Malnutrition, undernutrition or malnutrition is rather rare in the Western world, but malnutrition can still occur due to misunderstood diet or one-sided nutrition. Especially children and adolescents can suffer great damage in their mental and physical development due to malnutrition. This must be avoided through healthy and balanced nutrition.
What is malnutrition?
Malnutrition is a one-sided, deficient diet that lacks important additives, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Malnutrition is specified into malnutrition and undernutrition. Malnutrition is a condition in which the body shows clear signs of a lack of energy. The missing components (protein, vitamins) must be supplied to the body elsewhere to maintain a functioning metabolism. Often, malnutrition is associated with a vitamin deficiency. Those affected by malnutrition also usually suffer from underweight and/or dehydration. In simple terms, malnutrition refers to a mismatch between nutrient requirements and nutrient intake.
Causes
Elderly and nursing home patients are more likely to be affected by malnutrition, especially when they can no longer take care of their own diet and do not consume enough food and fluids. Pathological anorexia nervosa leads to significant malnutrition. Here, we no longer speak of malnutrition, but of undernourishment, which can lead to death if left untreated. Young girls are particularly affected by this form of malnutrition. This eating disorder has its causes in the social sphere (fashion, slimness ideal) and must primarily be treated psychologically. The same applies to bulimia (binge eating disorder). Food intolerance or an excessive change of diet can also lead to malnutrition. Malnutrition is often associated with poverty. In fact, people in developing countries often suffer from life-threatening malnutrition due to one-sided and lack of food. Even eating only one food (predominantly fish, predominantly rice) leads to serious deficiency symptoms.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Symptoms of malnutrition affect the entire body when all or almost all nutrients are lacking. Otherwise, specific symptoms also occur when individual substances are lacking. A lack of carbohydrates, for example, leads to circulatory problems, fatigue, a feeling of weakness and headaches. Sometimes visual disturbances occur. A protein deficiency manifests itself in a weakened immune system and a reduction in muscle mass. In addition, the body’s self-healing powers are weakened and other diseases tend to take a more severe course. A deficiency of individual vitamins or minerals manifests itself in various symptoms. For example, there are changes in the appearance of the skin and hair growth. An iron deficiency leads to anemia and severe fatigue. Other symptoms that can occur with malnutrition include permanent circulatory problems. These increase the risk of falls and accidents. Movement patterns can be disturbed, and skeletal muscles become weaker. The risk of bone fracture is increased. This can also be caused by degraded substance in the bones. In addition, there is a weakened heart. It usually pumps more slowly and cardiac arrhythmias develop. Breathing also becomes shallower, and breaths become shorter. Mild malnutrition usually results only in lassitude and loss of appetite. Severe malnutrition can cause the listed symptoms and also neurological disorders (especially transient neurological dropouts).
Diagnosis and course
Malnutrition starts slowly and is hardly noticed at first. The body feels listless and tired, along with difficulty concentrating and increased susceptibility to illness (colds, skin rashes). Only later does weight loss become noticeable, because the body initially draws the missing nutrients from the body’s own reserves in the case of malnutrition. The skin turns gray and dries out, muscle atrophy and stomach inflammations occur. Overweight people get circulatory problems due to malnutrition. A malnutrition can be detected by the family doctor by means of an examination and a blood test.Being underweight can be a sign of malnutrition. Parents should pay attention to changes in their children’s eating habits and intervene in good time. Dehydration (too little fluid intake) over a long period of time can lead to anemia and even stroke.
Complications
Quantitative malnutrition invariably leads to a number of secondary complications if not corrected. Beyond just weight loss and lack of energy, secondary complications include poor wound healing, a severely weakened immune system, and bone density loss. Vision and the brain are also affected, leading to cognitive disorders. In addition, a lack of fat always leads to a lack of fat-soluble vitamins, which also has a sensitive effect on cell health and the immune system. Secondary complications of malnutrition can be triggered by even simple infectious diseases, minor injuries or increased stress. All of the ailments are exacerbated by the circulatory problems and nerve damage that occur as a result of mineral deficiencies. A deficiency of iron leads to anemia, among other things. The complication at the end of any severe malnutrition is death. Children are particularly affected here. Qualitative malnutrition leads to complications that depend on the type of substance not taken in or taken in too little. Deficient vitamins and minerals lead to nervous disorders, immune system deficiencies and general weakness. Elderly people are particularly affected here. The lack of strength also aggravates already existing ailments, which increases the mortality rate from cardiovascular problems and the like. Insufficient intake of protein and fat causes, among other things, muscle breakdown and the degeneration of tissues. The end of quantitative malnutrition is not necessarily death. Rather, diseases that are exacerbated by malnutrition are a risk factor.
When should you go to the doctor?
Malnutrition is a serious condition that should generally always be treated by an appropriate physician. When malnutrition exists, the human body lacks important nutrients that are not absorbed through normal means. For this reason, these nutrients must be supplied artificially. With food supplements or by an artificial tube the important nutrients must be administered. Those who forego medical and drug treatment expose themselves to great risk. In many cases, there is a general feeling of malaise, headaches and a weakening of the entire immune system. Affected persons are more susceptible to infectious diseases, since no defenses can be built up. Thus, the following applies: In the case of a present malnutrition, the visit to the doctor should not be delayed. Already at the first signs and symptoms an appropriate physician is to be visited. However, the cause of malnutrition must be diagnosed. Merely combating or eliminating the symptoms is not sufficient. However, those who seek medical treatment at an early stage can expect a quick and complete recovery.
Treatment and therapy
Malnutrition is easy to treat. The trigger, namely the one-sided diet, must be changed. Nutrient intake must be adjusted to meet nutrient requirements. Extremely anorexic patients receive electrolytes and nutrient solutions by drip. A person can get by with little food for a long period of time. However, the body always needs fluids in sufficient quantities. To prevent dehydration, a person must drink at least one liter of water, tea or juice daily. Two liters of water would be optimal. Malnutrition is not necessarily a poverty problem in Germany. Even with little money, a balanced diet can be ensured. If there is already a clear malnutrition, the change of diet is supported with vitamin and restorative preparations, so that the body can recover more quickly. The stomach must also first be slowly accustomed to the improved dietary change. Protein food, dairy products and plenty of fruits and vegetables are important. Severely overweight individuals should have a planned diet monitored by their primary care physician to prevent malnutrition.
Outlook and prognosis
The effects of malnutrition can vary in severity.Basically, the cause and the extent of the incorrect or missing food consumption play a significant role in the prognosis. General statements are difficult to make. In the following, they can only be formulated for the economic area of industrialized countries. In Germany, addicts and older people are considered to be risk groups. People who emulate false ideals of beauty are also susceptible due to one-sided nutrition cycles. Alcoholics, for example, have increased nutrient requirements stemming from their pathological behavior. Senior citizens are often neglected or no longer invest anything in their lives. In principle, these groups of people can be helped. The earlier therapy begins, the more likely there is to be a cure. Conversely, this means: If malnutrition is accepted over a longer period of time, irreparable damage can develop. According to scientific surveys, malnutrition in the elderly is often not even recognized. They have an increased risk of death, which is also due to the limited regenerative power of the body. Other causes such as poverty, loneliness or depression can usually be addressed in talking therapies. Malnutrition is often related to a psychological imbalance.
Prevention
Malnutrition is prevented with healthy, balanced eating. Shared meals and a relaxed atmosphere at the dining table are especially important for families with children. Poor eating habits are often “homemade” and promote malnutrition due to an unbalanced diet. Small snacks in the form of a yogurt or an apple additionally prevent malnutrition.
Follow-up
Since malnutrition is a consequence of a prolonged incorrect eating style, aftercare focuses on permanently avoiding renewed malnutrition. To do this, affected individuals should try to eat healthy and balanced food, on a regular rotation. With increasing strength, performance increases, but physical activities should be taken up cautiously. Insofar as malnutrition has come about in connection with weight loss mania, which particularly affects
children and adolescents, aftercare should also include restoring mental health. Often, false role models and illusory ideas are the reason for food refusal. It can be helpful to consult a psychologist who can provide therapeutic support for the recovery process. Malnutrition in adolescents in the Western world should be taken seriously; if weight loss is not stopped, death will result in the last instance.
This is what you can do yourself
With malnutrition does not necessarily have to go to a doctor. Often it is already enough to compensate for the energy and nutrient deficiencies through dietary measures. A balanced and wholesome diet containing all important vitamins and minerals is recommended. Initially, the affected person should eat small portions, preferably foods that he or she likes and that are easy to digest and digestible. If chewing or swallowing ability is limited, the food should be pureed before consumption. Elderly people sometimes need individual assistance during meals. Special aids such as sippy cups make eating even easier. If malnutrition is based on a serious condition, this must be treated first. Therefore, a doctor should be consulted in any case with recurring deficiency symptoms. In the case of pronounced malnutrition, the affected person must be taken to the nearest hospital. In this case, further self-help measures should be refrained from. Mild malnutrition sometimes also has psychological causes that must be dealt with as part of therapy. In principle, the causes should be clarified before severe physical complaints or serious eating disorders develop.
