Diet & Exercise Expert Amy Thomas shares Diet & Exercise management news and commentary at MyDietExercise.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240 http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240 http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/58404/alternative Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:59:00 -0500 Amy Thomas Sometimes a person with cancer cannot properly nourish their body through eating and drinking, and their doctor may recommend alternative modes of nutritional support. If the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is functioning normally, a feeding tube is usually the best alternative to eating and drinking. But in some cases, providing nutrition via the GI tract is not an option.  In these situations, your doctor may recommend parenteral... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/58404/alternative http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/57319/appetite Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:48:00 -0500 Amy Thomas It's hard enough getting any three year old to eat, but parents of children with cancer face a special challenge ensuring their child is getting adequate calories each day. In addition to natural childhood stubbornness about food, treatment side effects like poor appetite, mouth sores, dry mouth, taste changes, and nausea can all affect a child's willingness and ability to eat. But rather than turning the kitchen into a battlefield, there are... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/57319/appetite http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/52417/nutrition Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:47:00 -0500 Amy Thomas While most cancer patients will have trouble getting adequate nourishment, children with cancer are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition. In addition to maintenance calorie requirements, kids need additional calories for growth and development. They also typically have less calorie reserve in their body to help them through times of illness. Combined with variable phases of picky eating seen in most children with or without illness, these... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/52417/nutrition http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/52415/american Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:43:00 -0500 Amy Thomas The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) recently introduced a new diet approach to help people lower their risk for cancer and other chronic diseases while managing their weight at the same time. In lieu of any complex calculations or rigid dietary restrictions, the "New American Plate" offers a simple way to adjust serving portions on your plate as needed to maintain good health. The goal is to increase your intake of vegetables,... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/52415/american http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/52016/water-safety Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:15:04 -0500 Amy Thomas All drinking water (even bottled water) contains microscopic parasites that can cause diarrhea, fever, and additional gastrointestinal complications. While most people can generally tolerate small amounts of these contaminants without getting sick, some may be more vulnerable to developing illness from drinking water-including people with cancer receiving chemotherapy, and especially those undergoing bone marrow transplantation. If you have a... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/52016/water-safety http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/49587/taking-bones Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:15:01 -0500 Amy Thomas Healthy bones can be the key to good health and happiness. Consider what you couldn't do without strong, healthy bones. No running, walking, jumping, bending, gardening, dancing, or holding a baby. So it's important to take good care of your bones, especially when you're being treated for cancer. Cancer medications, particularly steroid agents, can weaken your bones, especially in the first six to twelve months of treatment. In fact, up to... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/49587/taking-bones http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/46434/caffeine Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:14:17 -0400 Amy Thomas Caffeine, a naturally occurring substance found in the leaves, seeds, or fruits of many plants, is the most popular drug in the world today. From the soothing aroma of a freshly brewed pot of coffee, to the much needed jolt from downing a Red Bull, millions of people rely on the stimulating effects of caffeine to get through the day. But is it really good for us? Extensive research on the safety of caffeine indicates that moderate... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/46434/caffeine http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/43978/swallow-tube Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:12:09 -0400 Amy Thomas When someone is aspirating food and drink, and they don't improve with exercises or drink thickeners, their doctor may recommend they don't take anything by mouth. The person may then need to obtain primary nourishment from an enteral feeding tube, or "g-tube." (see my previous blog at http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/19541/talk-tube).   But for most of us, eating is a major source of pleasure. While it's reasonable... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/43978/swallow-tube http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/41414/2-thickeners Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:43:28 -0400 Amy Thomas My last post discussed the evaluation of dysphagia, aspiration, and the modified barium swallow examination. This post covers thickeners, which can be beneficial for a select group of people who have trouble swallowing.   When someone aspirates (breathes in) regular liquids, but their swallowing improves with thicker consistencies, their doctor will typically recommend thickening drinks to a consistency tolerated without aspirating.... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/41414/2-thickeners http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/40379/dysphagia Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:43:14 -0400 Amy Thomas   Difficulty swallowing, also called dysphagia, can occur in cancer patients for many reasons, particularly in those receiving chemotherapy and radiation for head and neck cancer. Conditions or treatments that damage the muscles and nerves that control swallowing can lead to dysphagia, and this damage occasionally leads to an increased risk of aspirating food, drink, or stomach acid into the airway and lungs. If you've been treated for... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/26240/40379/dysphagia