Malnutrition is the state of a body that has received insufficient calories or nutrients to keep it functioning properly. Symptoms of malnutrition can vary widely. Weakness, poor immune system functionality, and the inability to heal are some of these symptoms.
Signs and symptoms of malnutrition may take a long period of time to become visible. This is because malnutrition is a slow growing illness that develops over a lengthy time period. In the early stages of the disease, malnutrition symptoms can include irritability, fatigue, slow or poor growth, and weight loss.
Some symptoms of malnutrition occur less often than others. Rarer conditions that people who suffer from malnutrition may experience include bone pain, muscle weakness, joint pain, nail breakage, body swelling, hair loss, abdominal bloating, hair or skin color changes, dry or scaly skin, and loss of appetite in general.
Severe malnutrition can also result in a sunken appearance around the temple area of the head. Symptoms of malnutrition in adults can also include a propensity to become infected with diseases, or to heal very slowly from infections. Breathing problems, anemia, decreased muscle mass, confusion, and chronic diarrhea may also occur.
Symptoms of malnutrition in children can vary from the experiences that adults may face. Malnourished children may cease to grow. They also may experience temporary or permanent developmental delays due to lack of essential nutrients and fats for brain growth. If left untreated, malnutrition can lead to death.
Infants, children, and older adults are generally most at-risk for becoming malnourished. Other people considered in danger of developing malnutrition may include people on medication with suppressed appetites, victims of eating disorders, drug and alcohol abusers, pregnant women, and low income families.
The causes of malnutrition itself can vary. People can become malnourished by not eating the proper amounts or kinds of foods, and thereby not receiving enough vitamins and minerals. Certain health conditions, such as cystic fibrosis and cancer, can also cause malnutrition to develop. These could include digestive disorders, or diseases that prevent the body from being able to absorb nutrients. Poor health conditions, bleeding, diarrhea, and other factors may also contribute to malnutrition.
Diagnosis of malnutrition is usually completed with a blood test. A patient's weight and height will be analyzed by a physician, as well as any medications being taken. Questions the patient may be expected to answer typically revolve around his or her eating habits and diet. Treatment for malnutrition depends on the patient's individual case. An increase of calories, an increase in the number of meals per day, or a nutritional supplement may be prescribed.
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angelBraids
Post 4 |
@Bakersdozen - I fully understand your feelings, though it's likely the parents involved just don't know enough about nutrition to make good choices.
That's not something which is unique to vegans of course. Unless you have read about it I expect a lot of people don't really understand what the human body needs to stay healthy.
I notice many supermarkets are now clearly marking food as being good for you or having certain vitamins in it. I'm sure that will help a lot of people who are not sure what to buy for their family. |
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Penzance356
Post 3 |
@Acracadabra - I would say that any eating problem makes you more likely to suffer from malnutrition. It's easier to imagine when someone doesn't eat very much, but people who eat and throw up, or eat too much of one type of food are not going to be getting the vitamins and minerals they need to be healthy, right?
I had a friend in high school who spent six months controlling the food she ate. She had it organised by color, which really cut down on food choices. Eventually the school nurse gave her a leaflet with malnutrition information in it. Luckily she was in the early stages and she did recover. |
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Bakersdozen
Post 2 |
What upsets me is reading about babies who have died from acute malnutrition as a result of a vegan diet! People need to know that infants can't thrive without the proper nutrition, and how to make sure that their baby is getting the nutrition it needs. |
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Acracadabra
Post 1 |
I agree that the signs of malnutrition can creep up on someone slowly, especially if you are sick. I'm sure many adults have at least some of these symptoms at various times in their life, so it would be easy to not figure out what was wrong.
It makes sense that people with anorexia could develop malnutition. What about those with other eating disorders, like bulimia. Could that put you at risk too? |
