Diet assessment is important for people who are suffering from chronic and non-healing wounds. Without an adequate diet, the body is unable to support the healing process. In fact, malnourishment is one of the contributing factors to long healing times for wounds.
Healing a wound requires a multidisciplinary approach, including dietitians, wound care specialists, nurses and physical therapists, according to Dr. Jeffrey Stone, D.O., M.P.H. “It needs to be a group effort. It is essential to include the dietitian in the overall nutritional care plan for these patients.”
A dietician can assess the nutritional needs of a patient and determine whether or not they are adequately nourished. For the body to obtain the maximum level of efficiency, it needs food to function. If a person does not have an adequate amount of nourishment to convert to energy, then their body will have to resort to converting energy from protein found in lean muscle tissue in the body. This conversion process deteriorates muscles and organs from which it draws protein and forces the body to focus on that conversion process rather than other functions, such as wound healing. Since the body cannot store protein as it does fat, maintaining an adequate amount of protein as a part of a daily diet regimen is integral to healing wounds.
A common misconception is that people who are at average or above-average weight are fully nourished. That is not the case. Often times, a person is overweight and undernourished. The advice they may receive to diet may actually impede proper healing.
Qualified assessment is the start to improving overall nutrition. A qualified dietitian can properly interpret a patient’s nutritional status and determine any deficiencies a patient might have. Certain laboratory tests measure amounts of proteins such as albumin, pre-albumin, and transferrin. From these measurements, along with other laboratory tests, a wound management team can assess a patient’s level of nourishment and figure out how to adjust that patient’s diet accordingly. From these adjustments, a dietitian can develop an overall nutrition plan for patients.
Unfortunately, patients are malnourished all too often. Approximately 85% of nursing home patients are considered malnourished. Family members and caregivers of patients with wounds may want to ask a wound care specialist if their family member’s nutritional needs are being met, and arrange for a dietitian to consult on their case. Why not take the time to take nutrition seriously-someone’s life may depend on it.
