People with Alzheimer’s are More Likely to Become Malnourished
People with some kind of neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s, are “more likely” than others to malnutrition, since this type of disease involves the “progressive loss” of cognitive functions, leading to a decline in the performance daily activities, among which is adequate food. This has been one of the topics discussed by Dr. Francisca Pereyra in the course on specific nutritional support is developed in the Hospital Our Lady of Candelaria, Tenerife, Canary Islands the government said in a press release.
In this regard, and in relation to Alzheimer’s patients said that they become malnourished during their illness, hence advised to make early and regular assessments of nutrient intake and diet for each person individually.
“A high fat and calorie intake is associated with an increased prevalence of dementia of the Alzheimer type, while it is lower in people who have a high fish consumption and cereals, as listed publications in this field,” said Pereyra making reference to epidemiological studies on the protective role of Mediterranean diet (high intake of monounsaturated fat, fish, cereals and olive oil among others).
Anyway, the doctor said “many” factors that influence whether a person with Alzheimer’s “is not nutritionally balanced, as it may cause” complications at the time of intake, either sensorineural disorders, problems mechanical and tooth loss or pain, functional causes neurological and behavioral disorders that are manifested by denial, opposition or anorexia by the patient at the time of eating. ”
In this regard, he noted that one of these complications is the dysphagia, a swallowing disorder that is characterized by the difficulty of a person to prepare and move the bolus from the mouth to the stomach. In this regard, said that up to “84 percent” of patients with Alzheimer’s disease can be diagnosed dysphagia and “always in a patient who loses weight significantly.”
Therefore, the doctor recommended to feed “properly” to patients with dementia is “should follow a regular pattern of hours, to break the diet in 5 or 6 shots, using the preferences of patients to prepare dishes they provide many nutrients, provide each meal separately to avoid confusion and use unbreakable dishes to avoid injury, “among others.