Cancer patients (especially patients with advanced cancer) will be affected by the illness or side effects of drugs, resulting in insufficient nutritional intake. Some patients have difficulty eating because of severe oral ulcer, which can be slightly improved by eating liquid food and other dietary changes; However, if some patients suffer from cancer related to the gastrointestinal tract, or have undergone gastrointestinal surgery, and fail to absorb nutrition through the digestive system, they should be given intravenous nutrition therapy and directly input nutrient solution into the body.
Many patients and their families mistakenly believe that intravenous nutrition infusion must be carried out in the hospital, and patients need to be hospitalized all the time, which makes some patients with advanced cancer who are eager to go home for care have resistance to intravenous nutrition infusion. However, nutritional intake directly affects physical condition. Imagine that the lack of continuous energy supply and necessary nutrients will not only lead to malnutrition and weight loss, but also damage the body's resistance and resilience, affecting the progress and effect of treatment, and the side effects and pain in the treatment process cannot be alleviated.
So if the pain is controlled and the symptoms are stable, the patient can go home. In fact, they can choose to continue to receive intravenous nutrition infusion at home and spend precious time with their relatives at home, which is also an important part of palliative care for advanced patients.
(Image taken from YouTube: HKIOC micro-movie "Fortunately. At home ")
Home intravenous nutrition infusion is popular in Europe and America, and it is also used in Asia including Hong Kong. General nutrient solution basically contains amino acids, lipids, glucose, different electrolytes and so on. Because cancer patients need more protein in their daily nutritional intake, they can choose nutrient solution with high protein content, which will also help to maintain physical strength and improve the quality of life of patients with advanced cancer.
As for the setting of intravenous injection device and the replacement of patient's nutrient solution package, nurses can come to serve patients, and patients and their families need not worry too much about it.
Of course, intravenous nutrition therapy is risky, and the most common problem is infection. Therefore, the injection site should be kept clean and dry, and the nurse who comes to the door will also evaluate the injection site for the patient and pay attention to whether there is redness, swelling and burning pain. The patient's blood sugar level is another place to pay attention to, because the glucose in the nutrient solution is directly injected into the body, and hyperglycemia may occur if the infusion speed is too fast, but the medical staff will closely monitor the situation and discuss the most suitable infusion plan with the patient.
Many patients with advanced cancer want to stay at home to recuperate and receive palliative care in a familiar environment accompanied by their families. If cancer patients have nutritional problems and need intravenous nutrition treatment, after doctor's evaluation, home infusion is a worthy choice. Patients may wish to consult the attending doctor if they have relevant questions.
Dr.cai tiancheng
Clinical oncologist