After sepsis , thinking about eating a balanced diet could be the last thing on your mind . But after a prolonged hospital stay , it ’ s important to eat healthfully .

The body ’ s life-threatening response to infection or damage is sepsis , which is a medical emergency that calls for prompt diagnosis and treatment , just as heart attacks or strokes . Any infection in the body , such as pneumonia , the flu , or urinary tract infections , can cause sepsis .

Following a sepsis episode , you may not have the urge to perform activities that you used to before your illness . You may just like to be curled up in bed .

Unfortunately , people who spend a lot of time in bed lose muscular mass . This is because of a number of things , which includes inability to consume calories , the body ’ s energy expenditure spent when it battled the disease and a lack of movement itself .

Your body is made up of cells , including your muscles . If there

is weight loss or dehydration , those muscles need nutrients to repair themselves . Food aids in the reconstruction of the nutrients we need to gain muscular growth and regain lost weight . Additionally , healthy eating also supports our brain and cognitive performance .

Loss of appetite after sepsis

Given all of this , it should come as no surprise that the first stage in healing from sepsis is to assist in regaining muscle strength . Even if it ’ s just walking around the house for a start , exercise helps with this in some way , and so does eating well .

Unfortunately , eating healthy may not always be a major priority , especially if the survivor lives alone . It might be impossible for survivors to leave the house to collect the food they need . They might not even have the energy to cook meals , let alone consume them .

Loss of appetite is frequent after sepsis . First , you might not be building up an appetite since you aren ’ t as physically active . Food may taste weird .

You could feel sick at the thought of eating . Or perhaps you ’ re too exhausted

to desire to eat . If so , grazing is typically a preferable way to eat . Grazing refers to snacking on nutritious foods or eating small meals as needed throughout the day .

In this instance , eating small portions of food at frequent intervals may help . Drinking soups or smoothies made with fruits and vegetables , can be satisfying , delectable , and healthy .

Healthy fats are crucial

Try experimenting with flavours if the taste of the food is keeping you from indulging . Herbs and mild spices can significantly alter the flavour of a dish . Your appetite may also be impacted by pain if it is present . Try scheduling your meals for a half-hour or so after taking your painkiller in this situation .

Make sure your diet and drink have a balanced array of nutrients . Now is not the time to start a particular diet that cuts out certain food groups , like carbohydrates .

Healthy fats are crucial for supplying your body with protein , which serves as the building block for muscle mass . Examples include those found in olives , nuts , fatty fish ( such as salmon , tuna , and mackerel ), soy , and tofu .

Whole eggs , bananas , and even peanut butter all provide protein . However , it is also important to have a balanced diet that does not focus on one specific type of food .

Also , having an occasional treat is not going to be harmful to overall health , and may bring back the normal appetite and recovery from illness faster . – The Health

Assoc Professor Dr Tan Toh Leong is Senior Lecturer and Emergency Medical Consultant , UKM Medical Center , Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and President and Founder of Malaysian Sepsis Alliance ( MySepsis ) while Dr Azlin Ithnin is Senior Lecturer and Chemical Pathologist Consultant , UKM Medical Center , Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Vice President of MySepsis

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