Cachexia

Cachexia is a serious condition that occurs as a result of chronic diseases and is characterized by a sharp decrease in body weight, weakness and general malaise. This condition can lead to serious complications and deterioration in the quality of life of patients.

Cachexia is often associated with neoplastic diseases such as cancer. Cancer patients may experience constant fatigue and loss of appetite, leading to weight loss and poor health. In addition, cachexia can occur with pulmonary tuberculosis and malaria.

The mechanisms underlying cachexia are still not fully understood. However, it is known that cachexia is associated with metabolic and energy balance disorders in the body. At the same time, the level of inflammation in the body can also increase, which worsens the symptoms of cachexia.

Treatment of cachexia is aimed at improving nutrition, increasing body weight, and reducing symptoms. It is also important to treat the underlying disease that caused the cachexia. In some cases, medications may be prescribed that stimulate appetite and improve metabolism.

However, despite best efforts, cachexia may not be treatable and can lead to serious complications, such as a weakened immune system and an increased risk of infections. Therefore, it is important to promptly consult a doctor if symptoms of cachexia appear and follow his recommendations for treating the underlying disease and improving overall health.

Cachexia: A condition caused by a chronic illness

Cachexia is a serious medical condition that develops as a result of chronic illness and is characterized by sudden weight loss, weakness and general malaise. This condition often occurs in patients suffering from cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis and malaria, although it can also occur in other chronic diseases such as heart failure, chronic renal failure and HIV infection.

Cachexia usually develops in the context of a long-term and progressive disease in which the body experiences a systematic inflammatory response and metabolic dysfunction. This leads to loss of appetite, decreased protein synthesis, and accumulation of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α). As a result, patients lose muscle and fat mass, which leads to general exhaustion of the body.

One of the main characteristics of cachexia is disproportionate weight loss, in which more muscle is lost than fat. This distinguishes cachexia from simple weight loss associated with diet or exercise. In addition, patients with cachexia experience weakness, fatigue, decreased physical activity, and poor treatment tolerance.

Cachexia has a negative impact on the prognosis and quality of life of patients. It is associated with increased mortality, worse response to treatment, frequent complications, and prolonged hospitalization. Moreover, cachexia can worsen the emotional state of patients, causing depression, anxiety and social isolation.

Treatment for cachexia is aimed at reducing inflammation, stimulating appetite, and increasing protein synthesis. An important component of treatment is dietary therapy aimed at achieving adequate nutrition and preventing further weight loss. In addition, physical rehabilitation and pharmacological medications such as anabolic steroids, protein supplements, and appetite suppressants may be used.

In conclusion, cachexia is a serious condition accompanying chronic diseases and has a significant impact on the health and quality of life of patients. It leads to a sharp decrease in body weight, weakness and general malaise. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the development of cachexia and developing effective treatments are the subject of active research. A better understanding of this condition may help develop new approaches to manage cachexia and improve the prognosis for patients suffering from chronic diseases.

Cachexia (from ancient Greek χάησξις - exhaustion of the body and “εἶδος” - appearance, appearance; thirst) is a neuro-arthritic syndrome caused by cachesma (protein-energy starvation), or with insufficient supply of nutrients from food, in the case of alimentary dystrophy (alimentary diarrhea). Cachexia is also called an increased catabolic state of the body. Cachexia is caused by various reasons, and exogenous ones can be combined (for example, malnutrition, but not only, protein deficiency due to impaired gastrin secretion, insufficiency of adrenergic stimulation of gastric contraction, alcoholism, immunodeficiencies,