Tag: Intensive care unit

Critical illness frequently causes severe changes in gut function and can lead to a state of compromised immunity. The provision of dietary fiber in medical and surgical critical care settings, particularly via enteral nutrition, plays a vital role in maintaining intestinal health and mitigating common complications.

Propofol is delivered in a lipid emulsion that contains approximately 1.1 calories per milliliter. While this contributes energy, the real question is: does propofol provide nutrition in a comprehensive sense, and how is its caloric load managed in patient care?

Propofol, a common sedative in intensive care units, is prepared in a lipid emulsion that contributes 1.1 kcals per milliliter. This caloric contribution is often overlooked but can have major nutritional implications for mechanically ventilated patients receiving concurrent feeding therapies.

Patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) can lose up to 20% of their muscle mass in just 10 days, according to some studies. This statistic highlights that while a mild cold may not significantly impact muscle, a severe illness can cause rapid and significant muscle loss due to a combination of inflammation, inactivity, and insufficient nutrition.

Recent studies in intensive care units suggest that between 17% and 52% of patients receiving nutritional support experience refeeding syndrome, a potentially fatal metabolic complication. This condition is particularly dangerous for malnourished patients in critical care, demanding a cautious and well-monitored reintroduction of nutrients.

According to several systematic reviews and meta-analyses, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question, is bolus feeding better than continuous feeding? The optimal enteral nutrition method depends heavily on the patient's specific clinical situation, gut function, and ability to tolerate feeds.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening condition where lung inflammation leads to severely impaired gas exchange. A lesser-known but crucial aspect of treatment is nutritional support, which plays a pivotal role in mitigating muscle loss and supporting the immune system during recovery. This article explains what is nutritional management for ARDS and why it is vital for patient outcomes.

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency caused by the body's dysregulated response to an infection. This condition triggers intense metabolic stress and protein depletion, making proper **nutrition support for sepsis patients** a critical factor in recovery and overall prognosis.