carer-chatting-with-patient

Frailty & Disease Related Malnutrition


Lots of different factors can contribute to malnutrition. Some conditions (such as COPD and dysphagia) can make it difficult to eat and get enough nutrients. This can lead to disease related malnutrition, a condition that develops when a person’s diet doesn’t give them the right amount of energy (calories), protein and other nutrients3.

Poor appetite, taking lots of medications, and motor dysfunction are just a few contributing factors to malnutrition, which can affect people of all ages. If someone is malnourished, they’re likely to be less active, to use more medication, have more falls, to need more care and to be at greater risk of pressure ulcers if spending long periods in bed2,4.

It’s much harder for a malnourished person to fight off infections or minor illnesses than it is for a well nourished person. Good nutrition can help prevent complications arising from seemingly small health problems, and helps people stay strong and healthy1.

Nutrition support can reduce hospital readmissions1,2


The power of nutrition

A healthcare profession may recommend oral nutrition supplements as a way of managing disease related malnutrition. Oral nutrition supplements may have many benefits including providing additional energy and nutrients that can help prevent muscle wasting which may reduce falls, improve day to day activity levels and may help reduce re-admission to hospital2,4.

Malnutrition can lead to complications from minor diseases1


References

  1. Stratton RJ et al. Disease-related malnutrition: an evidence based approach to treatment. Wallingford: CABI Publishing; 2003.
  2. Elia M et al. The cost of disease-related malnutrition in the UK and economic considerations for the use of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in adults. Redditch: BAPEN; 2005
  3. http://www.bapen.org.uk/malnutrition-undernutrition/introduction-to-malnutrition. Accessed March 27, 2017.
  4. Gandy J, Eds. Manual of Dietetic Practice. 5th ed. Oxford: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2014

Resources

Visit our Resource Centre for a wide range of professional resources to support you and your patients.

Products

Find out about Nutricia's wide range of specialised nutritional products.

View all

News

Stay up to date and find out about our latest news.

The Adult Oral Range

Our trusted range of Adult Oral Nutritional Supplements has a product suitable for every patient.

Fortisip Compact Range

Find our more about how our low volume Oral Nutritional Supplements lead to greater compliance in patients.

Screening for Malnutrition

Further support on screening for Malnutrition, including our Screening for Malnutrition e-learning which is coming soon.



Do you have a question?

Contact our team of experts for guidance on the use and composition of our product range, for support with queries regarding your Nutricia account and sampling service or to get in touch with your local Nutricia representative. We are available Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-4pm (except Bank Holidays)

careline-image

 

Nutricia offers access to a wide range of support services and resources including:

  • • Our free Sampling Service to order product samples and have them sent to your patients' homes.
  • • A range of CPD accredited e-learning programmes.
  • • Order free paper copies of our support tools for yourself or to use with your patients.
  • • Sign up to receiving marketing communications and be the first to know about our free educational events & webinars, the latest scientific research and product updates.

 

Help us provide information most relevant to you

Please ensure your role and areas of interest are up to date.

x