What is Liver Cancer? | Why does liver cancer occur? | लिवर कैंसर क्या है? | लिवर कैंसर क्यों होता है?

The liver is an important part of our body which helps to flush out the toxins from the body. The liver plays the main role in the production of bile. It helps in digesting other nutrients like vitamins, fats. People with liver cancer are at greater risk of getting 40 years of age.

Liver cancer either starts in the liver or spreads from other parts of the body in the liver. The most common Cancer of the liver through other parts is solid tumor, in which more than one million cases are diagnosed every year.

लीवर हमारे शरीर का अहम भाग है। जो कि शरीर से विषाक्त तत्वों को बाहर निकालने में मदद करता है। लीवर पित्त के उत्पादन में मुख्य भूमिका निभाता है। यह विटामिन, वसा जैसे अन्य पोषक तत्वों को पचाने में मदद करता है।  लीवर कैंसर 40 साल की उम्र के लोगों को होने का ज्यादा खतरा रहता है।

लीवर कैंसर या तो लीवर में शुरू होता है या लीवर में शरीर के अन्य अंगों से फैलता है। दूसरे भागों से होकर लीवर तक होने वाले कैंसर सबसे ज्यादा पाया जाने वाला ठोस ट्यूमर है, जिसके एक मिलियन से अधिक मामलों का हर वर्ष निदान किया जाता है।

What is Liver Cancer? 

लिवर कैंसर क्या है?

The liver is a football-shaped organ, located in the upper right part of your abdomen. Its correct position is below your diaphragm and above your abdomen.

Liver cancer starts in your liver cells and destroys them, as well as interferes with liver activities.

The most common form of liver cancer is Hepatocellular carcinoma, which starts in the main type of liver cell called a hepatocyte. Cancer can also start in other types of cells in the liver, but it is rare.

Not all cancers affecting the liver are liver cancers. Cancer that spreads in the liver after it starts in another area of ​​the body, such as colon, lung or breast, is called metastatic cancer instead of liver cancer. This type of cancer is named after the organ in which they begin. For example, cancer started in the colon is called metastatic colon cancer.

Liver cancer is also called hepatic cancer. It is a cancer that starts in the liver. When cancer develops in the liver, it destroys liver cells and interferes with the ability of the liver to function normally. There are two types of liver cancer. One is Primary liver cancer, which starts in liver cells. Whereas, cancers that begin elsewhere and eventually reach the liver are called liver metastasis or secondary liver cancer.

लिवर एक फुटबॉल के आकार का अंग है, जो आपके पेट के ऊपरी दाएं भाग में स्थित होता है। इसकी सही स्थिति आपके डायाफ्राम के नीचे और आपके पेट के ऊपर होती है। लिवर कैंसर आपके लिवर की कोशिकाओं में शुरू होता है और उन्हें नष्ट करता है, साथ ही लिवर की गतिविधिओं के साथ भी हस्तक्षेप करता है।

लिवर कैंसर (Liver cancer) का सबसे आम रूप हेपैटोसेलुलर कार्सिनोमा (Hepatocellular carcinoma) है, जो मुख्य प्रकार की लिवर कोशिका, जिसे हेपोटोसाइट कहते हैं, में शुरू होता है। लिवर में अन्य प्रकार की कोशिकाएं में भी कैंसर की शुरुआत हो सकती है लेकिन ऐसा बहुत कम होता हैं।

लिवर को प्रभावित करने वाले सभी कैंसर लिवर कैंसर नहीं होते हैं। जो कैंसर शरीर के किसी दूसरे क्षेत्र में, जैसे कि बृहदान्त्र (colon), फेफड़े (lung) या स्तन (breast) में शुरू होने के बाद लिवर में फैलते हैं उन्हें लिवर कैंसर के बजाय मेटास्टाटिक कैंसर (Metastatic cancer) कहा जाता है। इस प्रकार के कैंसर का नाम उस अंग के नाम पर रखा जाता है, जिसमें इनकी शुरूआत होती है। जैसे - बृहदान्त्र (colon) में शुरू हुए कैंसर को मेटास्टाटिक कोलन कैंसर (Metastatic colon cancer) कहा जाता है।

लीवर कैंसर को हेपेटिक कैंसर भी कहा जाता है। यह एक कैंसर होता है जो लीवर में शुरू होता है। जब कैंसर लीवर में विकसित होता है, तो यह लीवर कोशिकाओं को नष्ट कर देता है और सामान्य रूप से कार्य करने के लिए लीवर की क्षमता में दखल देता है। लीवर कैंसर के दो प्रकार होते हैं। प्राथमिक लीवर कैंसर, जो लीवर की कोशिकाओं में शुरू होता है। जबकि, कैंसर जो कि कहीं और से शुरू होता है और अंततः लीवर तक पहुंच जाता है, उन्हें जिगर मेटास्टेसिस या द्वितीयक लीवर कैंसर कहा जाता है।

Types of Liver Cancer  लिवर कैंसर के प्रकार

The types of liver cancer are as follows :-

·     Hepatocellular Carcinoma - Hepatocellular carcinoma, also known as hepatoma, is the most common type of HCC liver cancer that causes about 75 percent of liver cancer cases. HCC begins in the main types of liver cells, called hepatocellular cells. Most cases of HCC are due to infection with liver cirrhosis caused by Hepatitis B or C or alcohol.

·     Fibrolamellar HCC - This is a rare type of HCC that is generally more susceptible to treatment than other types of liver cancer.

·     Bile Duct Cancer - This cancer occurs in small, tube-like bile ducts within the liver that connect the bile to the gall bladder. It occurs in 10–20 percent of all liver cancers.

·     Angiosarcoma - Angiosarcoma is also called hemangiocarcinoma which accounts for about 1 percent of liver cancer cases. It starts in the blood vessels and accelerates quickly.

·     Liver Metastasis - This cancer develops when the cancer spreads from another part of the body to the liver. Most liver metastases originate from the colon. More than half of people with colon cancer also develop liver metastasis.

·     हेपैटोसेलुलर कार्सिनोमा (एचसीसी) (Hepatocellular Carcinoma) - हेपैटोसेलुलर कार्सिनोमा को हेपेटोमा भी कहा जाता है, एचसीसी लिवर कैंसर का सबसे आम प्रकार है जो लगभग 75 प्रतिशत लिवर कैंसर के मामलों का कारण होता है। एचसीसी मुख्य प्रकार की लिवर कोशिकाओं में शुरू होता है, जिन्हें हेपेटोसेल्यूलर कोशिका कहा जाता है। एचसीसी के अधिकांश मामले, हेपेटाइटिस बी या सी या शराब के कारण हुए लिवर के सिरोसिस के संक्रमण के कारण होते हैं।

·     फाइब्रोलामेलर एचसीसी (Fibrolamellar HCC) - यह एक दुर्लभ प्रकार का एचसीसी है जो आमतौर पर अन्य प्रकार के लिवर कैंसर के मुकाबले इलाज के लिए अधिक संवेदनशील होता है।

·     पित्त वाहिका का कैंसर (Bile Duct Cancer) - यह कैंसर लिवर के भीतर छोटी, ट्यूब जैसी पित्त नलिकाओं में होता है जो पित्त को पित्ताशय की से जोड़ती हैं। यह सभी लिवर कैंसर के 10-20 प्रतिशत मामलों में होता है।

·     एंजियोसार्कोमा (Angiosarcoma) - एंजियोसार्कोमा को हेमांजिओकार्सिनोमा (Hemangiocarcinoma) भी कहा जाता है जो लगभग 1 प्रतिशत लिवर कैंसर के मामलों में होता है। यह रक्त वाहिकाओं में शुरू होता है और जल्दी से बढ़ जाता है।

·     लिवर मेटास्टैसिस (Liver Metastasis) - यह कैंसर तब विकसित होता है जब शरीर के दूसरे भाग से कैंसर लिवर में फैलता है। ज्यादातर लिवर मेटास्टेस, बृहदान्त्र (colon) से उत्पन्न होता है। बृहदान्त्र (colon) कैंसर से ग्रस्त आधे से ज़्यादा लोगों को लिवर मेटास्टैसिस भी विकसित हो जाता है।

Symptoms of Liver Cancer  लीवर कैंसर के लक्षण

Most people do not have initial liver symptoms because of which they do not understand. When it becomes known about it, there is a lot of delay.

Most people do not have some symptoms of liver cancer in the primary stage but when they occur, it may include the following symptoms :-

-  Loss of weight
-  Jaundice
-  Loss of appetite
-  Fever
-  Normal itching
-  Hepatomegaly
-  Enlarged spline
-  Stomach bloating
-  Yellowing of skin and eyes.
-  Swelling of the feet.
-  Pain in the upper abdomen
-  Nausea or vomiting
-  General weakness and fatigue
-  Abdominal bloating
-  Skin yellowing and whitening of eyes
-  Whiteness in stool

ज्यादातर लोगों को शुरुआत में लीवर के लक्षण नहीं होते है। जिसके कारण हमें समझ नहीं आता है। जब इसके बारें में पता चलता है तो बहुत देरी हो जाती है।

ज्यादातर लोगों को प्राथमिक चरण में लिवर कैंसर के कुछ लक्षण नहीं होते हैं लेकिन जब होते हैं, तो इसमें निम्नलिखित लक्षण शामिल हो सकते हैं :-

-  वजन कम होना

-  उल्टी होना

-  पीलिया

-  भूख की कमी

-  बुखार

-  नार्मल खुजली

-  हेपटेमेगाली

-  बढ़े हुए स्प्लीन

-  पेट में सूजन

-  स्किन और आंखों का पीला होना

-  पैरों में सूजन होना

-  पेट के ऊपरी भाग में दर्द

-  सामान्य कमज़ोरी और थकान

-  त्वचा का पीलापन और आँखों में सफेदी

-  मल में सफेदी आना

Stages of Liver Cancer  लिवर कैंसर के चरण

There are the following four stages of liver cancer :-

·     First Stage
The first stage of liver cancer means that the tumor has not developed in the blood vessels and the cancer has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or elsewhere.

·     Second stage
The second stage means that the tumor has developed into blood vessels or several small tumors (all smaller than 2 inches) have developed and the cancer has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or elsewhere.

·     Third Stage
The third stage of liver cancer consists of the following three sub-types -
-   First - This means that many tumors are present and at least one is larger than 2 inches (5 cm) and the cancer does not spread to nearby lymph nodes or elsewhere.
-   Second - This means that many tumors are present and at least one tumor is growing in one branch of the pulse and the cancer does not spread to nearby lymph nodes or elsewhere.

-   Third - This means that the tumor has spread to a nearby organ (other than the gall bladder) or the outer covering of the liver and has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or elsewhere.

·     Fourth Stage
The fourth stage is the most advanced stage of liver cancer. In this, the cancer spreads to nearby lymph nodes and can grow in nearby blood vessels or organs. Advanced liver cancer often does not spread to distant organs but when it does, it is likely to spread to the lungs and bones.

लिवर कैंसर के निम्नलिखित चार चरण होते हैं :-

·     पहला चरण

लिवर कैंसर के पहले चरण का मतलब होता है कि ट्यूमर रक्त वाहिकाओं में विकसित नहीं हुआ है और कैंसर पास के लिम्फ नोड्स या दूसरी जगहों में नहीं फैला है।

·     दूसरा चरण

दूसरे चरण का मतलब है कि ट्यूमर रक्त वाहिकाओं में विकसित हो गया है या कई छोटे ट्यूमर (सभी 2 इंच से छोटे) विकसित हुए हैं और कैंसर पास के लिम्फ नोड्स या दूसरी जगहों में नहीं फैला है।

·     तीसरा चरण

लिवर कैंसर के तीसरे चरण के निम्नलिखित तीन उप-प्रकार होते हैं :-

-   पहला - इसका मतलब है कि कई ट्यूमर मौजूद हैं और कम से कम एक 2 इंच (5 सेमी) से बड़ा है व कैंसर पास के लिम्फ नोड्स या दूसरी जगहों में फैला नहीं है।

-   दूसरा - इसका मतलब है कि कई ट्यूमर मौजूद हैं और कम से कम एक ट्यूमर नाड़ी की एक शाखा में बढ़ रहा है व कैंसर पास के लिम्फ नोड्स या दूसरी जगहों में फैला नहीं है।

-   तीसरा - इसका मतलब है कि ट्यूमर एक पास के अंग (पित्ताशय के अलावा) या लिवर के बाहरी आवरण में फ़ैल गया है और पास के लिम्फ नोड्स या दूसरी जगहों में नहीं फैला है।

·     चौथा चरण

चौथा चरण, लिवर कैंसर का सबसे उन्नत चरण होता है। इसमें, कैंसर पास के लिम्फ नोड्स में फैल जाता है और आस-पास की रक्त वाहिकाओं या अंगों में बढ़ सकता है। उन्नत लिवर कैंसर अक्सर दूर के अंगों में नहीं फैलता लेकिन जब ऐसा होता है, तो इसकी फेफड़ों और हड्डियों में फैलने की संभावना होती है।

Causes and Risk Factors of Liver Cancer 

लिवर कैंसर के कारण और जोखिम कारक

Why does liver cancer occur?

It is not clear what causes liver cancer but in some cases, the cause is known. For example, chronic (i.e. long-term) infection of some hepatitis viruses can cause liver cancer.

Liver cancer occurs when there are changes in the DNA of liver cells. DNA provides instructions for every chemical process in your body. Changes in DNA lead to changes in these instructions. This can also result in cells starting to grow out of control and eventually become a tumor.

लिवर कैंसर क्यों होता है?

यह स्पष्ट नहीं है कि लिवर कैंसर के क्या कारण होते हैं लेकिन कुछ मामलों में, कारण ज्ञात होता है। उदाहरण के लिए, कुछ हेपेटाइटिस वायरस के क्रोनिक (यानी दीर्घकालिक) संक्रमण से लिवर का कैंसर हो सकता है।

लिवर कैंसर तब होता है जब लिवर कोशिकाओं के डीएनए में परिवर्तन होते हैं। डीएनए आपके शरीर में हर रासायनिक प्रक्रिया के लिए निर्देश प्रदान करते हैं। डीएनए में परिवर्तन से इन निर्देशों में परिवर्तन हो जाते हैं। इसका एक यह परिणाम भी हो सकता है कि कोशिकाएं नियंत्रण से बाहर बढ़ना शुरू कर दें और अंततः एक ट्यूमर बन जाएं।

What are the risk factors for liver cancer?

Factors that increase the risk of liver cancer are :-

-   Serious Hepatitis B or C infection - Hepatitis B virus (HBV) or Hepatitis C virus (HCV) increase the risk of liver cancer.
-   Cirrhosis - This progressive and irreversible disease causes a scar tissue in your liver and increases your chances of getting liver cancer.
-   Some genetic liver diseases - Some genetic diseases like hemochromatosis and Wilson's disease increase your risk of liver cancer.
-   Diabetes - People with sugar are at greater risk of getting liver cancer.
-   Fat - Fat accumulation in the liver increases the risk of liver cancer.
-   Excessive alcohol consumption - Taking alcohol daily for many years can increase the risk of liver damage and liver cancer.
-   Obesity - Excess body mass increases the risk of liver cancer.

लिवर कैंसर के जोखिम कारक क्या हैं?

लीवर कैंसर के खतरे को बढ़ाने वाले कारक निम्नलिखित हैं :-

-   हेपेटाइटिस बी या सी का गंभीर संक्रमण - हेपेटाइटिस बी वायरस (एचबीवी) या हेपेटाइटिस सी वायरस (एचसीवी) लिवर कैंसर का खतरा बढ़ाते हैँ।

-   सिरोसिस - यह प्रगतिशील और अपरिवर्तनीय बीमारी आपके जिगर में एक निशान ऊतक का कारण बनती है और लिवर कैंसर होने की संभावना बढ़ाती है।

-   कुछ अनुवांशिक लिवर रोग - हेमोक्रोमैटोसिस (Hemochromatosis) और विल्सन रोग (Wilson's disease) जैसे कुछ अनुवांशिक रोग आपके लिवर कैंसर के खतरे को बढ़ाते हैं।

-   मधुमेह - शुगर से ग्रस्त लोगों को लिवर कैंसर होने का ज़्यादा खतरा होता है।

-   फैट - जिगर में फैट का संग्रह लिवर कैंसर का खतरा बढ़ाता है।

-   अत्यधिक शराब पीना - कई सालों तक रोजाना शराब लेने से लिवर की क्षति और यकृत कैंसर का खतरा बढ़ सकता है।

-   मोटापा - शरीर का अत्यधिक द्रव्यमान लिवर कैंसर का खतरा बढ़ाता है।

Causes of liver cancer

-   Severe infection of hepatitis B or C
-   Cirrhosis
-   Diabetes
-   Liver fatty being.
-   Thickening.
-   Smoking or consumption of alcohol.

लीवर कैंसर के कारण

-   हेपेटाइटिस बी या सी का गंभीर इंफेक्शन

-   सिरोसिस

-   डायबिटीज

-   लीवर फैटी होना।

-   अधिक मोटा होना।I

-   स्मोकिंग या एल्कोहॉल का सेवन।

Liver Cancer Prevention  लिवर कैंसर से बचाव

How can liver cancer be avoided?

Following are the measures you can take to avoid liver cancer :-

-   Avoid Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a liver lesion and increases the risk of liver cancer. You can reduce your risk of cirrhosis if you -
--  Do not drink alcohol in moderation or at all.
--  Maintain a healthy weight
--  Use caution when using chemicals.

-   Get Hepatitis B Vaccine
You can reduce the risk of Hepatitis B by receiving the Hepatitis B vaccine, which provides over 90 percent protection for both adults and children. This vaccine can be given to almost anyone.

-   Take measures to prevent Hepatitis C
There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C but you can reduce your risk of infection in the following ways -
--  Do not have sex without knowing the health status of any sexual partner and use condom every time.
--  If needing to receive medication intravenously, make sure that the needle is not contaminated before using the needle.
--  Check for needles and tools before getting the ear or any other part pierced or tattooed.

लिवर कैंसर से कैसे बचा जा सकता है ?

लिवर कैंसर से बचने के लिए आप निम्नलिखित उपाय कर सकते हैं -

-   सिरोसिस (Cirrhosis) से बचें

सिरोसिस एक जिगर का घाव होता है और यह लिवर कैंसर का खतरा बढ़ाता है। आप सिरोसिस के अपने जोखिम को कम कर सकते हैं यदि आप -

--  शराब कम मात्रा में पीएं या बिलकुल न पीएं।

--  स्वस्थ वज़न बनाए रखें।

--  रसायनों का उपयोग करते समय सावधानी बरतें।

-   हेपेटाइटिस बी का टीका लगवाएं

हेपेटाइटिस बी टीका प्राप्त करके आप हेपेटाइटिस बी का खतरा कम कर सकते हैं, जो वयस्कों और बच्चों दोनों के लिए 90 प्रतिशत से ज्यादा सुरक्षा प्रदान करता है। यह टीका लगभग किसी को भी दिया जा सकता है।

-   हेपेटाइटिस सी को रोकने के लिए उपाय करें

हेपेटाइटिस सी के लिए कोई टीका मौजूद नहीं है लेकिन आप निम्नलिखित तरीकों से संक्रमण के अपने जोखिम को कम कर सकते हैं -

--  किसी भी यौन साथी की स्वास्थ्य स्थिति को जाने बिना यौन सम्बन्ध न बनाएं और हर बार कंडोम का प्रयोग करें।

--  अगर नसों द्वारा दवा प्राप्त करने की ज़रुरत हो तो सुई का उपयोग करने से पहले सुनिश्चित कर लें कि सुई दूषित न हो।

--  कान या कोई अन्य भाग छिदवाने या टैटू करवाने से पहले सुई और औज़ारों को जाँच लें।

Treatment of Liver Cancer  लिवर कैंसर का इलाज

How is liver cancer treated?

Liver cancer is treated in the following ways :-

·     Hepatectomy
In hepatectomy, part or all of the liver is removed. This surgery is usually performed when the cancer is confined to the liver. Over time, the ejected part increases again.

·     Liver transplant
Liver transplant replaces a patient's bad liver with a healthy liver. This can only be done when the cancer has not spread to other organs. Medications are given after transplant to prevent rejection.

·     Ablation
Ablation uses heat or ethanol injection to destroy cancer cells. Faintness is used in it so that you do not feel pain. It is beneficial for those who do not have surgery or transplant.

·     Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy destroys cancer cells. In this, medicines are given through the veins. Chemotherapy can be effective in treating liver cancer but many people have other side effects including vomiting, loss of appetite and chills during treatment. Chemotherapy may increase your risk of infection.

·     Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy irradiated rays to kill cancer cells. There are two ways - external radiation or internal radiation

·     Targeted therapy
In targeted therapy, specific drugs are used to kill cancer cells when they are weak. They reduce tumor growth and help shut off the blood supply to the tumor. It is used for people who do not have a hepatectomy or liver transplant. However, targeted therapy can have significant side effects.

·     Surgery
Surgery is also done in liver cancer. In this, the cancerous liver is removed. This is done if there is a small tumor in the liver. But there may be a risk of excess bleeding.

·     Absorption
These are injected to eliminate cancer cells. This makes the patient unconscious. So that he does not feel pain. It is beneficial for those who have not had surgery or liver transplant.

लिवर कैंसर का इलाज कैसे होता है?

लिवर कैंसर का उपचार निम्नलिखित तरीकों से किया जाता है :-

·     हेपेटेक्टमी (Hepatectomy)

हेपेटेक्टमी में लिवर का एक हिस्सा या पूरा लिवर हटाया जाता है। यह सर्जरी आम तौर पर तब की जाती है जब कैंसर लिवर तक ही सीमित होता है। समय के साथ, निकाला गया भाग फिर से बढ़ जाता है।

·     लिवर ट्रांसप्लांट (Liver transplant)

लिवर ट्रांसप्लांट में एक रोगी के खराब लिवर को एक स्वस्थ लिवर से बदल दिया जाता है। यह केवल तब किया जा सकता है जब कैंसर अन्य अंगों तक न फैला हो। अस्वीकृति को रोकने के लिए प्रत्यारोपण के बाद दवाएं दी जाती हैं।

·     आबलेशन (Ablation)

आबलेशन में कैंसर कोशिकाओं को नष्ट करने के लिए गर्मी या इथेनॉल इंजेक्शन का उपयोग किया जाता है। इसमें बेहोशी का उपयोग किया जाता है ताकि आपको दर्द महसूस न हो। यह उन लोगों के लिए लाभदायक है जिनकी सर्जरी या प्रत्यारोपण नहीं किया जाता।

·     कीमोथेरेपी (Chemotherapy)

कीमोथेरेपी कैंसर कोशिकाओं को नष्ट कर देती है। इसमें दवाएं नसों के माध्यम से दी जाती हैं। लिवर कैंसर के उपचार में कीमोथेरेपी प्रभावी हो सकती है लेकिन कई लोगों को इलाज के दौरान उल्टी, भूख कम लगना और ठंड लगना सहित अन्य दुष्प्रभाव होते हैं। कीमोथेरेपी आपके संक्रमण के जोखिम को बढ़ा सकती है।

·     विकिरण थेरेपी (Radiation therapy)

विकिरण थेरेपी में कैंसर की कोशिकाओं को मारने के लिए उच्च-ऊर्जा विकिरण वाली किरणों का उपयोग किया जाता है। इसके दो तरीके होते हैं - बाहरी विकिरण या आंतरिक विकिरण

·     टार्गेटेड थेरेपी (Targeted therapy)

लक्षित थेरेपी में कैंसर कोशिकाओं को मारने के लिए ख़ास दवाओं का उपयोग किया है जब वे कमज़ोर होती हैं। वे ट्यूमर की वृद्धि को कम करते हैं और ट्यूमर को रक्त की आपूर्ति बंद करने में मदद करते हैं। यह उन लोगों के लिए प्रयोग किया जाता है जिनकी हेपटेक्टोमी या लीवर प्रत्यारोपण नहीं होता। हालांकि, लक्षित चिकित्सा के महत्वपूर्ण दुष्प्रभाव हो सकते हैं।

·     सर्जरी

लीवर कैंसर में सर्जरी भी की जाती है। इसमें कैंसर वाले लीवर को हटा दिया जाता है। अगर लीवर में छोटा ट्यूमर है तो इसे किया जाता है। लेकिन इसमें अधिक खून बहने का खतरा हो सकता है।

WEIGHT GAINING Tips : How to Gain Weight Fast & Safe | Healthy Foods for Weight Gain

WEIGHT GAINING Tips : How to Gain Weight Fast & Safe | Healthy Foods for Weight Gain

Today, more than 1.9 billion people are overweight worldwide. Many can’t imagine that there are actually people who would like to gain weight but can’t. Putting on a few pounds is a real challenge for some people who are underweight – especially if they want to do it in a healthy way. For some people, gaining weight or adding muscle can be just as difficult as losing weight for others. However, simply adding certain foods to our diet can make our weight gain efforts both healthy and more effective.

Here are some Weight Gaining Tips :

=>   Be Patient!

This is perhaps the most important tip for us, it doesn’t matter whether we want to gain or lose weight, we have to be patient. Changes don’t happen overnight.

=>   Eat More Calories than our Body Burns

The most important thing we can do to gain weight is to create a calorie surplus, meaning we must eat more calories than our body needs. We can determine our calorie needs using a calorie calculator. If we want to gain weight slowly and steadily, aim for 300–500 calories more than we burn each day according to the calculator. If we want to gain weight fast, aim for around 700–1,000 calories above our maintenance level. Keep in mind that calorie calculators only provide estimates. Our needs may vary by several hundred calories per day, give or take. We don't need to count calories for the rest of our life, but it helps to do it for the first few days or weeks to get a feel for how many calories we’re eating. There are many great tools out there to help us.

=>   Prefer Quality over Quantity

To be able to eat as much as we want… that is all well and good. But we still need to eat a healthy diet if we want to gain weight fast. Burgers, fries, and soft drinks are full of calories, but they also contain lots of saturated fats, salt, and sugar. We are better off focusing on nutrient- and calorie-rich foods to gain weight:

·     avocados

·     legumes 

·     whole-grain products

·     dry fruits

·     potatoes

·     rice

·     meat 

·     fish

·     nuts and seeds

We should, of course, always eat enough fruit and vegetables to cover our micronutrient requirement. When we focus on gaining weight, high calorie foods should be a priority.

=>   Stock Up on High-Fat Snacks

Fat is an essential part of our diet, and eating it can be a healthy way to regulate your weight. Eat nuts, seeds, and seed and nut butters. Try cheese and crackers, or dried fruit and full-fat yogurt. Hummus is great on bread or vegetables, and with plenty of tahini and olive oil it can help us up our calories. Olives and cheese are great when we want something really savory.

·     Keep spreads such as guacamole, tapenade, pesto, and hummus in our fridge for easy snacking.

·     Carry nut-bars to fill your cravings when we're out and about.

=>   Eat Plenty of Protein

The single most important nutrient for gaining healthy weight is protein. Muscle is made of protein and without it most of those extra calories may end up as body fat. Studies show that during periods of overfeeding, a high-protein diet causes many of the extra calories to be turned into muscle. However, keep in mind that protein is a double-edged sword. It’s also highly filling, which may reduce our hunger and appetite significantly, making it harder to get in enough calories. If we're trying to gain weight, aim for 0.7–1 grams of protein per pound of body weight (1.5–2.2 grams of protein per kilogram). We can even go above that if our calorie intake is very high. High-protein foods include meats, fish, eggs, many dairy products, legumes, nuts and others. Protein supplements like whey protein can also be useful if we struggle to get enough protein in our diet.

=>   Gradually Increase Portion Size 

If we try to start eating enormous meals from one day to the next, it won’t work. Gradually increase our portion size every week instead. This way our body can get used to larger meals slowly. After a few weeks we will be able to eat considerably more. If we add high calorie foods to our meals as well, we will significantly increase our calorie consumption and gain weight that way. 

=>   Track Our Calories

Log everything we eat and drink: a food tracking app helps us learn more about our eating habits. Perhaps we can squeeze in a few more calories here or there.

=>   Get Whole Grain Breads

Whole grain breads, pastas, and crackers have more nutrients and more calories than processed grains. Enjoy our bread with butter, olive oil, peanut butter, avocado, or a drizzle of tahini and honey.

=>   Have Some Dessert

While we shouldn't rely on sugary food, the occasional sweet snack is fine. Don't worry about occasionally indulging in cake or ice cream. If we crave dessert every night, try for small portions and healthier options: dark chocolate, whole fat yogurt with fruit and granola, trail mix, granola bars, or whole grain pastries.

=>   Build Our Muscles with Strength Training

Muscle weighs more than fat, so we'll gain weight as we build muscle. Get some strength training exercise at least twice a week. We can strength train at home by doing crunches, lunges, and squats. Lift weights, exercise with kettlebells and medicine balls, or use tubes.

·     If we belong to a gym, we can train on the weight machines.

·     Sign up for a Pilates class.

·     Take a class or watch an exercise video before embarking on a new form of exercise.

·     Remember, stop if we are in pain. If something hurts, we are at risk of injury.

=>   Eat Before and After Our Workout.

Carbohydrates will help our stamina before we work out, while carbohydrates and protein together will help our muscles heal after we work out.

·     Get a small meal or a snack in at least an hour before exercising.

·     If we have eaten a large meal, wait three to four hours before we exercise.

·     Good post-exercise snacks might include peanut butter sandwiches, yogurt, and fruit, chocolate milk and crackers, or a smoothie with milk, yogurt, or whey protein.

=>   Eat Energy-Dense Foods and Use Sauces, Spices and Condiments

Again, it’s very important to eat mostly whole, single-ingredient foods. The problem is that these foods tend to be more filling than processed junk foods, making it harder to get in enough calories. Using plenty of spices, sauces and condiments can help with this. The tastier our food is, the easier it is to eat a lot of it. Also, try to emphasize energy-dense foods as much as possible. These are foods that contain many calories relative to their weight.

Here are some energy-dense foods that are perfect for gaining weight:

·     Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts, peanuts, etc.

·     Dry fruits: Raisins, dates, prunes and others.

·     High-fat dairy: Whole milk, full-fat yogurt, cheese, cream.

·     Fats and oils: Extra virgin olive oil and avocado oil.

·     Grains: Whole grains like oats and brown rice.

·     Meat: Chicken, beef, pork, lamb, etc. Choose fattier cuts.

·     Tubers: Potatoes, sweet potatoes and yams.

·     Dark chocolate, avocados, peanut butter, coconut milk, granola, trail mixes.

Many of these foods are very filling, and sometimes we may need to force yourself to keep eating even if we feel full. It may be a good idea to avoid eating a ton of vegetables if gaining weight is a priority for us. It simply leaves less room for energy-dense foods. Eating whole fruit is fine, but try to emphasize fruit that doesn't require too much chewing, such as bananas. If we need more suggestions, consider reading this article on 18 healthy foods to gain weight fast.

=>   Lift Heavy Weights and Improve Our Strength

To make sure that the excess calories go to our muscles instead of just our fat cells, it’s absolutely crucial to lift weights. Go to a gym and lift 2–4 times per week. Lift heavy and try to increase the weights and volume over time. If we’re completely out of shape or new to training, consider hiring a qualified personal trainer to help us get started. We may also want to consult with a doctor if we have skeletal problems or any medical issue. It’s probably best to take it easy on the cardio for now — focus mostly on the weights. Doing some cardio is fine to improve fitness and well-being, but don't do so much that we end up burning all the additional calories we’re eating.

=>   Skip Junk Food

While increasing our calorie intake would be a lot easier if we just ate fast food every meal, our health would suffer in every other way. Instead, focus on preparing our own food if we have the time. If we hate cooking or are too busy, find healthy ways to eat out. Stores that list all the ingredients of our meal, like sandwich shops and smoothie shops, are a good bet.

·     If we would like to make our own food but are always busy during the week, try to make a lot of food over the weekend. We can freeze half of what we make if we're worried about it going bad.

·     As a rule, avoid fried food, sugary snacks, soda, and candy.

=>   Add Clarified Butter and Sugar to our Daily Diet

Take one tablespoon of clarified butter and mix it well with one tablespoon of sugar. Eat this mixture every day at least half an hour before our lunch or dinner on an empty stomach. Consuming this concoction for one month will give we the desired results.

=>   Afternoon Nap is as Important as a Good Night's Sleep
Yes, you read that right! Sleeping in afternoon for about 45 minutes to an hour relaxes our mind and muscles. This not only helps us gain weight, but also help us to have a sound sleep at night. This is one of the fastest ways to gain weight without hitting the gym.

Healthy Foods to Gain Weight

=>   Milk

Milk offers a mix of fat, carbohydrates, and proteins. It is also an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including calcium. The protein content of milk makes it a good choice for people trying to build muscle. For anyone looking to gain weight, milk can be added to the diet throughout the day.

=>   Homemade Protein Smoothies

Drinking homemade protein smoothies can be a highly nutritious and quick way to gain weight. Making our own smoothies is the best way since commercial versions are often full of sugar and lack nutrients. It also gives us full control over the flavor and nutrient content.

Here are just a few tasty variations we can try. We can combine each with 2 cups (470 ml) of milk or an alternative like almond milk.

·     Chocolate banana nut shake: Combine 1 banana, 1 scoop of chocolate whey protein and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of peanut or another nut butter.

·     Vanilla berry shake: Combine 1 cup (237 ml) of fresh or frozen mixed berries, ice, 1 cup (237 ml) of high-protein natural yogurt and 1 scoop of vanilla whey protein.

·     Chocolate hazelnut shake: Combine 15 ounces (444 ml) of chocolate milk with 1 scoop of chocolate whey protein, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of hazelnut butter and 1 avocado.

·     Caramel apple shake: Combine 1 sliced apple, 1 cup (237 ml) of natural yogurt, 1 scoop of caramel- or vanilla-flavored whey protein and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of sugar-free caramel sauce or flavoring.

·     Vanilla blueberry shake: Combine 1 cup (237 ml) of fresh or frozen blueberries, 1 scoop of vanilla whey protein, 1 cup (237 ml) of vanilla yogurt and sweetener if needed.

·     Super green shake: Combine 1 cup (237 ml) of spinach, 1 avocado, 1 banana, 1 cup (237 ml) of pineapple and 1 scoop of unflavored or vanilla whey protein.

All of these smoothies provide around 400–600 calories, along with a high amount of protein and other important vitamins and minerals.

=>   Rice

A cup of rice contains about 200 calories, and it is also a good source of carbohydrates, which contribute to weight gain. Many people find it easy to incorporate rice into meals containing proteins and vegetables.

=>   Nuts and Nut Butter

Consuming nuts regularly can help a person to gain weight safely. Nuts are a great snack and can be added to many meals, including salads. Raw or dry roasted nuts have the most health benefits. Nut butters made without added sugar or hydrogenated oils can also help. The only ingredient in these butters should be the nuts themselves. A range of nut butters is available for purchase online.

=>   Potatoes and Starches

Potatoes and other starchy foods are a very easy and cost-effective way to add in extra calories.

Try to choose one of these healthy sources of starchy carbs:

·     Quinoa

·     Oats

·     Corn

·     Buckwheat

·     Potatoes and sweet potatoes

·     Squash

·     Winter root vegetables

·     Beans and legumes

Not only do potatoes and other starches add carbs and calories to help us gain weight — they also increase our muscle glycogen stores. Glycogen is the predominant fuel source for most sports and activities. Many of these carb sources also provide important nutrients and fiber, as well as resistant starch, which can help nourish our gut bacteria.

=>   Dry Fruits

Dry fruits are high-calorie snacks that also provides antioxidants and micronutrients. We can get many different types of dry fruit. However, they have a very high sugar content and are not ideal for weight loss diets. On the other hand, this makes them great for gaining weight, especially since they’re convenient to eat and taste great. While many people think fruits lose most of their nutrients when dried, this isn't the case. Dried fruits contain lots of fiber and most of their vitamins and minerals remain intact. Try combining some dried fruit with a protein source, such as cuts of meat or a whey protein shake. They also mix well with nuts and natural yogurt, providing a blend of healthy fats, protein and other key nutrients.

=>   Healthy Cereals

Healthy cereals can be an excellent source of carbs, calories and nutrients. While we should avoid processed, high-sugar cereals, healthier forms like oatmeal can be a great carb source to add to our diet. Grain-based cereals and oats also contain beneficial nutrients like fiber and healthy antioxidants.

When purchasing cereals, focus on these healthy choices:

·     Oats

·     Granola

·     Multi-grains

·     Bran

·     Ezekiel

Make sure to read the label and avoid cereals with refined grains or added sugar.

=>   Cereal Bars

Some of the healthier cereal bars on the market can be a great snack when you’re on the go. They are also a good choice before or after a training session since they tend to contain a mix of slow- and fast-digesting carbs. As with cereals, try to stick to bars made from healthy whole grains. We can also find bars that contain other healthy ingredients, such as dried fruits, nuts or seeds. As a snack or meal on the go, try combining a cereal bar with other protein sources, such as natural yogurt, boiled eggs, cold cuts of meat or a protein shake.

=>   Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is a high fat, high-calorie food. It also contains antioxidants. A person looking to gain weight should select chocolate that has a cacao content of at least 70 percent. A range of dark chocolate is available for purchase online.

=>   Protein Supplements

Athletes looking to gain weight often use protein supplements to boost muscle mass, in combination with resistance training. Protein supplements are available for purchase online. They may be an inexpensive way to consume more calories and gain weight.

=>   Fats and Oils

Oils, such as those derived from olives and avocados, contribute calories and heart-healthy unsaturated fats. A tablespoon of olive oil will contain about 120 calories.

=>   Cheese

Cheese is good source of fat, protein, calcium, and calories. A person looking to gain weight should select full-fat cheeses.

=>   Yogurt

Full-fat yogurt can also provide protein and nutrients. Avoid flavored yogurts and those with lower fat contents, as they often contain added sugars. A person may wish to flavor their yogurt with fruit or nuts.

=>   Whole Eggs

Eggs are one of the healthiest muscle-building foods on the planet. They provide a great combination of high-quality proteins and healthy fats. It's also very important to eat the whole egg. In fact, almost all of the beneficial nutrients in eggs are found in the yolk. As long as we don’t have an intolerance to eggs, there is no need to limit our egg consumption — we can easily eat three eggs per day if we want. In fact, many athletes or bodybuilders can eat six or more daily.