Explain the Dietary Management in Trauma?
Trauma As a result of metabolic responses to injury, there is an increase in the energy expenditure. Oxidation of body fat stores takes place causing loss of weight. Most injured patients can tolerate a loss of 10% of their pre-injury body weight prior to injury. If weight loss exceeds 10% body weight, under nutrition increases the morbidity and mortality rates. The patients are exposed to a variety of infectious agents in the hospital, due to use of catheters and nasogastric tubes.
Under nutrition increases the likelihood of sepsis, multiple organ system failure and death. It also delays wound healing. The purpose of nutrition support for a trauma patient is to aid in the defence mechanisms of the body. Adequate nutrition allows normal responses that optimize wound healing and recovery. Nutritional support should be provided before significant weight loss occurs. Intravenous administration of hypertonic nutrient solutions, use of peripheral vein feedings with fat emulsions and use of specific diets provide effective nutrition support to injured patients.