nutritional disorders
Overview of Nutritional Support
Introduction
Many undernourished patients need nutritional support, which aims to increase lean body mass. Oral feeding can be difficult for some patients with anorexia or with eating or absorption problems. Nutritional support is often needed for critically ill patients ( General reference ). Behavioral measures that sometimes enhance oral intake include the following: Encouraging patients to eat Heating or seasoning foods Providing favorite or strongly flavored foods Encouraging patients to eat small portions Scheduling other care or activities around meals Assisting patients with feeding If behavioral measures are ineffective, nutritional support—oral nutrition, Enteral Tube Nutrition , or 