Hunainabout 3 years ago

Conditions that cause malnutrition

Certain medical conditions can cause increased requirements or lead to your body being unable to absorb or use nutrients properly. These may include: cancer and liver disease that can cause a lack of appetite, persistent pain or nausea COPD, pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema, which can increase your calorie requirements and reduce your appetite mental health illness, such as depression or schizophrenia, which may affect your ability to look after yourself Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or cystic fibrosis that disrupt your body’s ability to digest food or absorb nutrients burns, fractures and post major surgery, due to increased demand for nutrients dementia – people with dementia may be unable to communicate their needs when it comes to eating, may use up a lot of calories pacing or may experience a loss of appetite dysphagia – a condition that makes swallowing difficult or painful and can mean that only certain consistencies of foods and drinks (known as International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative levels) can be taken persistent vomiting or diarrhoea Sometimes taking multiple medications or certain types of medication may also increase your risk of developing malnutrition. Always check your medicines information and speak to your prescriber for advice if you have a concern. Do not stop taking your medication without advice from a health care professional