Nutritionist+and+Dietitian

= Nutritionist / Dietitian =

During the cancer treatment (specifically post surgery) the patient may encounter many eating problems. These can include, dry mouth (xerostomia), fatique, nausea, throat problems (mucositis; often caused by radiation therapy), diarrhea, constipation, blistering of the mouth, vomiting and loss of appetite. These effects can often make it especially difficult not only to eat but also to feel hungry (taste aversion)(Oral Cancer foundation Inc., 2001-2010). During the treatment however it is very important for the body to eat, as it needs energy to combat the fight against the cancerous cells. Therefore the nutritionists/ dietitians make sure that the patients continue to receive a good amount of food to keep their weight at an adequate level. If the patient is not able to take in any food orally after the surgery, they can be fed through PEG tubes, or nasal feeding tubes, to maintain their nutritional intake (Doyle, et. al, 2006). Others who continue to feed orally will be given advice by the nutritionist on what nutrients are most important for their wellbeing and the dietician will often be the person administering the types of food and how they are fed to the client. A nutritionist may for example suggest certain supplements and specific foods which will keep up the clients energy, where as the dietician will be looking at ways of feeding the patient, and what the patient is allowed to eat in terms of consistencies and processing.



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