Pathways to Healing Lung cancer starts in the lungs but can spread to other regions of the body. While there is no single cure, there are different treatment options that can be used. In this article, we will look at treatment options, as well as symptoms of lung cancer Roughly 1 in 16 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer. While smoking can increase the likelihood of getting a diagnosis, non-smokers are not exempt from this condition. There are many different causes of lung cancer, and people of all ages can be diagnosed. Unfortunately, there is no specific cure for lung cancer. Beating cancer is a little more complicated than taking a few pills or going to a doctor’s office. The disease is more serious and requires more intense intervention techniques. Different Lung Cancer Treatment Options Depending on the progression of the cancer and the patient's general health, a physician may recommend several treatment options. Know that with all treatment options, there is a risk of harsh side effects and a chance that the treatment does not work. Still, these are the best options when it comes to defeating lung cancer, with increased chances of success in cases of early detection. Treatments can be used in combination with one another, or as a standalone option depending on the particular case. Chemotherapy Chemotherapy has been one of the most common treatment options for a long time. It works by using strong chemicals that target rapidly dividing cells. When introduced into your body, chemotherapy drugs will attack all rapidly dividing cells. Unfortunately, these drugs cannot differentiate between cancer cells and healthy cells that just happen to be dividing. The side effects of such treatments can be unpleasant, but most reverse when the treatment ends or can be reduced during the treatment. Common side effects include: Nausea/vomiting. Hair loss. Mouth sores. Pain. Bowel disturbances (diarrhea/ constipation). Loss of appetite. Bruising easily. [youmaylike] Harsher and potentially permanent side effects include: Organ damage (heart, lung, kidneys). Nerve damage. Infertility. Heightened risk of a second cancer. Side effects will also vary depending on the type of drug that is used in your treatment and the way you “take in” the drug. The most common chemotherapy drugs for lung cancer include the following: Afatinib. Bevacizumab. Ceritinib. Crizotinib. Erlotinib. Chemotherapy for lung cancer can be done in the following ways: Injected: Most often this is administered through infusions (IV) but can be given through shots. Implanted: Thin wafers containing the drug can be inserted directly into the site of a tumor or surgery. Pills: Pills and capsules containing the drug are sometimes available. Radiation Radiation is another treatment method. Radiation therapy uses beams of energy to damage cells in targeted regions of the body. The intense energy beams aim at precise locations in the body and damage the cells in that region. While this, unfortunately, means that healthy cells will also be attacked, they are often able to “bounce back” from the damage where cancer cells will be killed. As it is a targeted treatment, side effects are often limited to the region in which the treatment was applied. This means that patients can expect skin problems in the area of application as well as fatigue; these are mostly short-term side effects. Specific side effects characterized by treatments aimed at the chest include: Breast soreness. Stiff shoulders. Difficulties swallowing. Respiratory problems. Radiation fibrosis (permanent lung scarring). There is a low chance of developing long-term side effects, such as the development of a second cancer, as an effect of radiation exposure. Surgery If the cancer is caught early enough, then it can be treated by removing the cancerous tissue at the initial site. The operation can only be successful if the cancer has not yet spread to other regions of the body. The side effects of this treatment will depend on the depth of the removal, the nature of the removed tissue, and its size. For example, removing a tiny bit of the lung will not be as hard to recover from as removing a large piece. Other Lung Cancer Treatment Options Other treatments are being developed that aim to keep the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation treatments without the harsh side effects. While some remain experimental, recently emerging treatments, such as immunotherapy, offer the potential to battle lung cancer. Talk to a licensed care physician to get the most valuable recommendations on which cancer treatment is right for you. Everybody has a different experience and treatments are decided on a case-by-case basis.
Diet for Bariatric Surgery
If you have tried everything within your power to lose weight or you have a health condition that prevents you from losing weight, your doctor may suggest bariatric surgery. Frequently called gastric bypass, this type of procedure often involves sealing off the top of the stomach, which decreases the amount of food you can consume and reduces nutrient absorption. As a result, it’s much easier to lose any excess weight. But what should a diet for bariatric surgery include and what can help you recover? In this article, we are going to explore all the foods, supplements and vitamins you might want to consider after your bariatric surgery. Let’s dive in!
Post-Bariatric Surgery Diet Tips
After bariatric surgery, you need to be cautious about what you consume. It’s recommended to:
- Drink at least 64 ounces of water each day.
- Delay drinking anything after a meal for 30 minutes.
- Eat slowly.
- Consume protein-rich foods.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Limit caffeine.
- Thoroughly chew each and every bite.
Phase 1
Initially, you will be only allowed to consume liquids. This gives your stomach (and body) time to heal and recover. Some of these liquids may include:
1. Broth
Broth is gentle and soothing on the digestive tract. In fact, it is frequently recommended for those with digestive issues due to its healing capabilities. Bone broth, in particular, contains protein and various minerals that help with your gut lining, ensuring you obtain adequate nutrition.
2. Unsweetened Juice
Added sugars may irritate your stomach and digestive tract. Thus, choose unsweetened juices that naturally contain plenty of vitamins and minerals that can accelerate the healing and recovery process. You can also slowly suck on a popsicle or gelatin that is sugar-free.
3. Decaffeinated Tea or Coffee
Caffeine should be avoided due to its stimulatory effects on the digestive system (which can mean you end up absorbing next to no nutrients from your food post-surgery). However, you can try decaffeinated varieties, receiving plenty of antioxidants and other nutrients.
4. Milk
Milk can help you obtain adequate calcium and protein. Go for skim or 1% to avoid overloading your digestive system with too much fat.
Phase 2
After a week of good tolerability of liquids, you will move on to pureed foods, making your diet a little more interesting! Typically, this means eating about three to six snacks or meals each day, with each meal taking about 30 minutes to consume. Here’s what this stage of the bariatric diet will include:
5. Pureed Fruits and Veggies
Fruits and vegetables boost tons of nutrients that your body needs on a regular basis. They also come jam-packed with antioxidant and gut-friendly compounds, helping your digestive tract heal and get back on track post-surgery.
6. Pureed Lean Ground Meat
While this might not sound ultra-appetizing, your body needs protein to heal and repair. Protein is the building block of the body, which means it is essential for improving your digestion as you recover.
7. Soft Scrambled Eggs
Pureed foods further include soft scrambled eggs! Make sure not to overcook them, as this may make them tricky to eat.
8. Soups
You can also enjoy various soups during this second week, allowing you to add variety to your daily diet.
Phase 3 and 4
From here, you can begin introducing soft foods, such as:
- Ground meat.
- Flaky fish.
- Cottage cheese.
- Rice.
- Cooked veggies.
The following week, if all goes well, you can then introduce solid foods a little bit at a time.
Supplements, Vitamins and Minerals
Your doctor may further recommend certain supplements to guide your recovery and replace any foods you are unable to eat for the first few weeks. This is essential to prevent nutrient deficiencies and adverse health effects. Some supplements that you may be recommended include:
9. Calcium
The intake of 1,200 milligrams to 2,000 milligrams of calcium can help prevent bone loss. This is especially important if you aren’t drinking milk (such as those that don’t tolerate lactose very well).
10. Vitamin D
Vitamin D can be taken alongside calcium. It’s recommended to take 800 to 1,000 international units of vitamin D. Alternatively, you can also obtain vitamin D via the sun, which may mean your doctor can recommend sitting outside in the sun for 15 to 20 minutes each day.
11. Vitamin B12
B12 is an essential bariatric vitamin for energy production and is necessary for healing! It also may be hard to obtain initially when consuming only liquids since it is often found in meat and animal products. Aim for 500 micrograms daily.
12. Folic Acid and Iron
Your doctor may further recommend folic acid or iron, especially if you are a woman who is currently menstruating. These are commonly lost via your monthly bleed. Yet, with restrictions around what you can eat, they may be hard to replenish, so supplementation may be best.
Post-Bariatric Surgery Medications
Post-bariatric surgery medications may include:
- Omeprazole. This prevents ulcers from developing. It is usually recommended to take within the first six months post-surgery.
- Ursodiol. This helps stop the production of gallstones, which commonly occur after this type of surgery. This medication is also typically taken for at least six months after bariatric surgery.
- Multivitamins. While technically not a medication, almost every person post-bariatric surgery will be recommended a multivitamin to take in order to prevent nutrient deficiencies, as the initial bariatric diet is quite restrictive.
At the end of the day, it is important to follow your doctor’s orders and advice since they know you and your situation best.