Cachexia and anorexia
Is a problem experienced by many cancer patients or patients with mesothelioma. Cachexia leads to weight loss, loss of muscle strength, skeletal and loss of appetite. This occurs in more than half of cancer patients and patients with mesothelioma.
In addition to causing great loss in weight, which lead to a rapid decline in health of a patient mesothelioma. Studies have shown that the patient who is suffering from cachexia die more quickly than those without it.
Loss of appetite and cancer patients
People who suffer from cancer such as malignant mesothelioma are exposed to loss of appetite and eating disorders which cause mental and psychological disorders usually stem from the distorted body image. Cancer patients develop depression because of their illness, and sometimes lead to the adoption of the anorexic behavior.
The effects of various treatments for tumors
Chemotherapy
Cause some of the drugs used in chemotherapy directly to the loss of appetite, and nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea and constipation, and sores and infections of the mouth, as well as changes in taste and taste in the patient. All these symptoms affect the nutrition and continue for more than two weeks and constitute a danger to the patient. When the fever continues for long periods increases the body's need for calories.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy for head and neck area cause loss of appetite and taste and taste changes in the patient, and inflammation and dryness of the mouth and gums, and Balbla difficulties, in addition to cramps and spasms jaws. The radiation therapy was infection may cause the esophagus or converting the reverse flow of stomach contents, as well as nausea and vomiting and difficulty swallowing. And radiation therapy to the abdomen or pelvis causes diarrhea, and nausea and vomiting, and infections of the intestine or the occurrence of fistulas, all this in addition to radiation therapy that cause fatigue and exhaustion, which loses its appetite and desire for food.
Immunotherapy
Sometimes cause a different immune therapies such as different symptoms of fever, fatigue and physical exhaustion, thus leading to loss of appetite, and increased need for protein and calories.
Surgeries
Sometimes lead to surgical operations in the complexities of chewing and swallowing, or to mental stress and nervous tissue that result has been eradicated, as they lead to deficiencies in the absorption of proteins and fat and lack vitamins and minerals, also cause severe diarrhea and fluid loss .
How is the treatment of cachexia?
Sometimes doctors recommend using cortisone as a treatment for cachexia, which increases the appetite and greatly improve the patient's temperament, and can also use medical marijuana. But increased caloric intake is not a solution to the cachexia, the only way to reduce the symptoms of anorexia is weight gain and increase muscle strength.
Cachexia and anorexia