ICU Nutrition Support in Sharjah

What is critical care nutrition?

Serious illness uses up a great deal of energy and protein. Fever, infection, healing wounds and the work of breathing all draw on the body's reserves, and muscle is broken down quickly when food runs short. Feeding in intensive care aims to slow that loss and give the body the building blocks it needs to recover.

There are two main routes. The first, and usually preferred, is tube feeding, also called enteral feeding: a soft, thin tube passes through the nose or mouth into the stomach, and a liquid feed containing energy, protein, vitamins and minerals runs in slowly from a pump. Using the gut keeps it active and healthy, which is why the team chooses this route whenever the stomach and bowel are working.

The second is feeding through a vein, called parenteral nutrition. A carefully balanced liquid goes directly into the bloodstream, usually through a central line in the neck or chest. This route is kept for times when the gut needs rest or is absorbing too little, for example after some kinds of abdominal surgery.

Who needs it

Most patients who spend more than a short time in intensive care receive some form of nutrition support. It is especially relevant for your relative if they:

• Have a breathing tube and are on a ventilator, described on our mechanical ventilation page
• Are too drowsy or weak to swallow safely
• Have had major surgery on the stomach or bowel
• Are fighting a severe infection or recovering from several organs being supported at once, as explained on the multi-organ support page
• Were already underweight or eating poorly before admission

What happens

At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, the ICU doctor and nurses plan feeding as part of the daily review, alongside breathing, circulation and medicines. The feeding tube is usually placed at the bedside, and its position is confirmed before any feed is given, often with an X-ray or a simple test of fluid drawn back through the tube.

Feeding normally starts slowly and is built up over the following days. A gradual start matters, because after a period of eating little the body can react badly to a sudden full load of food, shifting important salts in the blood. Blood tests guide each step.

While a feed is running, the head of the bed is kept raised to help the feed stay in the stomach. Nurses watch for signs the stomach is emptying slowly, such as bloating or vomiting, and the team may use medicines that help the gut move. Feeds are sometimes paused before a procedure or scan, so a gap in feeding is often part of the plan.

Blood sugar is checked regularly, and it often rises during critical illness even in people without diabetes. Insulin is given through a pump when needed to keep levels within a safe range.

Where a patient has complex needs, specialist dietetic advice is arranged by referral. You can read more about the hospital's general nutrition services on the Nutrition and Dietetics page, for information only.

Preparing for it

Families often want to help through food, and that wish is natural and kind. The most useful things you can bring are information and patience:

• Tell the team about your relative's usual diet, weight changes, appetite over recent weeks and any food allergies or intolerances.
• Share religious or cultural needs, such as halal requirements or preferences around fasting, so these can be respected in the plan.
• Bring a list of their medicines, including supplements and herbal remedies.
• Choose one family contact to receive updates and pass them on.
• Please check with the nurse before bringing any food or drink. Someone recovering from a breathing tube may have a weak swallow, and even a small sip or spoonful can slip into the lungs and cause a chest infection. Once the team confirms swallowing is safe, favourite foods from home are often welcome.

If close family are abroad, let the team know so updates can reach them. Visiting arrangements are explained by the unit.

Afterwards

After a breathing tube comes out, the throat and swallowing muscles need time to recover. A nurse or doctor checks swallowing before food and drink restart, often beginning with sips of water and moving on to soft foods. If there are concerns, a more detailed swallowing assessment is arranged with the relevant specialist.

Appetite usually returns slowly, and your relative may still need tube feeds or supplement drinks while eating builds up. Weight and muscle loss are common after intensive care, and regaining strength takes time, gentle movement and good nutrition together.

If anything worries you, speak to the nurse caring for your relative or ask to see the doctor. After discharge, call the hospital on 06 599 7777 if eating or drinking becomes difficult, and seek emergency help at once for choking or sudden difficulty breathing.

Cost and insurance

Nutrition support is part of intensive care treatment, which most UAE insurance plans cover through notification and ongoing approval during the stay. Some plans treat specialist feeds or supplements separately, so it is worth checking. The insurance office at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can guide your family on 06 599 7777.