Physical Changes Affecting Maintenance of Nutrition and Hydration

Following brain injury, physical changes may affect the person’s ability to maintain sufficient nutrition and hydration.

• Dysphagia which impairs the person’s ability to eat, drink and swallow safely. This will have a significant impact on the person’s ability to eat and drink sufficient quantities and maintain an adequately varied diet. Dysphagia may affect the person’s motivation to eat and drink.
• Trauma to the mouth and/or throat area can cause dysphagia and/or pain and discomfort when eating and drinking.
• Physical impairments which may affect the person’s ability to feed themselves or to obtain food and fluids.
• Loss of the sense of taste and smell may have a significant impact on the person’s dietary and fluid intake. Loss of pleasure associated with eating and drinking can affect levels of motivation.
• Impaired vision may cause the person to struggle to maintain nutrition and hydration.