Spotting the first signs of malnutrition
- Unintentional weight loss in the past 3 – 6 months
- Feeling tired all the time
- Weak muscles
- Side effects from therapy influencing food intake, e.g. pain or dryness in mouth or throat, nausea, diarrhoea
Consequences of treatment
Nausea, loss of appetite, a change to your sense of taste and tiredness are just some of the side effects that you have to fight during the course of treatment. People often lose weight without intending to.
Ensuring the body is well supplied with energy, protein, vitamins and minerals is beneficial during this stressful phase.
Changes that influence nutritional status during cancer and cancer treatment
- Loss of appetite
- Change in your sense of taste
- Inflammation of the mucous membranes (mucositis), pain when swallowing and/or chewing
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Digestive problems, constipation or diarrhoea
- Exhaustion, tiredness and fatigue
- Depression
- Weight loss
