Malnutrition & weight loss

Malnutrition & weight loss

Malnutrition is undesired weight loss can occur because of an inadequately nutritious diet relative to a person's energy needs. Disease processes, changes in metabolism, hormonal changes, medications or other treatments, disease- or treatment-related dietary changes, or reduced appetite associated with a disease or treatment can also cause undesired weight loss. Malnutrition may cause many swear problems or diseases some of them are as under.

Impaired Intake

Poor appetite is a direct symptom of an illness, or an illness could make eating painful or induce nausea. Illness can also cause food aversion. Inability to eat can result of diminished consciousness or confusion, or physical problems affecting the arm or hands, swallowing or chewing. Eating restrictions may also be imposed as part of treatment or investigations. Lack of food can result of poverty, difficulty in shopping or cooking, and poor quality meals.

Impaired digestion & absorption

This can be the result of conditions that effect the digestive system.

Altered requirements

Changes to metabolic demand can be cussed by illness surgery and organ disfunction.

Excess nutrient losses

Losses from the gastrointestinal can occur because of symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea, as well as fistulae and stomas. There can also be losses from drains, including nasogastric tubes.

Other losses

Conditions such as burns can be associated with losses such as skin exudates.

Other diseases related to malnutrition or weight loss are as under

Cancer

Cancer is a very common and sometimes fatal cause of unexplained or idiopathic weight loss. About one-third of undesired weight loss cases are secondary to malignancy. Cancers to suspect in patients with unexplained weight loss include gastrointestinal, prostate, hepatobilary or, pancreatic cancer ovarian, hematologic or lung malignancies.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

About 35% of patients experience severe weight loss called pulmonary cachexia, including diminished muscle mass Around 25% experience moderate to severe weight loss, and most others have some weight loss. Greater weight loss is associated with poorer prognosis.

HIV. Infection

It is often observed that the person infected with HIV loss weight, and it is associated with poorer outcomes. Wasting syndrome is an AIDS defining condition.

Gastrointestinal disorders

These are other common causes of undesired weight loss

Other causes of weight loss may be the celiac disease, peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, gastritis, parasitic diseases,AIDS Renal disease, Cardiac disease, Neurologic disease.