Symptoms of Malnutrition

Malnutrition is an imbalance of essential nutrients in the body. It occurs when one does not follow a balanced diet, or if one's diet lacks in sufficient amounts of nutritious foods. This could lead to undernutrition or overnutrition. Starvation is an extreme form of undernutrition, which is more likely to affect people in underdeveloped countries.

If the diet doesn't contain the right amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals, it can give rise to several health problems. At times, malnourishment might occur due to problems associated with digestion or absorption of nutrients. The symptoms of malnutrition could be observed at any age.

The following sections list out some of these symptoms.

Infants and growing children are often affected by malnutrition. Symptoms that might be experienced by a malnourished child include:

◆ Dry and flaking skin with scales
◆ Swollen and painful joints
◆ Weakness in the muscle and trembling
◆ Osteoporosis (a condition wherein the bones can break easily)
◆ Dizziness and slowed reflexes

◆ Fatigue and loss of energy
◆ Weight loss
◆ Growth retardation
◆ Problems associated with functioning of the organs
◆ Bleeding gums and tooth decay
◆ Weak immune system
◆ Poor memory
◆ Deficiencies of Vitamin A that can cause loss of vision
◆ Measles
◆ Mumps
◆ Kwashiorkar
◆ Marasmus

Kwashiokar and Marasmas occur due to loss of protein energy metabolism. They are often indicative of malnutrition.

Malnutrition could cause serious health problems like diabetes, obesity, hypertension, etc., and could give rise to symptoms such as:

◆ Edema
◆ Anemia
◆ Dry scaly skin
◆ Brittle hair without pigment and nourishment
◆ Brittle nails
◆ Loss of appetite
◆ Weight loss

◆ Weakened muscles
◆ Pain in the joints
◆ Weakened immune system
◆ Chronic diarrhea
◆ Goiter
◆ Increased protein energy malnutrition
◆ Bad mood and constant irritability
◆ Exhaustion and fatigue

When an old person is malnourished or dehydrated, he/she is likely to experience the following symptoms:

◆ Confusion and disorientation
◆ Irritability and uncontrolled anger
◆ Tachycardia, a condition characterized by a rapid heartbeat
◆ Low output of urine
◆ Dry and scaly skin
◆ Constipation and bowel obstruction
◆ Dizziness

Poverty is one of the main reasons of malnutrition in a number of countries. The lack of healthy, nutritious food weakens the immune system, which in turn makes one susceptible to other fatal diseases. Almost 50% of the world's population is affected by protein energy malnutrition due to unhealthy eating habits.

Individuals affected by chronic diseases like AIDS and cancer can also be affected by this condition. Alcohol or drug consumption could also lead to malnourishment. Dieters could also get affected.

Though this condition can be easily diagnosed when the symptoms of malnutrition are quite prominent, certain diagnostic tests are also conducted. For instance, doctors might compare the weight of the patient with standardized charts and conduct an X-ray examination for checking the bones.

Physical examination, blood tests, and analysis of behavior of the affected individual can also help them determine if a person is affected by malnutrition or not. Following a healthy, balanced diet and staying physically active can help prevent this serious condition.

Drug therapy and other forms of treatment can be recommended in case malnourishment is attributed to disorders associated with malabsorption.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this story is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.