Does chemo cause weight gain?

Do you know that chemotherapy is a treatment administered to cancer patients? Yeah, I’m sure you do! But did you also know that one of its side effects is weight gain? Contrary to what some people believe, not every cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy will experience weight gain (thank goodness). In this article, we’ll take a look at the reasons why some patients may gain weight during treatment and explore ways to manage it.

What causes Weight Gain in Chemotherapy Patients?

Weight gain can occur due to various reasons ranging from fluid retention as a result of poor lymphatic drainage, hormonal imbalances brought about by medication or reduced physical activity while on treatment. Let’s see them in detail:

Poor Lymphatic Drainage

Chemotherapy sometimes causes damage to the blood vessels which impairs their normal functioning leading to increased fluid build-up causing puffiness and swelling around your body parts like legs, abdomen (watermelon belly anyone?), arms among others

Hormonal Imbalances

Hormonal imbalance as a side effect of steroid medications given during chemotherapy contributes significantly towards uncontrolled hunger pangs resulting in overindulging and eventual excessive weight-gaining

Reduced Physical Activity

Due to weakness or fatigue as part of adverse reactions associated with chemotherapy treatments; hence most patients tend little or no energy for exercise.

These factors combined can trigger unwanted changes into your routine which could lead up-to ideal circumstances where your diets are altered because Starbucks frappuccinos tastes fantastic, oh I got carried away there.

Managing Weight Gain During Chemotherapy Treatment

Although there’s little control over how the human body reacts when subjected under chemotherapy treatments regarding nutrition intake – i.e., retain more food instead of disposing rapidly with speedy metabolism; however key measures should be taken while ensuring healthy habits maintained throughout the whole process:

Altering Your Diet Habits

Nutrition-based health patterns impact[1] not only over physiological stress but also develop a sound healthy mindset that’s good to stimulate some sort of energy into the body in this challenging time. Some tips could involve:

• Reducing sugary foods and drinks: due to sugar serving its almost insuppressible cravings, it’s crucial mainly when weight gain is anticipated during chemotherapy treatment; introducing lower glycemic alternatives such as fruits and vegetables would become much more feasible.

• Eating protein-rich food servings instead of fats which accumulate quite quickly within human bodies.

Thinking back on your attempts at fasting because you never saw signs yet stupidly went for full-fat ice-cream right after.

Exercise

Activity will help to prevent muscle mass loss and similarly maintain one’s balance, retaining a decent physical posture along with overall fitness.. Walking mostly can be an efficient viable option since there isn’t any vigorous routine or equipment necessary.

Pro tip: Once patients build up their volumes for long distances (2–3 miles), they find themselves burning calories and eventually shedding pounds even though remaining hydrated throughout from consuming enough fluids remains mandatory.

Mindful Eating Checklist:

A proper mindful eating checklist goes hand-in-hand concerning everything associated with maintaining optimal dietary standards alongside cutting-edge food selection specifications:

Food	Yes	No
Omega-3 fatty acid thoughtfully soaked salmon	X
Magnesium enriched leafy-green salad	X	_
Mangoes		X

Thus it becomes clear that maintaining effective checklists progressively contributes significantly in identifying required substances stimulating vitamin-E factor intakes those foreign towards unrequired steps like Mango(while ironically hair salons still have ‘Mango tango’ hairstyles in their catalogs)

Remember to Stay Hydrated

Frequent drinks are recommended since chemotherapy increases dehydration levels. It makes you easily tired, lightheaded or dizzy.

Definition of Watermelon belly(As Mentioned Earlier):

It refers to abdominal swelling like a watermelon, and it is usually as a result of lymphatic drainage problems caused by chemotherapy.

Conclusion

While weight gain can happen during pursuit of chemotherapeutic effectiveness; creating informed lifestyle changes maintains overall quality-of-life even in times such as these which offers much-needed positivity inducing the right mentalities towards physical wellbeing.

Take care!