Proper nutrition matters, and it helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. However, various factors like underlying health conditions can affect receiving proper nutrition. Read on for ways to solve health issues with appropriate nutrition.

Having trouble eating is common. Yet, there are instances where your appetite is affected by different changes. As a result, you might face health challenges due to not receiving adequate nutrients to keep your bodily processes functioning.

You are not alone if you face health concerns associated with poor nutrition. Common nutritional risk factors include:

Lack of Appetite

One of the most common and troublesome nutritional problems you may encounter is a lack of appetite. Several possible causes include physical and emotional changes, an underlying health concern or side effects to specific medications. Consulting with your doctor can help with accurate diagnosis.

However, it’s important to know that persistent loss of appetite can lead to severe health concerns. For instance, you might experience malnutrition and weight loss that can weaken your immune system. In most cases, it can be treated with proper nutrition and accurate medication.

Healthy Weight Gain

In some cases, it can be a challenge to maintain healthy weight gain. You can find yourself losing or gaining more weight over short periods. Research suggests that various factors such as age, genetics, and undiagnosed health conditions can affect healthy weight gain.

For instance, FTO (Fat mass and obesity-associated protein) is linked to people prone to obesity. On the other hand, congenital generalised lipodystrophy is a rare condition responsible for rapid weight loss and can lead to a complete lack of fatty tissue. A nutritional diet can help maintain healthy weight gain and reduce the risks of accelerated weight loss.

Heartburn

Occasional heartburn is expected and generally doesn’t cause more than temporary discomfort. However, there are cases where severe cases can lead to irritation and damage to your oesophagus when left untreated. The lack of adequate medical treatment can increase the risk of ulcers and oesophageal cancer.

It’s essential to ensure diet and lifestyle changes before heartburn becomes a significant health concern. Severe symptoms like a bitter and acidic taste in your mouth after meals are an immediate sign to visit your doctor. If medication doesn’t relieve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery to reduce the potential damage to your oesophagus.

Oral Health

Oral and throat problems such as a sore throat or dryness in and around your mouth can make consuming various nutritional foods and beverages difficult. Additionally, your appetite might be affected, and you can experience changes in food taste. A healthy mouth plays a vital role in maintaining your overall health.

Dental concerns, such as missing teeth or gum disease can make chewing and swallowing foods difficult. This affects the nutritional value you should gain from the foods you consume. On the other hand, lack of proper nutrition can impact oral health and lead to tooth decay and related infectious oral diseases.

Diarrhoea

The tolerance of specific foods varies from person to person. Sometimes, food can cause digestive problems such as cramping and severe diarrhoea. While there are other reasons you may experience diarrhoea, it’s essential to know that it’s associated with an increased risk of losing vital minerals if it’s not treated.

Consulting with your doctor can help address the cause of diarrhoea. For example, if a specific medication is a risk factor, your doctor can provide an alternative prescription that won’t affect your health. Most importantly, ensure you drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration that can lead to life-threatening health risks.