I recognize cachexia by these symptoms
Cachexia is a massive weight loss that is accompanied by relatively characteristic symptoms. According to the definition, cachexia is said to occur when more than 5 percent of the initially current body weight is lost within half a year. This results in a typical appearance of severe emaciation.
This makes the various bones of the affected person highly visible. Any fat reserves disappear and make the ribs, for example, appear more prominent. The face also appears sunken and hollow, as the cheek bones become highly visible.
The loss of fat reserves is even visible in the eyes, which are deeper. This is due to the fact that behind the eyeballs there is a cushion of fat, which is also used up over time in cachexia. Depending on the cause of the cachexia, other symptoms may be added.
These include increased bleeding of the skin and gums, brittle nails and hair and the increased occurrence of inflammation, especially in the area of the mouth. Visual disturbances and sensory disturbances due to damage to the nerves can also occur. The final stage of cachexia is characterized by extreme emaciation and emaciation of the body.
In the course of cachexia, the body uses up the last possible energy reserves of the body, so that in the final stage of cachexia the muscles of the body have largely disappeared. The body’s fatty tissue is also completely used up. The body is extremely weak and those affected are usually unable to stand. Movements are hardly possible anymore, as they cost too much energy.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of cachexia is made by a doctor.The focus here is primarily on the appearance of the person concerned. Various factors, such as posture, skin color and the protrusion of bone structures, can provide clues for diagnosis. In addition, the body weight and height of the person are important criteria.
If the body mass index (BMI) calculated from these factors is less than 18.5 kg/m2, this is referred to as cachexia by definition. Furthermore, the anamnesis, i.e. the doctor-patient conversation, is very important in the diagnosis in order to find out possible causes for cachexia. The treatment of cachexia is often relatively complex.
First and foremost, the cause of cachexia must be identified in order to treat it adequately. If it is still treatable, the cachexia will also regress over time. Accordingly, for example in the case of cachexia caused by heart failure, drugs are given to reduce the disturbances in heart function.
The same is done for kidney failure and many other diseases. In the case of cancer, different treatment options are available, depending on the type of cancer. These include irradiation and the use of various chemotherapies.
If the person concerned suffers from AIDS, the drug Serostim, for example, may be used for treatment. If the cachexia is caused by an eating disorder or malnutrition, the therapy consists of a change in diet, usually accompanied by psychotherapy. Unfortunately, the causes of cachexia cannot always be treated.
Accordingly, it is often necessary to perform palliative, i.e. not curative, measures. This includes, for example, artificial feeding of the affected person. If a cachexia cannot be improved quickly enough by fighting the cause, in many cases artificial feeding is necessary.
Due to the cause of the cachexia, the administration of nutrients via an infusion into the veins is often chosen for this purpose. This method is also called parenteral nutrition, since the digestive tract is not involved in the form of nutrition. In some cases, however, a so-called enteral artificial feeding with the help of a stomach tube may be considered.
