Palliative care aims to improve the comfort and quality of life of patients with life-threatening diseases. Nutrition is very important in this care process to maintain the health of patients and alleviate symptoms. In this article, we will provide detailed information on how palliative care patients should eat.
Palliative care is a comprehensive approach that aims to improve the quality of life of patients with life-threatening diseases. Nutrition plays a vital role in this process. It can have a direct impact on the course of the disease, the patient’s general health and quality of life. Proper planning of nutrition contributes to strengthening the patient’s immune system, increasing energy levels and alleviating the effects of the disease.
Many palliative care patients experience problems such as loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting due to side effects of treatment. This can lead to weight loss and weakness. At this point, proper nutritional management can help patients cope with these negative effects and maintain their quality of life.
The diet of palliative care patients should be personalized. A nutritional plan should be created by taking into account factors such as the patient’s age, stage of the disease, metabolic status, appetite and whether there are any dietary restrictions. In this plan, care should be taken to ensure that the protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins and minerals needed by the patient are taken in a balanced way.
Palliative care patients may need to avoid certain foods and drinks. In particular, it is important to avoid foods that are difficult to digest, upset the stomach and may have a negative impact on general health.
Fluid intake is an important part of nutrition in palliative care. Adequate fluid intake is essential for the healthy functioning of the body’s organs and to maintain hydration. Patients may often neglect fluid intake due to loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing. This increases the risk of dehydration, which can worsen the patient’s overall health.
In palliative care, methods that facilitate the feeding process and do not disturb the patient should be preferred to overcome the patient’s anorexia. First of all, small and frequent meals should be organized; the patient should not lose his/her appetite in the face of large portions. The appearance, smell and presentation of food are effective in increasing appetite, so care should be taken to present food in a colorful and attractive way. Soft and easily digestible foods allow the patient to eat without difficulty. In addition, high-calorie and nutritious foods (yogurt, purees, soups) can be chosen to get more energy from a smaller amount of food. Drinks should not be forgotten; liquids such as herbal teas and freshly squeezed fruit juices that the patient likes can help to stimulate appetite between meals.
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Palliative care patients may experience loss of appetite due to factors such as the course of their illness, medications, pain and psychological stress. During this process, nausea, difficulty swallowing and digestive problems can also negatively affect appetite.
High-calorie and protein-rich, soft and easily digestible foods should be preferred.
The fluid requirement of the patient should be determined individually. An average daily fluid intake of 1.5-2 liters is recommended.
Fatty, fried, overly spicy foods, acidic and carbonated drinks, high sugar foods and hard/raw foods should be avoided. These foods can cause digestive problems and stomach upsets.
The nutrition plan should be individually tailored, taking into account the patient’s general health status, stage of the disease, appetite and swallowing ability. The focus should be on high-protein and high-calorie, soft and easily consumable foods. A dietitian or nutritionist should be consulted in the development of the nutrition plan.
For patients with swallowing difficulties, liquid and pureed foods should be preferred. Foods should be made soft by passing them through a blender and presented in a consistency that the patient can swallow easily. In addition, the patient’s head should be in an upright position during the feeding process.
