Cachexia - causes and signs of cachexia

In medicine, there are two main forms of cachexia:

• primary (exogenous) - occurs when food intake is low or if its energy and nutritional value is insignificant;
• secondary (endogenous) - a complication of various diseases.

Causes

The following can lead to the development of cachexia:

• starvation;
• diets;
• anorexia;
• nervous anorexia;
• taking medications that reduce appetite (antidepressants, psychostimulants);
• oncological diseases;
• diseases of the oral cavity, oropharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestines;
• systemic lupus erythematosus;
• systemic scleroderma;
• dermatomyositis;
• poison intoxication;
• hepatitis;
• liver cirrhosis;
• viral and bacterial infections;
• chronic alcoholism;
• drug addiction;
• sepsis;
• AIDS.

Groups of factors that influence the development of cachexia:

• The first group is an insignificant intake of nutrients into the human body (starvation, diseases of the teeth, oral cavity, esophagus).
• The second group is inadequate absorption nutrients (stomach and intestinal diseases, surgical interventions on these organs).
• The third group is an increased need for nutrients (rehabilitation after severe injuries, surgical interventions).
• The fourth group is activated losses of nutrients (kidney diseases, burns).
• The fifth group is too fast metabolism ("cancer cachexia", heart failure, infections, endocrine diseases).

Symptoms

Cachexia can be established by the following symptoms:

• weight loss;
• weakness;
• sleep disturbances (sleepiness during the day and insomnia at night);
• decreased performance;
• tendency to frequent infections;
• decreased libido;
• impotence;
• hypovitaminosis;
• dry skin, mucous membranes;
• loss and brittleness of hair, nails;
• tendency to hypotension;
• edema;
• depression, tearfulness, bad mood;
• fainting.

Diagnostics

The patient needs to undergo the following diagnostic procedures:

• analysis of the medical history and complaints;
• analysis of the medical history of life;
• complete blood count;
• blood chemistry test;
• blood culture if sepsis (blood poisoning) is suspected;
• urinalysis;
• ultrasound examination (ultrasound);
• computed tomography (CT);
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
• x-ray examination;
• esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

The patient should also undergo a physical examination, which includes determination of:

• body mass and index;
• subcutaneous fat thickness;
• skin elasticity;
• degrees of disorder of consciousness.

The patient will need to consult a gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, surgeon, oncologist, neurologist, psychiatrist.

Treatment

Cachexia is treated in hospital.

The treatment of cachexia includes the following methods:

• adherence to a balanced diet - food should be fortified with vitamins, rich in microelements and macroelements;
• prescribing multivitamin preparations to treat hypovitaminosis (vitamin deficiency in the body);
• prescribing enzyme preparations (to improve digestion);
• prescribing antibacterial therapy (in case of treating infectious diseases);
• prescribing growth hormones;
• prescribing appetite stimulants;
• prescribing hormonal drugs.

As a rule, cachexia is a complication of other diseases.

At the same time, cachexia can also develop complications. The patient may develop hypovitaminosis (vitamin deficiency in the body):

• vitamin A — "night blindness" (impaired twilight vision);
• vitamin D — osteoporosis (decreased bone density), bone fractures;
• vitamin K — bleeding;
• vitamin E — muscle weakness, infertility.

The following complications may also occur as a result of cachexia:

• coma;
• sepsis (blood poisoning);
• gastrointestinal bleeding in gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer;
• heart and kidney failure;
• dehydration (dehydration).

Prevention

Preventive measures to prevent the occurrence of cachexia:

• timely treat alcoholism, drug addiction;
• eat well, reduce the amount of fried, canned, too hot and spicy food;
• do not overeat;
• eat foods with a high fiber content (vegetables, fruits, greens).