Essay on Nutrition Therapy for Liver Cancer Patients: Examining Weight Loss and Appetite

Introduction

Cancer refers to the growth of unregulated cells that results in dangerous effects on humans. Liver cancer refers to the increase of unwanted cells in the liver. Cancer patients must undergo screening to assess the nutrition needs of patients to examine the extent of weight loss and decreased appetite (Pimpin, 2018). An examination reveals the patient's enhancement concerning the nutritional health of a patient and assists in making sound decisions regarding nutrition therapy to address the problem. Preventive measures enhance the chances of developing the prognosis of the patient. The intention of this paper aims to examine Mr. Steve Palmer's chemotherapy for liver cancer concerning symptoms such as weight loss, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, and dry mouth.

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Main objectives for Nutrition Intervention in Cancer Patients

Health care specialist asserts that the primary nutritional therapy for patients in ongoing care and recovery involves the provisions of suitable nutrients lacking, sustain the dietary requirement, and eradicate challenges that may arise from such ineffective provision of nutritional health service. The main objective for nutritional intervention in patients with cancer encompasses the need to prevent or treat nutrition challenges, including muscle and bone loss. Besides, it involves minimizing the side impacts of cancer treatment and issues that influence nutrition, ensuring the patient's energy and strength, and boost the immune system to fight opportunistic infections (George et al., 2018). Mr. Palmer's therapy must, therefore, include a diet that increases his body weight, such as adequate calories, vitamins to boost his immune system, and proteins to help build his muscles.

Mr. Palmer's Protein and Energy Requirements

There are several ways of calculating protein and energy requirements. The methods include a calculation on basal metabolic rate, physical activity, and thermic influence of food. Scholars suggest that men have a higher basal metabolic rate (BMR) than women (Pimpin, 2018). Mr. Palmer's diet must include food collections from each food group that is carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins daily. There exist numerous automatic calculators for determining nutrients needs for protein, calories, and fluid.

BMR for Mr. Palmer equals 66 + 165 + (12.9*74) - (6.8*65) = 743.6

Protein content equals 165/2 = 84.5

Diarrhea and vomiting lead to dehydration. Bleeding, infections, fever, and not taking in enough water contributes to dehydration. Symptoms for dehydration include dry mouth, creased and loose skin, thick, dry body excretions, murky urine, and headache. Remedy for Mr. Palmer includes drinking enough water, eating delicious foods, and maintaining a balanced diet.

Three Dietary Suggestions to Address Decreased Appetite and Nausea

The patient must take a diet that comprises calories and snacks 6 to 8 times a day. Starchy food, such as bread, pasta, or potatoes rich in protein nutrients like fish, chicken, meat, eggs, turkey, cheese, milk, nuts, peanut butter, and beans, among others. Besides, scientists recommend the availability of refreshing drinks and juices. Serve bland foods that its smell does not bother the patient. The patient should experience a conducive eating environment. Fruits and liquid meals play an essential role when the patient does not want to eat.

Three Dietary Suggestions to Address Dry Mouth

Dry mouth has the following management and preventive measures that include the prescription of medicine that minimizes the side effects of radiation therapy. Besides, dry mouth treatment involves the application of saliva substitute and mouth rinses, prescription of medications that trigger salivary glands, and employment of other means excite the salivary glands such as the intake of sugar-free foods (George et al., 2018). Besides, drinking at least eight glasses of water daily, avoid alcohol, caffeine, and acidic drinks, and also eat soft, moist, and fresh foods. The patient should not smoke or chew tobacco. Furthermore, the cancer patient must avoid sticky and sugary foods and drinks.

Conclusion

The liver performs several functions in the body and plays a vital role in the sustenance of life. The defectiveness of the liver to perform any one of its features may lead to dangerous health conditions that may result in fetal death. Proper prevention and treatment can prolong a person's life and increase their ability to fight cancer and live a healthy life.

References

George, E. S., Forsyth, A., Itsiopoulos, C., Nicoll, A. J., Ryan, M., Sood, S., & Tierney, A. C. (2018). Practical dietary recommendations for the prevention and management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in adults. Advances in nutrition, 9(1), 30-40. https://academic.oup.com/advances/article-abstract/9/1/30/4848998

Pimpin, L., Cortez-Pinto, H., Negro, F., Corbould, E., Lazarus, J. V., Webber, L., & EASL HEPAHEALTH Steering Committee. (2018). Burden of liver disease in Europe: epidemiology and analysis of risk factors to identify prevention policies. Journal of hepatology, 69(3), 718-735. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168827818320579