Tag: Spinal cord injury

According to the World Health Organization, neurological conditions are the leading cause of disability worldwide. When caring for a loved one with a neurological disorder, it's crucial to understand which food should I avoid for a paralysis patient, as diet plays a vital role in recovery and overall health. Poor nutrition can exacerbate muscle weakness, inflammation, and digestive issues common in immobile individuals.

According to studies, a significant percentage of individuals with spinal cord injuries face lifelong gastrointestinal dysfunction. While the act of digesting food occurs, quadriplegics face significant challenges due to interrupted nervous system signals, which require careful management to ensure digestive health. This guide explores the process and the strategies involved.

After a spinal cord injury, a person's basal metabolic rate can decrease by a significant margin, requiring a lower daily caloric intake to prevent excessive weight gain. Understanding how many calories do paraplegics need is a crucial first step toward maintaining a healthy weight, preventing secondary complications, and ensuring overall wellness.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a routine bowel management program that includes dietary changes is essential for those with neurogenic bowel dysfunction. Knowing what foods are good for neurogenic bowel can significantly improve symptom management and quality of life by helping to regulate stool consistency and bowel movements.

Contrary to a simple yes or no answer, a person's metabolic rate and caloric needs can be significantly impacted by a disability. A wheelchair user, for example, often burns fewer calories at rest than an able-bodied person, while an amputee expends considerably more energy walking with a prosthetic. So, **do disabled people burn more calories**? The answer is nuanced, depending heavily on the specific condition and activity level.

According to the American Heart Association, a healthy diet is crucial for preventing and recovering from conditions like stroke, a common cause of paralysis. Therefore, understanding **what not to eat during paralysis** is a critical step in managing risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol for better health outcomes.

Due to reduced muscle mass and lower physical activity, individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) can experience a 14% to 27% decrease in their resting metabolic rate compared to non-disabled individuals. This major physiological change directly impacts the critical question of **how many calories does a paralyzed person need?**