What is malnutrition? Discuss its causes and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Answers
Answer:
Malnutrition occurs when a person gets too much or too little of certain nutrients. Undernutrition occurs when they lack nutrients because they eat too little food overall. A person with undernutrition may lack vitamins, minerals, and other essential substances that their body needs to function. Malnutrition can lead to:
short- and long-term health problems
slow recovery from wounds and illnesses
Symptoms
Some signs and symptoms of malnutrition include:
a lack of appetite or interest in food or drink
tiredness and irritability
an inability to concentrate
always feeling cold
depression
loss of fat, muscle mass, and body tissue
longer healing time for wounds
a higher risk of complications after surgery
Eventually, a person may also experience difficulty breathing and heart failure.
Causes
Malnutrition can occur for various reasons. The sections below outline these potential causes in more detail.
A low intake of food
Some people develop malnutrition because there is not enough food available or because they have difficulty eating or absorbing nutrients.
This can happen as a result of:
cancer
liver disease
conditions that cause nausea or make it difficult to eat or swallow
Mouth problems such as badly fitting dentures may also contribute to malnutrition.
Mental health conditions
Undernutrition or malnutrition can affect people with:
depression
dementia
schizophrenia
Factors that can affect a person’s eating habits and potentially lead to malnutrition include:
being unable to leave the house or reach a store to buy food
finding it physically difficult to prepare meals
living alone, which can affect a person’s motivation to cook and eat
having limited cooking skills
not having enough money to spend on food
Digestive disorders and stomach conditions
If the body does not absorb nutrients efficiently, even a healthful diet may not prevent malnutrition.
Examples of digestive and stomach conditions that may cause this include:
Crohn’s disease
ulcerative colitis
celiac disease
persistent diarrhea, vomiting, or both
Alcohol use disorder
Consuming a lot of alcohol can lead to gastritis or long-term damage to the pancreas. These issues can make it hard to digest food, absorb vitamins, and produce hormones that regulate metabolism.
Alcohol also contains calories, so a person may not feel hungry after drinking it. They may therefore not eat enough healthful food to supply the body with essential nutrients.
Risk factors
In some parts of the world, widespread and long-term malnutrition can result from a lack of food.
In the wealthier nations, however, those most at risk of malnutrition include:
older adults, especially when they are in the hospital or long-term institutional care
people who are socially isolated — for example, due to mobility issues, health problems, or other factors
people with a low income
people recovering from or living with a serious illness or condition
those who have difficulty absorbing nutrients
people with chronic eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia nervosaDiagnosis
If a person shows or notices any signs of malnutrition, the first step will be to find out why.
If a doctor suspects Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, or another condition, they may carry out laboratory tests to confirm a diagnosis. Treating these conditions can improve a person’s nutritional status.
They may also carry out the following:
blood tests for general screening and monitoring
tests for specific nutrients, such as iron or vitamins
prealbumin tests, as malnutrition commonly affects levels of this protein
albumin tests, which may indicate liver or kidney diseaseTreatment
If a doctor diagnoses malnutrition, they will make a treatment plan for the person. The person may also need to meet with a nutritionist and other healthcare providers.
Treatment will depend on the severity of the malnutrition and the presence of any other underlying conditions or complications.
It may include:
ongoing screening and monitoring
making a dietary plan, which might include taking supplements
treating specific symptoms, such as nausea
treating any infections that may be present
checking for any mouth or swallowing problems
suggesting alternative eating utensils
In severe cases, a person may need to:
spend time in the hospital
gradually start taking in nutrients over a number of days
receive nutrients such as potassium and calcium intravenously
The person’s healthcare team will continue to monitor them to ensure that they are getting the nutrition they need.
Prevention
To prevent malnutrition, people need to consume a range of nutrients from a variety of food types.
Older adults, young children, people with severe or chronic illness, and others may need additional care to ensure that they obtain the nutrients they need.
Anyone who starts to show signs of malnutrition or undernutrition should see a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.