108 Where There Is No Doctor 2011
Eating right helps the body resist sickness.
Not eating well may be the direct cause of the health problems just listed. But most
important, poor nutrition weakens the body’s ability to resist all kinds of diseases,
especially infections:
• Poorly nourished children are much more likely to get severe diarrhea, and to die
from it, than are children who are well nourished.
• Measles is especially dangerous where many children are malnourished.
• Tuberculosis is more common, and gets worse more rapidly, in those who are
malnourished.
• Cirrhosis of the liver, which comes in part from drinking too much alcohol, is more
common and worse in persons who are poorly nourished.
• Even minor problems like the common cold are usually worse, last longer, or lead
to pneumonia more often in persons who are poorly nourished.
Eating right helps the sick get well.
Not only does good food help prevent disease, it helps the sick body fight disease
and become well again. So when a person is sick, eating enough nutritious food is
especially important.
Unfortunately, some mothers stop feeding a child or stop giving certain nutritious
foods when he is sick or has diarrhea—so the child becomes weaker, cannot fight
off the illness, and may die. Sick children need food! If a sick child will not eat,
encourage him to do so.
Feed him as much as he will eat and drink. And be patient. A sick child often does
not want to eat much. So feed him something many times during the day. Also, try to
make sure that he drinks a lot of liquid so that he pees (passes urine) several times a
day. If the child will not take solid foods, mash them and give them as a mush or gruel.
Often the signs of poor nutrition first appear when a person has some other
sickness. For example, a child who has had diarrhea for several days may develop
swollen hands and feet, a swollen face, dark spots, or peeling sores on his legs. These
are signs of severe malnutrition. The child needs more good food! And more often.
Feed him many times during the day.
During and after any sickness, it is very important to eat well.
EATING WELL AND
KEEPING CLEAN
ARE THE BEST
GUARANTEES
OF GOOD HEALTH.