How to treat loss of appetite after chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a common method for clinical treatment of malignant tumors at this stage, and it is also one of the most effective means of treating cancer. Most chemotherapy drugs are cytotoxic drugs, and some side effects will occur more or less during use, including digestive system reactions, bone marrow suppression, hair loss, and liver and kidney function damage. Loss of appetite is a common type of digestive system reaction. Loss of appetite in patients will lead to insufficient nutritional intake, which in turn affects their physical recovery. So what are the prevention methods for loss of appetite?

Prevention methods:

1. Do moderate exercise before meals and eat a small amount of appetizers, such as moutan bark, hawthorn slices, etc.

2. Keep the air in the dining environment clean and comfortable to put yourself in a good mood.

3. It is recommended to eat high-calorie, high-protein meals, such as milk, tofu, fish, etc. At the same time, eat small meals frequently to avoid feeling full and hungry.

4. Change the cooking methods and types of dishes, and pay attention to the combination of color, aroma and taste.

5. Wash your feet with hot water before going to bed to promote blood circulation, and drink a glass of hot milk to promote sleep.

In addition to diet, patients can also be encouraged to do moderate aerobic exercise such as jogging, walking, brisk walking, etc., which can help increase appetite and relieve discomfort symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, but it should be done step by step and within one's ability. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure adequate sleep and a good mood, correctly understand and treat the disease, and enhance confidence. Music therapy, muscle relaxation and other behavioral training can also be used to relieve nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy.

(This article was scientifically reviewed by Xin Xiaowei****, deputy director of the Nutrition Department of the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.)