mal nutrician

Question
my husband suffers a brain injury from a motorcycle accident.  his mouth and jaw were dislocated from his face but surgeons repaired as good as they can and he is left with problems eating and drinking.  he can get food and drink in but with great difficulty.  he also suffers from dysarthia because of his brain injury..the accident happened 6 months ago. because he struggles to eat he doesn't want to eat enough calories in a days time and continues to loose weight. i am concerned he is going to develop more problems by not eating enough..what are the dangers he may face if he doesn't start getting the recommended calorie intake in each day as time goes on or do i need be so concerned.  he probably takes in at least 1000 cal a day with ensure on a good day

Answer
Dear Deby,

If your husband is able to take liquids or blenderized foods easily, then these are what he is most likely to take.  A beverage like Ensure comes in many flavors and the manufacturer (Ross Laboratories) will happily send you a recipe book.  There are supplemental drinks, puddings, and shakes that will get more calories, protein, and vitamins that he needs.

Depending on his size and activity level he may need more than 2000 calories a day, so eating 1000 or less will definitely lead to continued weight loss.  Inadequate nutritional intake will eventually lead to vitamin and mineral deficiency diseases, weight loss, poor muscle tone and organ function, and can be quite serious.

People who don't eat well can drink up to six cans a day, or more, of a drink like Ensure.  Some less expensive ones that are just as good include Walmart's own brand (Equate) and Carnation Instant Breakfast drink that comes in powder and you mix into milk yourself.

If a person continues to be unable to take oral nutrition over a period of time, his doctor may consider inserting a feeding tube into his stomach, where these liquid nutrition drinks can simply be poured in overnight or every few hours to meet his needs.
Sometimes there are many aspects affecting a person's appetite and if these cannot be overcome, a feeding tube is a great option to keep him well-nourished until things change.

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