Chemotherapy is an important treatment for leukemia, but a series of side effects from chemotherapy, such as mouth ulcers, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, constipation and diarrhea, add to the suffering of patients, so giving patients sound dietary advice is beneficial to their recovery and reducing complications.
1. Dietary guidance for mouth ulcers
Chemotherapy drugs destroy the patient’s immune function and reduce the body’s resistance. It causes changes in the amount and composition of the patient’s saliva and inhibits glandular secretion, so it causes mouth ulcers. For mild ulcers, patients should be encouraged to drink more water, gargle with 10% sodium bicarbonate solution, and give semi-liquid or soft food with high protein, high calories and high vitamins, such as soy products and milk. For more severe ulcers, gargle with 2% lidocaine to relieve the difficulty in eating due to painful mouth ulcers.
2. Dietary guidance for nausea and vomiting
- Nausea, mild vomiting As the cumulative dose of chemotherapy drugs increases, patients may experience nausea and mild vomiting, which requires flexible meal timing, with no food 2 h before chemotherapy and 1 h after the end of chemotherapy to avoid aggravating vomiting. Such patients can have a light diet and drink more water, but do not take in a lot of drinks at one time. Do not ingest cold and hot food at the same time, it is better to eat warm food to avoid uncomfortable feelings such as tooth allergy and digestive discomfort.
- Severe vomiting In severe gastrointestinal reactions with frequent vomiting, the patient’s appetite is significantly reduced and there is no physical or psychological requirement to eat, and the patient cannot be forced to eat. It is possible to eat thin rice, light diet, etc., with appropriate condiments during intervals. The chemotherapy drug can be arranged to be given at bedtime or nap time at this time.
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3. Dietary guidance for constipation
The chemotherapy period leads to constipation because of the significant reduction in patient activity and the neurotoxicity of some anti-leukemia drugs, which slows intestinal motility. Rational dietary behavior not only prevents constipation, but also plays an adjunctive role in disease treatment.
Patients are encouraged to eat more fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E, and coarse fiber brown rice and beans. Drink plenty of water or juice, and drink a glass of light salt water or plain water early each morning to help with bowel movements. Eat more gas-producing foods such as radish, garlic and jam to increase bowel movement. The company’s main goal is to provide the best possible service to its customers.
4. Dietary guidance for diarrhea
Anti-metabolic drugs inhibit the proliferating gastrointestinal epithelium, causing the intestinal mucosa to become congested, edematous, and ulcerated, resulting in diarrhea. For patients with diarrhea, provide foods low in fiber while taking antidiarrheal agents and avoid excessive fats, fries, or sweet foods. Avoid gas-producing foods such as sugar, beans, cabbage, and carbonated beverages. If diarrhea is severe a light diet should be considered, such as filtered rice broth, clear broth, juices and vegetable juices.