SPINAL CORD INJURIES : NUTRITION BASICS

NUTRITION BASICS -

Here are some of the basics about nutrition and spinal cord injury. This is always a good review for those of you who have heard it before, and hopefully some may learn something new. This information is taken, with permission rom the SCI Informer, a publication of Shriners Hospitals for Children-Chicago.

-Fiber is important for the maintenance of intestinal health and function. It will help with both the loose and hard stools consistency. Fiber absorbs the excess fluids in loose stool and increases the volume so that it is easier to control Fiber hangs on to extra fluids in the colon and can soften hard stools. Fiber also feeds the good bacteria in your intestines that aid in digestion.

-Protein is usually abundant in the American diet. However, after a spinal cord injury, blood levels usually drop due to the increased protein needs for healing from the initial injury. This quickly improves with good intake of a well balanced diet with adequate protein. If the individuals are unable to consume adequate amounts of protein over time then the body uses the existing stores of muscle for both energy and healing. This increases the risk of infection and pressure sores. Once pressure sores develop, protein requirements increase to almost double that required for maintenance due to the need for protein for healing.

-Weigh control is key to independence. While obesity makes transfers, mobility and self care difficult, both underweight and overweight increase the risk for pressure sores and skin breakdown. Individuals with new injuries lose weight due to the loss of lean muscle tissue. This should decrease shortly after the injury and a new baseline weight will be established.The average ideal body weight of an individual with a spinal cord injury is less than that of their able bodied peers.

They are reduced as follows:
-Paraplegia 10 pounds or less
-Tetraplegia 15-20 pounds less
-Water is important for the health of your skin, bowels, and bladder. Maintaining good hydration keeps your skin looking and feeling better. Adequate intakes of fluids, primarily water, keeps your stools soft and easier to pass. Finally, water flushes out your kidneys and bladder to assist in preventing urinary tract infections.

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