Influence of an acute disease in geriatric patients - effect of early nutritional support and physiotherapy

Abstract

An acute disease in the elderly often results in the loss of self-sufficiency and the need for subsequent admittance to care homes. Muscle mass loss in the course of the acute disease could be the main factor for this, giving rise as it does to a loss of the general condition.

The major factors influencing decrease of muscle mass during the acute disease are firstly catabolic reaction, reduced energy intake and inactivity.

Keywords

• Oral supplements
• physiotherapy
• sarcopenia
• malnutrition
• self-sufficiency