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Nutrition and daily life

Leukemia and COPD / asthma

Breathlessness can make eating hard; small energy-dense portions may help.

Last updated: ~1 min read
Small plate.
Figure 1.Breathing and eating.

01Short answer

Rest before meals. Cut fizzy and very salty food. Do not drink a lot while eating.

02Simple explanation

Small portions.

Rest before eating.

Fizzy — less.

Fluids apart.

03Scientific explanation

NHS: small frequent meals can help breathlessness.

ESPEN: nutrition support matters in lung disease.

Smoking is not advised.

04What happens in the body?

Why it matters

A full stomach can worsen breathing.

Nutrition direction

Soft calorie snacks: egg, yogurt, compote.

With leukemia treatment

If infection risk is high, follow food safety.

Questions for your team

Oxygen while eating? Which snacks?

When two diets clash

One condition's diet can conflict with another's: for example, leukemia needs energy and protein while another illness may call for limits. In such cases the haematologist, the specialist and a dietitian should decide together — don't add restrictions on your own.

Medicines and food

Some foods interact with medicines (for example, grapefruit changes blood levels of several drugs). Steroids can raise blood sugar. Talk to a pharmacist before starting a new food or supplement.

05Four steps

Two teams, one plan, moderation, follow-up.

1Two doctorsHaematology + other.
2One planNo clashes.
3ModerationSalt/sugar/calories.
4Follow-upWeight and labs.
SaferShared plan.
FittingDiet.
ClearQuestions.

06Brief

TopicNote
DirectionSoft calorie snacks: egg, yogurt, compote.
TogetherIf infection risk is high, follow food safety.
QuestionsOxygen while eating? Which snacks?

07Key terms

COPD
Chronic lung disease.
Asthma
Airway sensitivity.
Energy snack
Small but rich.
Diaphragm
Breathing muscle.

08Key points

  • Two teams.
  • One plan.
  • No personal dosing.
  • Do not stop treatment.
  • Write questions down.
  • Diets clash — the doctors decide together.

09Frequently asked questions

Does this diet treat leukemia?

No.

Who decides?

Haematologist and the other doctor together.

Change doses myself?

No.

Will food cure this condition and leukemia?

No. Food supports treatment but does not cure illness.

Who should plan my diet?

Your haematologist, the doctor for the other condition and a dietitian together.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Does this diet treat leukemia?

  2. Who decides?

  3. Change doses myself?

  4. Will food cure this condition and leukemia?

  5. Who should plan my diet?

My questions

12Sources

  1. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Diet Guidelines for Immunosuppressed Patients
  2. CDC. Safer Food Choices for People With Weakened Immune Systems
  3. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  4. NHS. Food safety
  5. World Health Organization. Healthy diet fact sheet
  6. U.S. FDA. Food Safety: What You Need to Know
  7. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Food Safety During Cancer Treatment
  8. American Cancer Society. Nutrition for People with Cancer
  9. ESPEN. ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical Nutrition in cancer (2021)
  10. USDA. FoodData Central
  11. World Health Organization. Guideline: Sugars intake for adults and children
  12. World Health Organization. Salt reduction
  13. U.S. FDA. Grapefruit Juice and Some Drugs Don't Mix
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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