Pancreatic cancer diet
introduction
Patients with pancreatic cancer need one special diet. This is explained on the one hand by the fact that the lack of digestive enzymes from the pancreas certain food components can no longer be digested. The sugar balance is also often impaired by the disease, and sometimes even occurs Diabetes on that one special diet requirement.
That too Absence of bile in the intestine often leads to Digestive problems, those with special diet at least partially prevented can be. Patients who were operated on for pancreatic cancer also have Need for special nutrition, adapted to the changed situation of the digestive organs after the operation.
Diet after surgery for pancreatic cancer
What operation and whether a patient can benefit from an operation at all always depends on the patient Stage of the disease from. Therefore a appropriate dietary recommendation always from attending physician individually adjusted become.
Generally must observed become:
By eliminating the Digestive juice from the pancreas missing especially the enzyme Lipase, which is especially useful for the Breakdown and digestion of fats is essential is. This should therefore by Replaces enzyme preparations be which as tablets or similar should be taken with every meal. The dosage has to be there individually adapted to each patient become. Also a diet that tends to be based on medium chain fatty acids based, can help Indigestion and Fatty stools to prevent.
It comes to one reduced breakdown of fats, whereby the fat-soluble vitamins are poorly absorbed can. To one Vitamin deficiency (with the consequences: osteoporosis, Blood gmemory disorders The vitamins must therefore be used to prevent this
- Vitamin E.
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin A and
- Vitamin D
be replaced. The dosage is from attending physician performed.
Will be used as part of the surgery Part of the stomach also removed, the so-called Intrinsic factor and the Vitamin B12 can no longer included and must therefore also replaced become.
Patients who have had major abdominal surgery for pancreatic cancer often suffer from increased acid regurgitation. An acid-blocking drug (Antacid) are given. In addition, foods that are associated with increased acid formation should also be avoided (very spicy or smoked foods, etc.)
Also an intolerance to lactose (Lactose intolerance) can occur as a result of an operation and be associated with digestive problems. Large quantities of dairy products should be avoided here, or products with soy milk or special lactose-free dairy products should be preferred.
Does the operation lead to the development of diabetes (Diabetes mellitus), the patient has to replace the missing hormone insulin with injections into the abdominal wall according to the doctor's orders and adjust his diet. The general rules of the diabetic diet apply here.
It is always important to prevent undernourishment or malnutrition in all patients. If the normal supply of food cannot guarantee sufficient energy supply, it may have to be supplemented by other methods. For example, high-calorie food in the form of drinking food (available in pharmacies) is suitable for this. It is also possible to supplement the normal diet with parenteral nutrition (food that bypasses the gastrointestinal tract). This can be done through a nasogastric tube or partially through an implanted port.
Diet in non-operated patients with pancreatic cancer
Even unoperated patients, who are usually already in the end stage of pancreatic cancer, show similar results Nutritional and digestive problems like operated patients.
Thus apply similar recommendations as you can read above. Which Enzymes or vitamins must be added and whether a Diabetic food must be adhered to is depending on the extent of the disease and should be discussed with the attending physician.
Difficulty feeding cancer patients
Cancer patients often complain Loss of appetitet up to nausea. Also in the context of chemotherapy or Irradiation these problems occur more frequently. This often leads to a too little food intake With lack of energy intake.
The rule here is therefore that whatever the patient wants, he can eat! Food should be nicely arranged and offered in small intervals.
There are certain effective drugs against nausea, too Eat in small portions can help here. Also, patients should eat while eating sit uprightto get one Reflux of food to prevent.
Should be between meals drank enough but not directly during the meal to prevent early satiety. Herbal teas work here, for example reassuring on the stomach and partly too appetizing.
