Wasting
Wasting is a medical condition characterized by a significant loss of body weight and muscle mass. It is often associated with chronic illnesses and malnutrition. Wasting can affect individuals of all ages but is particularly concerning in children and the elderly.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Wasting can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Malnutrition
- Chronic diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and cancer
- Gastrointestinal disorders that impair nutrient absorption
- Infections that increase metabolic demands
- Endocrine disorders such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes mellitus
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The primary symptom of wasting is a noticeable reduction in body weight and muscle mass. Other symptoms may include:
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of wasting typically involves:
- Medical history and physical examination
- Body mass index (BMI) calculation
- Blood tests to identify underlying conditions
- Nutritional assessment
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment of wasting focuses on addressing the underlying cause and improving nutritional intake. Common approaches include:
- Nutritional support such as high-calorie diets and supplements
- Medications to treat underlying diseases
- Physical therapy to rebuild muscle mass
- Psychological support for mental health issues related to chronic illness
Prevention[edit | edit source]
Preventing wasting involves:
- Ensuring adequate nutrition
- Early detection and treatment of chronic diseases
- Regular medical check-ups
- Public health measures to reduce the incidence of infectious diseases
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External links[edit | edit source]
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD