary therapies with standard treatment. Nutritional therapies are the most common complementary or alternative therapies used and are defined in this section. Caregivers often wonder how to support a person with cancer. The special notes for caregivers gives specific suggestions on how to interact with a person who is experiencing anorexia. Information provides a way to help patients and families gain control of a disease process that often seems to be invading every part of their life. Please supplement this information by asking questions or by talking with your nurse or other healthcare provider to obtain the resources you need to successfully face anorexia—one of the common symptoms of cancer and its treatment. |
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