People with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, are at increased risk of nutritional problems. While good nutrition is important for everyone, it is even more critical for those with AIDS due to the virus' effects on the immune system. Medications for AIDS also interfere with the ability to stay nourished, making dietary management of AIDS a complex issue.
Food Safety
Individuals with AIDS are at increased risk of becoming sick from an infection found in food or water. Cryptosporidium, an organism sometimes found in water, can cause serious health problems due to lowered immunity. Egg yolks, meat, poultry and fish that are not thoroughly cooked also have the potential to cause illness. Unwashed raw fruits and vegetables may harbor organisms harmful to a person with AIDS, explains the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange. Food beyond its expiration date or left unrefrigerated may pose a serious health hazard as well.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Gastrointestinal problems complicate the ability to get proper nutrition. Both AIDS and the medications taken to treat it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and a loss of appetite, all of which can lead to a nutritional deficiency. Abdominal bloating and constipation are also common problems that can affect nutritional status in AIDS patients.
Effects
AIDS and the medications to treat it can create several nutrition-related problems. Thrush, a common problem in AIDS caused by an opportunistic yeast infection in the mouth or throat, can making chewing and swallowing painful, leading to decreased nutritional intake. The virus that causes AIDS affects cells in the intestines, causing them to become inflamed. This interferes with the intestines' ability to absorb nutrients and deliver them into the bloodstream.
Drugs used to treat AIDS may cause insulin resistance or diabetes in some individuals. If left untreated, this can cause the body to be unable to properly use the sugar found in food for energy. Wasting syndrome, a condition in which 10 percent or more of body weight is lost, is a common problem for people with AIDS. It is characterized by excessive weakness and fever or diarrhea, relates AIDS.gov. Wasting syndrome is a complicated problem that creates a need for extra calories and nutrition.
Treatment
Many of the nutritional problems found in AIDS are treated by finding ways to consume extra calories and nutrients. Individuals are often told to drink high-calorie nutritional drinks or eat other high-calorie foods and to increase their intake of protein. Vitamins may be prescribed to treat deficiencies. A soft, bland diet may be ordered if thrush makes eating difficult. Occasionally, a feeding tube may be needed, either temporarily or permanently, to give the person with AIDS calories and nutrition that cannot be consumed orally.
Prevention
Some nutritional problems in AIDS can be avoided by maintaining a proper diet rich in vegetables, fruits, fiber and protein. To meet additional protein needs, both animal and non-animal protein sources should be considered. Excess sugar and sweetened foods should usually be avoided and saturated fat should be limited. Consumption of small meals along with multiple snacks can often help the person who is losing weight due to poor appetite.
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