Dietary care for esophageal cancer patients who vomit during chemotherapy

Bai Yong is 53 years old. One month ago, he felt chest pain and occasional hiccups. He went to the hospital for treatment and was diagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. After detailed examination, it was found that there was an enlarged lymph node of 2cm×2cm on the left clavicle. The node was hard, fixed and not tender. It was judged that metastasis had occurred, so the doctor developed a chemotherapy plan for him.

However, chemotherapy caused Mr. Bai to vomit frequently, which seriously affected his eating. Although antiemetics were used before and after each chemotherapy, the nausea would worsen every time he ate. So how should dietary care be provided for patients like Mr. Bai during chemotherapy?

Those who vomit severely should pay attention to replenishing water to prevent dehydration. They can drink fresh fruit juice and rice soup to replenish water. However, those who vomit too violently should temporarily fast and replenish nutrition through intravenous high-nutrient solution to maintain the body's needs.

Patients with general vomiting should be given easily digestible semi-liquid food, such as rice porridge, minced lean meat, noodle soup, etc., and should follow the principle of small amounts and multiple times, generally 4 to 5 times a day, to reduce the burden on the stomach and intestines. Liquid food should be gradually transitioned to soft and easily digestible food. After the symptoms disappear, ordinary food, such as steamed buns and rice, can be eaten, but it is best not to eat fiber foods and large pieces of meat.

In addition, during chemotherapy, patients can eat some acidic foods that aid digestion, such as hawthorn, red fruit jam, etc., to enhance appetite and aid digestion.