Tag: Complications

According to a study published in the journal Nutrients, gastrointestinal complications are the most frequently reported problem in patients receiving home enteral tube feeding, affecting over 77% of patients. A crucial nursing responsibility is identifying which laboratory or clinical values indicate a complication of enteral feeding that needs immediate provider notification.

Globally, severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children under five, impacting millions of lives and development. The severe lack of essential nutrients in severe malnutrition sets off a cascade of systemic failures, leading to profound and often irreversible health complications that affect nearly every organ system.

Historically known for plaguing sailors on long voyages, a severe vitamin C deficiency known as scurvy can cause general weakness, gum disease, and skin hemorrhages. Understanding what are the results of scurvy is crucial for early detection and preventing its dangerous progression.

According to research, malnutrition affects up to 50% of hospitalized patients, highlighting the need for nutritional support when oral intake is insufficient. However, providing artificial nutrition is not without risk, and understanding the potential complications is crucial for both patients and healthcare providers.

Measles, a highly contagious viral illness, can lead to severe health complications, particularly among children, and a critical contributing factor is often a pre-existing or acute vitamin deficiency. Specifically, vitamin A deficiency is commonly identified in severe cases and is a major risk factor for adverse outcomes. This nutritional shortfall exacerbates the disease's effects, highlighting the vital link between diet and illness severity.

Approximately 1–2% of the population in developed countries will suffer from non-healing wounds in their lifetime. Understanding which factors will negatively affect wound healing is crucial for timely and effective treatment, preventing complications like chronic ulcers.

According to the National Institutes of Health, tube-related complications and problems in patients receiving long-term home enteral nutrition are frequent and can result in significant healthcare usage. This highlights the importance of understanding what the side effects of a feeding tube in the stomach are and how to manage them effectively.

Studies have shown that 40% to 50% of patients undergoing surgery may have some degree of malnutrition, a percentage that is often underestimated. Understanding the specific nutrition problems caused by surgery is crucial for a smooth recovery and minimizing post-operative complications.

Historically, the advent of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) dramatically improved outcomes for patients with enterocutaneous fistulas (ECFs), a challenging condition with a high risk of complications. The use of parenteral nutrition in the management of enterocutaneous fistula allows for nutritional repletion and electrolyte balance, which is vital for healing and stabilization. This intravenous nutritional support is particularly crucial for patients with high-output fistulas or those who cannot tolerate enteral feeding.

About 40,000 people in the United States use home total parenteral nutrition (HPN). This specialized intravenous feeding is used when the digestive tract is non-functional, and the duration varies dramatically depending on the underlying medical issue and a patient's progress toward oral intake.