Other interesting aspects
Nutrition
Some patients experience nutrition problems related to the loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and mouth sores. Some patients complain that food tastes differently or that they have a dry mouth, which can in turn affect their diet.
A good diet is implied by maintaining the sufficient calories and proteins to prevent weight loss and recover strength. Patients undergoing treatment that maintain a healthy diet, often feel better and posses s a greater energy, which helps to reduce the side effects caused by treatment.
It is normal for patients to take advice from doctors, nurses and dietary specialists, regarding the rules about their diet.
For more information:
• "Nutrition in the treatment of cancer", resource of the National Cancer Institute
• "Food and Nutrition" - Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Fitness tips for patients
The muscles in our body are easily prone to deterioration when we are inactive. For this reason, it is important that the patient tries to keep his physical activity to a maximum.
To achieve this, it is recommended that they undertake a series of gentle exercises every day and, whenever possible, get up and walk about; although patients frequently need to rest, it is much better to make a little effort, since by walking, their body as a whole will benefit from exercise, their circulation will improve and their environment will change.
It is extremely important that family members get involved, encouraging the patient and reminding them of the importance of exercise, while motivating them to get better, since their energy levels will vary from day to day.
Bear in mind that the situation of every patient is different and the exercises, both in terms of intensity and the number of repetitions (between 10 and 15, as a suggestion) will need to be varied for each individual. If it is not possible to do them every day, they can be done on alternate days, although always keeping the patient active.
The following explains a series of exercises that can be used in different cases.
Download this page of exercises (PDF 839 kb spanish)
Download the DiR Foundation exercise programme (PDF 1.237 kb)
Lying down:
When patients are lying down all day, they can suffer from problems such as bad circulation, ulcers owing to poor blood pressure, muscular atrophy, stiffness and tenseness, all of which are in keeping with a general situation of discomfort and powerlessness.
- Reactivating blood circultation:
Lift your arms towards the roof with you elbows extended, then open and close your hands.
In the same position, make circles with your arms in both directions.
With your legs bent and the heels of your feet supported on the bed, make flex-extensions with your feet (move them up and down without lifting your legs).
In the same position, make circles with your legs in both directions.
- Relaxing strained eyes which can cause headaches (do not lift your head during these exercises: slide or turn it without losing the support point):
With your eyes fixed on the ceiling, move your head from left to right.
With your head fixed towards the ceiling, move your eyes from side to side.
With your eyes fixed on the ceiling, move your head up and down.
With your head fixed towards the ceiling, move your eyes up and down.
- Keeping your muscles toned (all movement helps your circulation):
With your legs stretched out, place a towel on the mattress beneath one of your knees. Exert pressure upon the towel with your knee and hold for a few seconds (without lifting your leg), press, hold and rest... Then repeat with the other leg.
Move your arm while pressing against it with the other, for example bending your elbow, bringing the stretched arm out towards your ear and separating your arm from your body on the mattress.
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With one leg bent, rest your foot on the bed, stretch out the other leg and make circles in the air.
- Propioception exercises:
Massage the soles of your feet with cream (moisturising cream is suitable)
Roll a tennis ball over the sole of your foot. Then do the same with the other.
- Stretches:
Make movements to stretch your body.
Lying down, with the soles of your feet on the bed and your knees bent, gently exert pressure so that your spine is completely supported on the mattress. Push your chin down and stick it out (this is how to stretch the area around the neck) and stretch your spine (imagine that a thread is drawing the crown of your head towards the wall behind you, as if you wanted to grow).
Stretch the muscles in your arms and legs, each one as much as possible.
- Posture adjustments to avoid ulcers caused by bad blood pressure:
Lie on different sides, face up, sit down for a little while, or even stand up (but only if you feel able to do so).
Sitting down:
- Move your feet:
Up and down with your heels on the floor.
Draw circles with your heels on the floor.
- Move your legs:
With your leg bent, lift your knee and then rest, supporting your foot on the ground. Then repeat with the other leg.
Do the same with your leg stretched out.
Open, separating your leg with the bent knee. Then with the other leg.
Repeat with your leg stretched out
Make circles with your leg bent.
Make circles with your leg stretched.
Bear in mind that the exercises will be harder with your leg stretched out.
Standing up:
- Stand by the wall so that if at any time you do lose your balance, you can steady yourself.
Stand on your tiptoes.
Put all your weight onto your heels.
Balance on one leg, and then on the other.
Walking:
- Walk from one end of the room to the other (if you are able to go out into the corridor, this is better as you will have more space).
- Walk while balancing your arms.
Walk while lifting your knees with each step.
Walk while lifting your knees to your rear.
Walk sideways, first to one side, and then to the other.
Physiotherapist: Lucía González
