Question

Disscus intresting facts/info about diets/nutrition in HIV/AIDS and of the Terminally ill.

Answer 1

1. DIET IN HIV/AIDS

• Good nutritional status in HIV patients help them to tolerate drugs, maintain weight and feel better.
• In HIV, the patient's immune system is affected and a healthy diet can help to boost immunity and cell repair
• Taking a diet rich in protein (meat, fish, eggs, beans etc) can boost the immunity and reduce weight loss. Protein requirement may increase to 100-150g/day
• Food hygiene is essential to reduce the risk of food related infections due to low immunity.
• Clean vegetables and fruits with fresh water, do not eat raw eggs or meat. Use boiled or bottled water for drinking

2. DIET IN TERMINALLY ILL

• The effects of nutrition support in terminally ill is controvertial.
• Some research studies have identified that nutrition support has no clinical benefit in terminally and also increases the risk of complications like aspiration, infection and suffering due ot nausea, vomiting etc
• Other studies which have identified benefits of nutrition support in competent patients include reducing physical deterioration, improving quality of life and preventing emotional effect of "starving patient ot death"
• So the decision of nutritional support requires an ethically sound decision making
• If nutrition support is required it is given through enteral or parenteral nutrition