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Malnutrition is a situation where the nutrients absorbed by the human body are not sufficient for the proper functioning of all life functions. Not only does it hinder the healing process, but it also destroys the body. Patients suffering from certain diseases are particularly at risk of developing malnutrition.
The material was created in cooperation with Nutramil Complex
- Malnutrition is a condition where a person consumes too little food that contains essential nutrients, or the body does not properly convert them into energy or excrete them excessively.
- Malnutrition is an alarming state of the body, the effects of which can be severe on health
- The risk of malnutrition is increased by certain diseases and ailments, such as cancer, dysphagia, hormonal and psychiatric disorders
Malnutrition can occur in several situations: when a person takes too little food that contains the necessary nutrients, or when, for various reasons – despite the supply of these nutrients – the body does not properly convert them into energy or excretes them excessively.
The nutrients involved include, but are not limited to, proteins, vitamins and various minerals. There may be times when, despite consuming the right amount of food and well-absorbed, a person becomes malnourished – as is the case with some obese people whose diets, although high in calories, are extremely nutrient-poor.
Malnutrition is an alarming state of the body, the effects of which can be severe on health and functioning. By itself, it can cause a significant deterioration in vital functions. Therefore, the prevention of malnutrition is of great importance in the treatment of many diseases that increase the risk of malnutrition. The key is not only to replenish, but also to do so as early as possible. Often the first stages of the disease are at risk of malnutrition, which hinders the entire healing process.
Diseases that have the greatest risk of malnutrition
- Neoplastic diseases, especially malignant neoplasms involving the central nervous system. These are diseases accompanied by a significantly increased energy demand of the body – depending on the health condition of the patient, the supply of protein should be even twice as high. Insufficient amount of it leads to protein malnutrition, which in turn causes progressive destruction of the body. Often the cause of death in cancer is not so much the tumor itself, but the wasting of the body caused by the disease and treatment.
- Diseases of the digestive tract: both concerning its structure and functioning. Any esophageal dysfunction, inflammatory bowel disease, malabsorption disorders, celiac disease (celiac disease), advanced gastroesophageal reflux disease – all these disorders can lead to eating disorders and, consequently, to malnutrition. Therefore, it is important to respond to all symptoms of inflammation in the digestive system and try to reduce them, and in the case of structural disorders of the digestive tract – introduce treatment or alternative nutrition as soon as possible. If left untreated, they can seriously impair the absorption of nutrients from food.
- Particularly noteworthy is dysphagia – a condition involving difficult passage of food from the oral cavity through the esophagus to the stomach. The disease, most often affecting the elderly and after stroke, may be associated with the inability to swallow solid food, crushed food, liquids until it is completely impossible to swallow. Nutramil Complex.
- The perioperative period is also a challenge in the area of nutrition. Convalescence is the time when the proper supply of protein and the proper nutritional status are crucial: they affect not only the treatment process, but also the number of complications, healing time and convalescence. A hospital stay is often associated with malnutrition, which makes treatment very difficult. Therefore, taking high-protein preparations recommended by specialists can significantly improve the patient’s health or even allow him to regain his fitness. Depending on the situation, it may be necessary to completely switch to a high-nutrient liquid diet or to supplement your food intake with a number of specialized meals.
- Disorders related to the secretion of hormones, such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypopituitarism … Here, too, treatment should be accompanied by a diet that replenishes any deficiencies caused by malabsorption and / or processing of nutrients.
- All chronic diseases; recovery is a process that requires mobilization of the body and uses the resources we have accumulated. When these resources are lacking, e.g. due to malnutrition, treatment places a heavy burden on the body. The absorption of the medications taken is also disturbed. The patient’s immunity will also decrease, which is associated with the risk of contracting bacterial or viral infections and the risk of complications.
- Psychiatric disorders – not only eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, but also depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder – all of these diseases can lead to malnutrition, which makes it difficult to improve the mental state of a sick person. Mental balance is closely related to the functioning of the organism in its physiological dimension.
The material was created in cooperation with Nutramil Complex