Is your loved one getting the proper nutrition they need? (Nutritional Deficiency)

When someone in your family, perhaps your mother, father, or someone very close to you, suffers from an illness, it is normal for the question to come to our mind, "Is he or she getting the nutrition he or she needs?" Because we know that this is when they need good nutrition the most. But with illness, things like loss of appetite, nausea, changes in taste, and perhaps difficulty chewing or swallowing food can make this a real challenge. So, today we will talk about some simple signs that can help you identify if your loved one is not getting enough nutrition.

What are the main symptoms of nutritional deficiency?

There are several common signs of malnutrition that we can see during illness. If we pay a little attention to these, we can quickly take action.

Tip 1: Unexpected weight loss

This is the first symptom we see and the one we need to pay the most attention to. When the amount of food we eat decreases due to things like nausea, loss of appetite, and difficulty swallowing, we lose weight.

Let's say your loved one was a little overweight before they got sick. However, losing weight while they're sick is not a good idea. Because at this time, along with the fat , you can also lose muscle, which is essential for the body. This muscle is very important for staying strong and resisting illness.

What can be done?

Try these simple things to improve your nutrition and manage your weight:

• Increase the number of meals: Instead of feeding three large meals a day, feed five or six small, nutritious meals every two to three hours . For example, you could offer yogurt in the morning, soup a few hours later, some rice for lunch, and some fruit in the evening.
• Liquid supplements: If you are unable to eat, talk to your doctor about liquid supplements that are high in calories and nutrients.
• Make mealtimes fun: Eating with family and friends can increase your appetite, rather than eating alone.
• Change the texture of food: If you have difficulty chewing or swallowing food, try giving soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, and mashed vegetables. You can also give things like finely chopped cucumber if possible. Talk to your doctor or a nutritionist about this.

Tip 2: Constant fatigue

Does your loved one always say they are tired? Does doing even the smallest thing make them tired? The main reason for this could be iron deficiency anemia, which is also known as iron-deficiency anemia .

Simply put, this condition occurs when the number of red blood cells that carry oxygen to our body's tissues decreases. When oxygen is not properly delivered, the body loses energy and feels tired.

In addition to fatigue, see if you have any of these symptoms:

• Does your skin look pale?
• Do you have a spoon-like appearance (spooning of nails) in the middle of your nails?
• Are your hands and feet always cold?

If iron deficiency is not treated properly, it can lead to heart disease and frequent infections.

What can be done?

The solution to this is iron. However, there is one very important thing . Don't just go to the pharmacy and buy iron supplements on your own. First , you should definitely see your doctor and get a blood test to determine the exact condition .

Tip 3: Hair loss or thinning

There can be several reasons for hair loss during illness. Medications, treatments (e.g. cancer treatments), stress, or the nature of the illness itself can all contribute to this. However, another major cause of this can be protein or iron deficiency .

Imagine, if our body doesn't get enough protein, it will use the protein it has sparingly. One of the things the body does is temporarily stop hair growth , a process that is not essential for survival. This causes hair loss and thinning.

What can be done?

• Protein-rich foods: Animal foods like beef, pork, fish, chicken, and eggs are rich in protein. If you are a vegetarian, you can get the necessary protein from nuts like chickpeas, green beans, lentils, soy, cashews, and peanuts.
• Be careful with iron: If you suspect you have an iron deficiency, as mentioned earlier, get tested by a doctor and only take supplements if he recommends them. Include iron-rich foods like meat, fish, and green vegetables in your diet.

Tip 4: Mouth and tongue problems

Is your loved one's tongue red and shiny? Are there cracks or sores at the corners of their mouth? These could be signs of a vitamin B deficiency or iron deficiency.

Vitamins like Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin), B6 ​​(Pyridoxine), and B12 are essential for proper metabolism in our body, energy production, and fighting disease.

What can be done?

If you have these symptoms, the first thing to do is see your doctor . He or she will check for other causes, check for low vitamin levels, and give you the right advice.

It is often advised to include foods rich in vitamin B in the diet.

• Fish
• Milk and milk products (yogurt, cheese)
• Whole grains
• Green vegetables
• Fortified cereals

In some cases, if you can't get enough from food alone, your doctor may recommend vitamin supplements. Vitamin B12 is especially important for vegans , as it is only found naturally in animal products.