Photo: Thirdman

Does prostate cancer make you hungry?

Many men with advanced prostate cancer lose interest in food, have little appetite, and become unable to eat.

everydayhealth.com - 7 Symptoms of Advanced Prostate Cancer and How to Manage Them

Where does prostate cancer spread to?

Prostate cancer can spread to any part of the body, but most commonly to the bones and lymph nodes. Lymph nodes (sometimes called lymph glands) are...

Last updated May 13, 2018

Are blueberries anti-estrogen?

Epidemiological studies have associated decreased risk of several diseases with increased intake of fruits and vegetables. Our previous studies...

Last updated Sep 27, 2021

Promotion

2. Fatigue

Cancer-related fatigue is much more than sleepiness or feeling drowsy. You may still feel tired after sleep or a nap, and your lack of energy can keep you from normal activities, according to UCLA Health. You may have trouble thinking, concentrating, or finding the right words. Certain cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, can cause fatigue. Anxiety, stress, and changes in your diet or sleep patterns can make it worse. There are many steps you can take to manage fatigue, according to UCLA Health. Rest, but don’t stay in bed or sit in chair for more than you need to. Too much rest can actually zap your energy. Try to add activity to your days. Although it may seem counterintuitive, moving more can give you energy. Keep a regular sleep schedule and don’t take long naps — keep them 40 minutes or less.

Stay hydrated.

Ask for help from a friend or family member with activities and chores that you find tiring or difficult to complete. Do light exercise if it feels helpful and your oncologist approves it — staying active can actually reduce fatigue and help you get better sleep. In some cases, your fatigue may be the result of anemia, which can occur as a side effect of chemotherapy, UCLA Health says. Other than fatigue, symptoms of anemia may include dizziness, being very pale, headaches, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, and an elevated heart rate.

3. Loss of Libido and Erectile Dysfunction

The hormones that are often used to treat advanced prostate cancer can decrease libido and cause erectile dysfunction (ED), which occurs when a man isn’t able to have or keep an erection to have sex, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, New York. As a result, for couples, “there’s a real struggle to recover that sense of life together — how to be intimate without having sex,” says Michael J. Morris, MD, an oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Depending on the type of treatment that caused the ED, the ability to have an erection may improve over time, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center. You and your partner may want to explore other ways to be intimate in your relationship. A sex therapist or couples counselor may be able to help. There are also treatments available for erectile dysfunction, such as medications and implants.

4. Nausea and Vomiting

How can I check my blood pressure without a machine?

To measure your pulse, you need a watch with a second hand. Place your index and middle finger of your hand on the inner wrist of the other arm,...

Last updated Apr 1, 2020

What is the well standard?

The WELL Building Standard TM is an international assessment method that encourages healthy eating choices and active lifestyles, as well as...

Last updated May 1, 2022

Imagine Your Moment Of Freedom!

Fluxactive Complete is conveniently packed with over 14 essential prostate powerhouse herbs, vitamins and grade A nutrients which work synergistically to help you support a healthy prostate faster

Learn More »

Promotion

Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of cancer treatment, especially chemotherapy, according to UCLA Health. These conditions can make you feel tired and weak. Nausea can make it difficult for you to eat. If this is the case, try eating smaller meals five or six times a day and avoid foods that are sweet, fatty, spicy, or have strong smells. If nausea is causing you to throw up, there are antinausea medications called antiemetics that can help, UCLA Health says. You should also drink as much liquid as you can to keep your body from becoming dehydrated as you lose fluids. Water, broth, and clear soft drinks are good choices.

5. Loss of Appetite

Many men with advanced prostate cancer lose interest in food, have little appetite, and become unable to eat. Fatigue, pain, and changes in your senses of taste and smell can all contribute to a lack of appetite, according to ZERO: The End of Prostate Cancer, an advocacy organization devoted to eliminating prostate cancer. The organization offers the following tips to try to help you get the nutrition you need: Try to take in more liquid through items like soup, tea, milk or milk substitutes, and sports drinks or by adding fresh fruit to your water. Eat several small meals throughout the day instead of just a few big meals.

Get more protein from high-protein smoothies, fish, egg whites, cheese, or beans.

The ACS recommends trying high-calorie foods that are easy to eat, such as pudding, ice cream, or cream-based soups, doing light exercise an hour before meals to help stimulate your appetite, and drinking liquid food supplements to help fill you up when you don’t feel like eating. A nurse or dietitian can advise you on dietary changes that can optimize your health and your oncologist can prescribe medications to alleviate nausea and boost appetite.

6. Cognitive Impairment

Some people with advanced prostate cancer experience cognitive impairment or confusion, caused either by the cancer itself or by the medications used to treat it. Others with prostate cancer may have also had dementia that became more apparent after the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Signs of confusion include sudden changes in emotions, such as feeling calm and then suddenly very angry, research suggests. You may also have trouble paying attention or concentrating, or you might forget where you are or what day it is.

How long should I lay on my back when trying to conceive?

15 minutes 4. Lay down and relax for a few minutes after sex. Standing up or going to the bathroom after sex may pull sperm away from their...

Last updated Oct 10, 2021

What foods give you testosterone?

Fatty fish. Fatty fish like salmon and sardines are rich in nutrients that are important for hormonal health, such as vitamin D, zinc, and omega-3...

Last updated Aug 18, 2021

Promotion

If you experience this, you should notify your care team. Your doctor may decide to change your medication regimen, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Brain “exercises” such as Sudoku or crossword puzzles may help.

7. Emotional Side Effects

In addition to physical symptoms and side effects, advanced prostate cancer can take a toll on your emotions. A diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer can leave you feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or depressed, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. While this is common, you shouldn’t ignore the signs that anxiety or depression is getting worse, as there are available treatments that can help. Signs of anxiety include an inability to stop worrying, persistent thinking that something terrible might happen, and an inability to sit still. Anxiety can also increase your risk for a panic attack, which causes symptoms such as feeling very tense, sweating, experiencing a racing heartbeat, having trouble catching your breath, feeling a lump in your throat, or experiencing sudden fear, the National Institute of Mental Health says. Loss of appetite, feeling hopeless or short-tempered, and sleeping too little or too much are potential signs of depression, according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might lose interest in what were once favorite activities or become unexpectedly tearful without warning. If you’re feeling any of these emotions, be sure to talk to your doctor, who can prescribe medication for anxiety and depression and might also recommend that you see a therapist to talk about your feelings.

everydayhealth.com - 7 Symptoms of Advanced Prostate Cancer and How to Manage Them

What are the 7 elements of comprehensive health wellness?

The 7 dimensions of wellness are: social, emotional, spiritual, environmental, occupational, intellectual, and physical wellbeing. May 6, 2019

Last updated Aug 5, 2018

What is no longer covered by Medicare?

Medicare doesn't cover ambulance services. most dental services. glasses, contact lenses and hearing aids. Jul 7, 2022

Last updated Jun 11, 2020

Imagine Your Moment Of Freedom!

Fluxactive Complete is conveniently packed with over 14 essential prostate powerhouse herbs, vitamins and grade A nutrients which work synergistically to help you support a healthy prostate faster

Learn More »

Promotion

What is turmeric and ginger good for?

Ginger helps reduce weight, lower cholesterol levels, improve brain function, solve indigestion issues, and manage period pains. Turmeric helps...

Last updated Nov 20, 2022

Promotion

At what age do men stop having prostate exams?

If you choose to have prostate cancer screening, most organizations recommend stopping around age 70 or if you develop other serious medical...

Last updated Jul 23, 2021