Lifestyle Changes For Neuroendocrine Tumors

For some people with neuroendocrine tumors, treatment may remove or destroy cancer. When you are about to complete the treatment, it might be exciting however the course of treatment can be equally daunting. The treatment does not end with the therapies and drugs but follow-up care is more crucial because it should not make its occurrence again. The relapse of the tumor is very common if you have had cancer.

However, in certain cases, it becomes impossible to remove cancer completely. So, these patients had to survive with chemotherapy, radiation or other forms of treatment to keep cancer in check. Living with this condition is often stressful and unbearable.

From diet to exercise to place yourself amid a good support network, you can do plenty of things to help yourself feel better when you have a neuroendocrine tumor.

When you are diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumors, you often face issues such as general protein-energy deficiency, nutrition problems due to surgery, malnutrition and chronic diarrhea and excess metabolism issues. Lifestyle changes are pretty favorable for patients in the very early diagnostic stage however it becomes somewhat complicated when patients in the advanced stages are undergoing surgical intervention.

When carcinoid patients look for dietary changes, the carcinoid specialist often recommends for diets based on their symptoms. Irrespective of your preferences, lifestyle modifications can extend a long way to keep your mind and body healthy.

If you have been diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor or carcinoid syndrome, you may be experiencing symptoms such as hypo and hyperglycemia, diarrhea, persistent pain in the stomach and other related areas, loss of appetite or weight loss and few others. For these patients, improper eating habits can trigger the symptoms and worsen the situation especially meals like:

• Heavy and high-fat meals
• Wine and cheese
• Preservatives
• Spicy foods

Particularly food containing moderate to high amounts of amines.¹

But people often wonder why they should avoid the above-mentioned foods when they are suffering from this condition?

Alcohols have the potential to trigger problems like flushing skin, painful gas and bloating, or severe diarrhea. Similarly, cheese and chocolates can aggravate pain. Foods that have a higher concentration of amines can trigger the pressure levels of blood and eventually resulting in hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.

There are diets that naturally contain elevated amounts of histamine, tyramine and biogenic amines. Foods that contain amines are aged cheese (cheddar, blue, brie, parmesan, gouda, gruyere, swiss and some mozzarella), all types of alcohol, smoked, cured and salted fish and pickles, meat and yeast extracts, and fermented foods (Sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, miso, tempeh, soy sauce, and shrimp paste)

Therefore, doctors suggest that change in diet can bring positive changes to your lifestyle when you diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumors.²

So, what is the solution and how to remove the amines and stay on top of your health?

Maintain A Food Diary- If your doctor suggests that amines can trigger symptoms for your condition, then maintain a log that contains detailed information on amine foods what to eat and what to avoid. Observe the pattern and make modifications to your diet accordingly

Try Natural Therapies- There is plenty of health and wellness programs available. Get actively involved in such programs, share your thoughts and difficulties that can definitely help you in reducing your pain and stress.

• They can improve cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, body composition, fatigue, anxiety and depression
• Maintaining a healthy weight may reduce the risk of recurrences of many types of tumors
• It helps wounds and damaged tissues recover much faster. This is often crucial after therapies and medications particularly surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or other medical treatment.
• Have better tolerance concerning treatment side effects.³

References:

Also Read:

• What Is A Low-Grade Neuroendocrine Tumor & Are Neuroendocrine Tumors Always Cancerous?
• Home Remedies For Neuroendocrine Tumors
• How Long Will It Take To Recover From Neuroendocrine Tumors & How Long Does The Symptoms Last?
• What Are the Ways To Prevent Neuroendocrine Tumors?
• What Happens To Untreated Neuroendocrine Tumors & When To Go To Doctor?