Nutrition in Wound Healing
Resource to help raise awareness of the role of nutrition in wound healing
Causes of Malnutrition
In order to function the body requires a number of nutrients. Malnutrition arises when there is an imbalance or a deficiency of such nutrients (Lennard-Jones, 1992). There are three main ways through which malnutrition tends to occur. These consist of impaired nutritional intake, impaired absorption, and increased metabolic demand. Cartwright (2002) and Williams (2002) suggest a number of ways in which such problems can arise. These are highlighted in box 1.
| Predisposing factors for malnutrition | Causes |
|---|---|
| Impaired intake |
|
| Impaired absorption |
|
| Increased metabolic demand |
|
Think about the patients you have cared for today. Have they had any of the predisposing factors that are highlighted in box 1? If so, has their nutrition been assessed?
