Cancer Diet: Feasting on the Four Food Groups - A Mesothelioma Patient's Guide to Nutrition

by: Maggie Kay


At some point during our childhood we have all been told to eat our vegetables. Forcing down tasteless green beans and brussels sprouts were supposed to make us taller and stronger. Well, so it is for mesothelioma patients. Diet is often an overlooked subject for cancer patients, but eating the right nutritional foods for strength and energy is just as important as taking the proper medication.

Mesothelioma patients undergoing treatment must follow a special cancer diet devised by their nutritionists. Cancer diets involve eating the correct amounts of protein and calories as well as drinking the right amount of water to keep the ailing body replenished and energized. The body needs plenty of nourishment when it is going through chemotherapy or even when the patient is taking certain medications.

Doctors and nutritionists may also recommend a special cancer diet because many mesothelioma patients tend to lose their appetites due to worry over their condition. Also, those who are undergoing treatment may choose not to eat because of the unpleasant side effects they may experience. Chemotherapy, for example, and even some particular medications may cause an imbalance of nutrients that must be corrected in order to keep the body as strong as possible and to keep the patient from losing an excessive amount of weight. Other side effects of mesothelioma treatment include nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, a change in the sense of smell or taste, and/or constipation.

Below are some of the important nutrients patients are encouraged to include in their mesothelioma diet:

Protein is important for any cancer patient because it helps repair tissue damaged by surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Protein also helps maintain a strong and healthy immune system, lowering a mesothelioma patient’s risk of infection after aggressive cancer treatments. The National Cancer Institute recommends increasing protein in a cancer diet with cheese, milk, ice cream, yoghurt, eggs, nuts, peanut butter, meats and fish.

Fats are an essential part of the cancer diet because they supply the body with the necessary energy it needs while undergoing treatment. The amount of fats (meaning the number of calories) a cancer diet should consist of is dependent on a mesothelioma patient’s age and body size. The National Cancer Institute recommends increasing caloric intake with such foods as butter, milk, cheese, honey, sugar, granola and dried fruits.

Water is another essential element of the cancer diet. Without a substantial amount of water, the body will dehydrate. It is important that anyone undergoing cancer treatment receive enough water to keep their bodies hydrated and replenished.
The details of every patient’s mesothelioma diet will vary. Some patients will need to incorporate more fat into their diets, while others may need more protein. It is important that patients devise a cancer diet under the guidance of their doctor and nutritionist to ensure that they receive the proper amount of nutrients to improve their quality of life.



About The Author

Maggie Kay is a freelance writer from Montreal and is the head researcher and content manager of www.maacenter.org.
info@maacenter.org

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4 Steps To Choose A Great Mesothelioma Cancer Attorney

by: Darrell Cochran

Choosing the best asbestos cancer attorney can make the difference between a long drawn out case with limited compensation and a quick recovery and great compensation.

1. Interview at least 3 attorneys

Some attorneys will not charge you up front but will take a percentage of the proceeds.

There will be a variance in the percentage each attorney takes from the proceeds.

This can vary from 20-50 percent of the compensation.

2. Experience of the attorney

Just because an asbestos lawyer receives a higher percentage of proceeds does not mean they are the most experienced.

Find out the number of years they have been practicing and ask for referrals.

3. Accomplishments of the attorney

Have them show you examples of suits they have won, because this will help you decide if they have the experience.

4. Will the attorney you interview be the one to represent you

Some asbestos law firms will have their lead attorney interview and then turn you over to a less experienced associate.

In conclusion, use these guidelines and you will save yourself and your family a lot of frustration, time and money. Interview, check experience, check accomplishments and be sure who is representing you.





About The Author :
Darrell Cochran
Not only have I studied litigation but have been through a number of cases and depositions in my own life, with my family and friends.
Please feel free to look at more comprehensive information on the subject of asbestos mesothelioma cancer on my website: http://www.Asbestos-Mesothelioma-Cancer.com

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Mesothelioma

by: Nick Johnson


Everyone is probably aware that people are able to develop an illness or even cancer from exposure to harmful chemicals. But did you know, people come in contact with these chemicals in the workplace without their knowledge? The type of cancer developed from these harmful chemicals, asbestos, is called Mesothelioma. Continual exposure to asbestos in the workplace causes cancer cells to form in the body. This cancer generally affects the lungs, but in some instances, the cancer is able to develop in the abdominal cavity of the heart.

Many people question why asbestos is so harmful to people if it is comprised of minerals that naturally appear within the environment. The reason why it is pernicious is quite simple; Asbestos causes an unnatural and harmful reaction within the body. Unlike other minerals found in the environment, the minerals that comprise asbestos are unaffected by fire and heat. They do not dissolve, evaporate into the air, nor contain an odor. In addition, the minerals in asbestos are tasteless. Thus giving the harmful chemicals free range to enter your body through inhalation. For some reason, many companies avoid warning workers on the presence and danger of asbestos. Sometimes, the companies are unaware of the presence of asbestos, but most often they are negligent and flat out do not warn their workers of the dangerous chemicals that engulf the workplace. Employees unknowingly work within these environments for months or years on end, unequipped with proper protective gear. When a workplace is filled with asbestos, the threat of malignant Mesothelioma is very much present. The three ways the body is susceptible to attack from this deadly cancer are: pleural (lung), peritoneal (stomach), and pericardial (heart).

SYMPTOMS OF MESOTHELIOMA

When dealing with the symptoms associated with Mesothelioma, people should be aware warning signs may not appear until 20 years after the were unknowingly exposed to asbestos. For the three different types of Mesothelioma, Pleural, Peritoneal, and Pericardial, there are many different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma strikes the lining of the lungs and causes shortness of breath, persistent cough, and a pain that lingers in the chest. A victim of Pleural Mesothelioma may also suffer from chronic wheezing and a hoarse voice. All of these symptoms stem from excess fluid gathering in the space surrounding the lungs. When this type of cancer is sever, the development of numerous tumors may form. In time, pneumothorax (collapsing of the lungs) may occur.

Another type of this cancer develops within the lining of the abdominal cavity, Peritoneal Mesothelioma. Unlike victims of Pleural Mesothelioma, Peritoneal Mesothelioma victims experience weight loss, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, and muscle atrophy. This group of symptoms is often referred to as Cachexia. Diseases with weakened immune systems and cancer usually bring on cachexia. Similar to Pleural Mesothelioma, Peritoneal Mesothelioma also has built up fluid, although this form of the cancer has built up fluid in the stomach cavity, accompanied with abdominal swelling and pain. Additional signs that one suffers from Peritoneal Mesothelioma include: fever, anemia, bowel obstruction, and blood clotting. In late stages of the cancer, tumors may appear in the abdominal cavity.

The third type of Mesothelioma, which is Pericardial Mesothelioma, attacks the heart, as well as the lining surrounding the heart. Pericardial Mesothelioma is the most rare form of all three diseases. The symptoms of this type of cancer are somewhat similar to those of Pleural Mesothelioma, but also include chest pain, heart palpitations, and a nagging cough. Severe cases of Pericardial Mesothelioma display a different crop of symptoms. A patient may notice a yellowing of the eyes and skin. They may also experience low blood sugar levels, blood clots in the veins and arteries. Severe bleeding may also occur various organs throughout the body.

Generally, Mesothelioma related caner does not spread to other parts of the body besides, the lungs, heart, and stomach, but in some instances the disease will breach other parts of the human body (i.e. brain, bone, or adrenal glands). When spreading of the disease occurs, additional signs and symptoms may appear. These include but are not limited to: excessive pain, trouble swallowing, and swelling of the neck and/or face.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma related cancer or suspect you may have Mesothelioma related cancer then please do not hesitate to contact Nick Johnson at http://www.johnsonlawgroup.com.




About The Author

Being born and raised in Houston, TX, Attorney Nick Johnson proudly serves the community that helped him to where he is today. Johnson attended Duke University, where he graduated and received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. After attending Duke, Johnson went on to graduate from the University of Houston Law Center. In 1991, he formed the law firm that became JBC, L.L.P Law Firm. Now leading the Johnson Law Group, Johnson practices in all areas of personal injury law, specializing in Mesothelioma related Cancer. In addition, he also handles cases involving nursing home negligence, paxil side effects, and auto-accidents. Johnson has also been actively representing thousands of clients in mass tort cases and severely injured plaintiffs in accident cases.

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