Nutritional Dystrophy (Hunger Sickness, Protein-Free Edema, etc.)

Nutritional degeneration, also known as starvation sickness or protein-free edema, is a serious disease caused by prolonged malnutrition and lack of nutrients in the body. The disease is characterized by general exhaustion, metabolic disorders, dystrophic changes in tissues and organs, as well as disruption of their functions. In this article we will look at the causes, mechanisms of development, symptoms and treatment methods for nutritional dystrophy.

Etiology and pathogenesis

Nutritional dystrophy can be caused by both exogenous and endogenous causes. Exogenous causes include insufficient intake and absorption of nutrients caused by insufficient digestion and absorption, deficiency of proteins, fats, essential amino acids and vitamins. Endogenous causes may include tumor or scar narrowing of the esophagus, pylorus, as well as syndromes of insufficiency of digestion and absorption.

As a result of lack of nutrition, hypoproteinemia, dystrophic changes in various organs and tissues occur, the function of many organs is disrupted, and polyglandular insufficiency occurs. Dystrophic changes in the wall of the digestive tract and digestive glands are accompanied by progressive disorders of their functions, which further aggravates changes in metabolism in the body.

Symptoms and course

Symptoms of nutritional dystrophy depend on the stage of the disease. There are three stages of nutritional dystrophy.

Stage I is characterized by decreased nutrition, pollakiuria, increased appetite, thirst, and a desire for increased consumption of table salt. The general condition of the patients does not suffer significantly. In stage II, along with a clear weight loss, the general condition of the patients worsens, muscle weakness occurs, the ability to work is lost, hypoproteinemic edema appears in the legs, and moderate body hypothermia appears.

Increased appetite and thirst, poly- and pollakiuria, initial dystrophic changes in various organs, and mental changes are observed. Stage III is characterized by cachexia, complete disappearance of subcutaneous fatty tissue, muscle atrophy, severe weakness (to the point of complete inability to make independent movements), apathy, pronounced mental changes, paresthesia, convulsions, disorders of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as well as disorders of the liver and kidney

Treatment

Treatment of nutritional dystrophy includes comprehensive measures aimed at eliminating the causes of the disease and compensating for the lack of nutrients. First of all, it is necessary to provide a sufficient amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins, as well as carry out symptomatic therapy.

If there are tumor or scar changes in the esophagus and pylorus, surgical intervention may be required. To improve digestion and absorption, medications containing digestive enzymes, as well as agents that improve the condition of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, can be prescribed.

An important aspect of treatment is psychological support and social adaptation of the patient. Patients with nutritional dystrophy require long-term and complex treatment, as well as regular medical supervision.