Treatment of liver cancer includes radiofrequency ablation, tumor excision surgery, Transarterial Chemoembolization(TACE), targeted therapy, and liver transplant. Patients of liver cancer undergoing the aforementioned treatment often experience physical weakness and weariness, poor appetite and other symptoms. Moreover, liver cancer patients could even have complications in cirrhosis. The following health care approach is commonly adopted in traditional Chinese medicine, which helps the alleviation of discomfort symptoms in patients after treatment of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
WHAT ARE THE PRECAUTIONS FOR DIET?
- Try to eat only fresh food and avoid overnight lunchbox and other spoiled food.
- Tobacco and alcohol are prohibited. Do not take over-the-counter medicine for adding burden to the liver. Unidentified black pills could contain steroid or hormones that could lead to worsening liver cancer.
- Protein intake for patients of cirrhosis:
- Patients without medical history of hepatic encephalopathy are not prohibited from protein diet but shall eat food with high calorie and low content of salt. The patients can also eat meat, fish, egg, beans, and dairy products. Avoid pickled food, sausage, ham, canned food and other processed food.
- In the situation of hepatic encephalopathy, try to reduce protein diet and change to mostly rice, noodle, vegetable, and fruit.
- To avoid gastric or esophagus varicose veins, patients must chew carefully and slowly in addition to avoid the intake of excessively rough, hard, big chunks, and deep-fried food.
- Pay attention to constipation and eat more soft vegetables with fiber.
- Patients with ascites and lower-limb floating shall be strictly limited to salt intake (under 3 grams per day).
WHAT ARE THE PRECAUTIONS FOR DAILY ROUTINES?
- Maintain regular daily routines by going to bed and getting up early, and avoid staying up at night. Patients are suggested to take more rest and do not get to tired.
- Optimism: Pleasant mood will favor the immunity of the body. It is inevitable to feel depressed emotionally after the cancer. Patients are advised to talk to friends and connect with people. They are also advised to schedule travel in order to relax physically and mentally, which will help them change the mentality.
- Proper exercise: Proper aerobic exercises are recommended under relaxation, such as walking, biking and playing badminton. Exercise for 30~45 minutes until slightly sweating. Exercise can enhance the cardiovascular function and boost immunity, thereby relieve the stress.
- Do not massage patients with cirrhosis and abnormal coagulation.
HEALTHY COOKING, HEALTH TEA DRINKS (EXAMPLE)
- Sour Broccoli and Cauliflower
- Ingredients: Broccoli and cauliflower 100 gram each, sweet pepper 50 grams, and oil 2 tablespoon
- Seasoning: oyster sauce 1 teaspoon, sugar ½ teaspoon, rice vinegar 1 tablespoon, white pepper powder ¼ teaspoon.
- Steps: Cut the broccoli and cauliflower into small florets, dice sweet pepper and blanch together in boiled water, and then remove from the wok. Add oil to the pan and stir from the broccoli and cauliflower, and sweet pepper. Add seasoning and turn to high heat and stir fry quickly to mix well before serving.
- Bergamot Rose Tea
- Ingredients: Bergamot 9 grams and rose 6 grams.
- Steps: Brew with water and serve as tea.
- Liver Drinks: including rhodiola, astragalus root, Chinese wolfberry, ligustrum seed and other Chinese medicine, prepared by the Department of Chinese medicine. This drink benefits the qi and nourishes the yin, which is effective for patients experiencing weakness and weariness after disease.