Shifting to conscious control: psychosocial and dietary management of anorexia by patients with advanced cancer.
(2007)
Journal - Palliative medicine (England )
Abstract :
The psychosocial strategies used by advanced cancer patients to manage anorexia are poorly described. A greater understanding of them may guide clinicians to provide appropriate interventions to patients and caregivers. METHODS: Glaserian Grounded Theory was used to recruit and analyse data from two women and seven men with advanced cancer suffering from anorexia. They were interviewed about the emotional and social impact of appetite loss and the strategies that they used to compensate for reduced food intake. RESULTS: Shifting to conscious control (overeating) was the basic social psychological process employed by participants to manage the emotional and social consequences of declining intake. Although a number of symptoms were found to contribute, nausea or the anticipation of emesis provoked by food was most commonly named as the ultimate barrier to eating. DISCUSSION: Participants retained the motivation and ability to eat without appetite, providing the intake of food did not provoke nausea or the anticipation of emesis. Nutritional interventions must be tailored around patients' eating capabilities. Counselling and education programmes that assist family members in understanding the shift to conscious control over eating are required.
| ISSN : | 0269-2163 |
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| Mesh Heading : | Anorexia Appetite Eating Female Humans Male Neoplasms Vomiting psychology psychology psychology |
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| Mesh Heading Relevant : | Adaptation, Psychological diet therapy etiology complications diet therapy |
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The management of anorexia by patients with advanced cancer: a critical review of the literature.
(2006)
Journal - Palliative medicine (England )
Abstract :
This report presents the results of a critical review of the literature on the experience of anorexia (loss of appetite) by patients with advanced cancer. Although several studies have investigated this experience, the adaptive strategies used by patients to compensate for appetite loss remain poorly elucidated. Based on the small body of extant research, it was concluded that, in many instances, a gap exists between the ability of patients and caregivers to come to terms and deal realistically with the emotional and social consequences of patient anorexia. Patients generally appear to suffer greater discord as a result of this disparity, than from the direct psychological impact of anorexia. A greater understanding of the management of anorexia by patients is essential for the development of dietary and psychosocial interventions that would aid both patients and caregivers to cope with this common symptom.
| ISSN : | 0269-2163 |
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| Mesh Heading : | Adaptation, Psychological Anorexia Appetite Stimulants Caregivers Humans Neoplasms Stress, Psychological Weight Loss etiology therapeutic use etiology |
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| Mesh Heading Relevant : | Terminally Ill therapy complications |
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