On nutrition: When trauma hits

Rachel is an amazingly talented young lady. A high school classmate of my daughter, she was the professional photographer for Stephanie's wedding three years ago. And when I saw her just last month, she agreed it was time for us to get together.

Then we got word that Rachel had been in a serious automobile accident. After bravely making it through two surgeries, she is now facing a long road to recovery.

Nutrition after a serious injury is not always something we think about. But we should. Trauma causes great metabolic stress to the body as hormones trigger processes to promote healing. Nutritional needs skyrocket as the bodywork overtime to heal itself from a severe assault.

When the body is injured, nutrients for energy and repair of tissues are quickly mobilized from body stores — including protein from muscles. The heart pumps faster and blood sugars rise — all in a bodily effort to increase the flow of energy and nutrients for healing.

Critical illness requires specialized nutrition. Besides extra protein and calories, B-vitamins are needed in higher amounts to help the body process increased energy needs. Nutrients that promote healing — such as vitamins A and C and zinc — are also at high demand following a serious trauma.

To further complicate nutrition care, some patients are unable to eat real food after a severe injury. Thank heaven for what experts call "nutrition support" — the provision of nutrition directly into the gastrointestinal tract (enteral nutrition) or into the blood stream (parenteral nutrition). This type of nutrition therapy requires highly specialized formulas calculated to the specific medical needs of the patient. Nutrition support "feeds" the body what it needs until the patient is able to eat whole food again.

No doubt Rachel is receiving good nutrition support while she is hospitalized. And along with others, I pray that Rachel's strong young body will regain her back to health very soon.

I am also encouraged that Rachel is receiving other forms of nourishment from family, friends and her community.

As often is the case, we ourselves are nourished as we reach out to help others in times of intense need. We will continue to pray for Rachel's full recovery in the days ahead.

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Barbara Quinn is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula in California. She is the author of "Diabetes DTOUR Diet," Rodale, 2009. Readers may send her e-mail at bquinn@chomp.org.