Intraperitoneal nutrition is a type of nutrition that is typically used for people who are on dialysis due to kidney problems. It is particularly important for people who have problems with chronic diarrhea, as they may have trouble absorbing nutrients from oral nutrition. Intraperiotoneal nutrition may benefit people who are otherwise unable to get all the needed nutrients.
Identification
Intraperitoneal nutrition is given to people undergoing peritoneal dialysis, a treatment in which a solution that contains amino acids is added to a cavity in the gut known as the peritoneum. These amino acids can then be absorbed and used by the body to make new proteins. This allows for the correction of protein malnourishment, according to a 1999 article in the "American Journal of Kidney Diseases."
About Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a condition marked by loose or watery stools that occur frequently. Many different health problems can cause diarrhea, because any disease that impairs the ability of the intestines to absorb nutrition can cause the stools to become loose. If the function of your intestines is severely compromised, the diarrhea may be severe and can result in malnutrition.
Gastrointestinal Problems
One reason why you might receive intraperitoneal nutrition is if you have a severe problem with your gastrointestinal tract. This condition can cause you to have trouble absorbing amino acids from your diet, leading to severe protein deficiency. This is particularly problematic if you have kidney disease, as people with kidney disease are also at risk for developing a protein deficiency. This may manifest as a loss of lean body mass.
Considerations
Intraperitoneal dialysis is an effective way to prevent severe protein deficits in patients who do not have the ability to get enough protein from oral feeding. However, this treatment will only be reimbursed by some insurance companies when it is clear that this procedure is necessary. Intraperiotneal nutrition also requires the use of a dialysis port in the abdomen, so it is generally only used by patients already undergoing dialysis.
