Why do nutritional problems occur in IBD?
Poor Food Intake Poor food intake is the commonest cause of inadequate nutrition in IBD and may be due to poor appetite, restrictive diets or reducing food intake to avoid symptoms such as nausea, pain or diarrhoea. Reduced Absorption of Nutrients Disease in, or surgical removal of, a portion of the small bowel, can interfere with absorption. Fever and Inflammation Fever and inflammation increase the body’s nutritional needs and interfere with its ability to utilise food. Loss of Protein, Blood and Fluid Inflammation and ulceration of the bowel wall can cause significant losses of protein, blood and water. Medications Side effects from medications can include nausea, abdominal pain, poor appetite and impaired absorption of nutrients. Sulphasalazine may cause abdominal pain or poor appetite and can sometimes interfere with absorption of folic acid. Steroids have complex effects on nutrition and growth. What nutritional problems can occur? Weight Loss Weight loss is more common in Crohn’