Learn to manage the diet of people with a medical condition.
Therapeutic nutrition is the provision of nutrients to maintain and/ or restore optimal nutrition and health. Therapeutic diets may be required as therapy for a disease e.g. coeliac disease or to treat malnutrition arising from low energy and nutrient intakes or due to increased energy and nutrient needs.
Course Structure
There are 9 lessons in this course:
1. Introduction to Therapeutic Nutrition
· What is Therapeutic Nutrition
· Where is it Applied
· Oral Nutrition
· Nausea and Vomiting
· Swallowing Problems
· Weight Loss & Reduced Appetite
· Nutritional Supplement
· Artifical Nutrition
· Enteral Nutrition
· Parenteral Nutrition (Hyperalimentation)
2. Allergies and Intolerances
· Food Allergy
· Foot Intolerance
· Diagnosis of Food Allergy or Intolerance
· Dietary Managment of Food Allergy and Intolerance
· Peanut Allergy
· Cow's Milk Allergy
· Coeliac Disease
3. Diabetes
· What is Diabetes?
· Types of Diabetes
· Complications Associated with Diabetes
· Prevention and Treatment
· Monitoring of Diabetes
· Therapeutic Nutrition & Diabetes
4. Heart Disease, Hyperlipidemia and Arteriosclerosis
· Introduction
· Modifiable Risk Factors
· Dietary Fat & Cholesterol
· Other Dietary Factors
5. Renal/Kidney Conditions
· Glomerulonephritis, Acute & Chronic
· Nephrotic Syndrome
· Nephrosclerosis
· Acute Renal Failure (ARF)
· Chronic Renal Failure (CRF)
· Eating the right amount of Energy
· Fluid Restrictions
· Sodium Restrictions
· Diet & Kidney Stones
6. Cancer
· Dietary Factors associated with Cancer
· Cancer Therapy
· Nutritional Side-Effects and Suggested Dietary Management
7. Digestive Disorders & Diet - Oesophagus, Small Intestine, Colon
· Introduction
· Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
· Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD): Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis & Ulcerative Colitis
8. Other Metabolic Conditions (eg. Liver, Gall bladder, Pancreas, etc)
· The Liver
· Hepatitis
· Cirrhosis
· The Gallbladder
· Gall Stones
· The Pancreas
· Acute Pancreatitis
· Chronic Pancreatitis
9. Strategic Diet planning for a medical condition
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?
This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.
If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.
If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.
You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.
Aims
Discuss the nature and scope of Therapeutic Nutrition; and identify circumstances where diet may need modification
Explain different types of food allergy and intolerance and provide information on diagnosis, clinical symptoms and appropriate dietary modifications.
Explain what diabetes is and describe appropriate dietary adjustments that for people with Diabetes.
Explain appropriate dietary adjustments that should be made for people with Cardiovascular Disease
Explain appropriate dietary adjustments that should be made for people with Heart Disease, Hyperlipidemia or Artheriolsclerosis
Explain appropriate dietary adjustments that should be made for people with Kidney conditions
Explain appropriate dietary adjustments that should be made for people with different types of cancer
Explain appropriate dietary adjustments that should be made for people with a variety of digestive disorders
Explain appropriate dietary adjustments that should be made for people with diseases of the liver, gall bladder and pancreas
To evaluate the dietary requirements of a client or patient, who has a medical condition; giving appropriate consideration to that condition; and to identify responsible options for diet planning in response to the situation.
Sample Course Notes
Swallowing problems
Chewing and swallowing problems (also called dysphagia) can result from diseases such as stroke, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and dementia. The cause of swallowing difficulties must always be investigated by a doctor. If food and liquid cannot be swallowed safely it may be aspirated or drawn into the lungs. As the airways become blocked, the person will begin to choke and this choking fit may be fatal for frail, elderly people. The aspiration of food and fluid into the lungs can also cause aspiration pneumonia.
Once the cause of swallowing difficulties has been investigated, people may be advised to follow a specific diet. Examples include a minced diet where all food is minced for easier chewing or swallowing and a pureed diet, where a blender or food processor to puree foods to the consistency of baby food, while soft and smooth foods, such as applesauce, puddings and eggs can be served in their normal form. Thickened fluids may be recommended as a remedy to chewing and swallowing problems. Artificial food thickeners are available from the pharmacy while natural thickeners include tapioca, flour and instant potato flakes.
Weight loss and reduced appetite
Unintentional weight loss is a decrease in body weight that is not voluntary. In other words, you did not try to loss the weight by dieting or exercising. There are many causes of unintentional weight loss. Examples include, cancer, depression, drugs such as chemotherapy drugs, Eating disorders, loss of appetite and malnutrition. Painful mouth ulcers or a loss of teeth may also prevent someone eating normally and result in weight loss. Weight loss and poor oral intake can have a serious impact on a person’s clinical outcome following a surgical procedure. Causing reduced immune function, poor wound healing and thus, longer hospital stays.
Here are some tips to help people with poor appetite and weight loss, you may think of others-
Try to eat small and frequent meals and snacks, for example, every 2 hours. Suitable snacks include cheese and crackers, sandwiches, savoury biscuits, ready made desserts such as yoghurt, rice pudding and crème caramel.
Take advantage of times when you do feel well, and have a larger meal then. Many people have a better appetite first thing in the morning, when they are well rested.
If your doctor allows, have a small glass of wine or beer during a meal. It may help to stimulate your appetite
During meals, sip only small amounts because drinking may make you feel full. If you want to have more than just a small amount to drink, have it 30-60 minutes before or after a meal.
Fortify foods e.g. with milk powder and foods high in fats and sugars.
Example Assignment From the Course
1) Looking back over your food diary, discuss how your diet meets the main nutritional recommendations and highlight any possible nutritional deficiencies. Write between 150 and 200 words.
2) What tips could you offer to someone suffering from nausea/ reduced appetite to help them to increase their nutritional intake? Write around 150 to 200 words.
3) Compare the cost and nutritional composition of 3 different build up drinks. You may find this information by looking at the labels of products available in the local chemist/ supermarket or health food store or by searching for information on the manufacturer’s website on the internet. Alternatively you can often find the nutritional composition of particular products by searching on the internet (you should spend about 1 hour on this task. Submit your results in a table showing the brand, the composition and the cost.
4) Report back on your set task, list the ingredients used in your blended drink and your reasons for including them. Include information on the drinks nutritional composition. If you subsequently made up the product, comment on how it tasted/ looked. Do you think the product would be acceptable to someone with a poor appetite. How much of the product do you think a patient could drink each day?
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
