3. Unintended Weight Loss
Cachexia is a condition that causes significant weight loss, muscle wasting, and weakness, which can occur in people with lung cancer.
Lung cancer cells require more energy than healthy cells. This leads to a higher calorie burn rate in the body even when at rest. Another reason why unintended weight loss happens in lung cancer is that the cancer cells release substances that can affect how the body uses calories from food.
2. Loss Of Appetite
The cancerous tumor in the lungs can take up space, causing pressure on the stomach, making it difficult to eat, and resulting in a loss of appetite.
Loss of appetite in individuals with lung cancer can also be attributed to cachexia. Cancer-related fatigue can cause a lack of energy and reduce the desire to eat. A diagnosis of lung cancer can cause emotional distress, leading to depression and anxiety, which can reduce the appetite.
1. Recurring Respiratory Infections
Recurring respiratory infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia are also symptoms of lung cancer. Since the immune system is weakened by cancer cells, the individual is most likely to suffer from recurring respiratory infections.
People with lung cancer may experience malnutrition due to a lack of appetite or difficulty eating, which can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of infections.
Treatments And Care
Lung cancer is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can lead to several complications if left untreated. It can spread to other parts of the body, obstruct the airways, cause weight loss and muscle wasting, and lead to pain and emotional distress.
Treating lung cancer can help eliminate cancerous cells or hinder their proliferation. It can also teach the immune system to fight cancer cells.
Hence, early detection and treatment of lung cancer are crucial to improving survival rates and quality of life.
Below are lung cancer treatments worth knowing about.
13. Proper Nutrition
Eating a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight can help improve treatment outcomes and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help boost the immune system and improve the body’s ability to fight cancer.
Proper nutrition can also help overall health and reduce the risk of other chronic diseases that may arise.
12. Herbal Supplements
Supplements can potentially be helpful in supporting lung cancer treatment but it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any of them. Vitamin D is important for immune function and may help prevent cancer progression. Some studies have shown that low levels of vitamin D are associated with poorer outcomes in lung cancer patients.
Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce inflammation in the body, which is associated with cancer progression. They may also help improve lung function in patients with lung cancer. Other supplements that may be helpful in the treatment of lung cancer are antioxidants, curcumin, and melatonin.
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