Malnutrition by kwashiorkor is an eating disorder that occurs most often in areas where people are hungry, such as sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central America, and occurs most often during floods, droughts, or political reasons, for example. .
This syndrome is due to poor nutrition caused by a lack of protein in the diet, which can cause symptoms such as weight loss, changes in skin and hair color, and swelling of the feet and stomach.
- Pure kwashiorkor is characterized by insufficient protein intake.
- In the presence of adequate caloric intake.
- Which can be confused with stagnation.
- Which consists of a disease caused by a diet low in carbohydrates and fats.
- However.
- There is also a gang type of malnutrition Kwashiorkor.
- In which there is a great nutritional poverty in proteins.
- Fats and carbohydrates.
- Find out what depression is.
- What the symptoms are.
- And how treatment is being performed.
This disease is caused by a deficiency of proteins in the diet, very important for the cells of the body, which contain proteins necessary to repair the cells, produce new cells and very useful in metabolic processes. In addition, proteins are also very important in childhood, during growth and during pregnancy, so in their absence growth and bodily functions are compromised. Here’s how to tell you if your child is underweight.
When Kwashiorkor is produced, for example, in the United States, it can be a sign of abuse, neglect or high-fat diets, thus being more observed in children and the elderly. However, this can also be a sign of another condition, such as HIV.
The most common signs and symptoms that may occur in people with this disease include:
In addition to these symptoms, people with this disease often have an enlarged liver, a condition also known as hepatomegaly. Learn more about liver enlargement.
In addition, these individuals tend to have specific micronutrient deficiency, such as vitamins A and D, folic acid and iron, and one or more essential nutrients for growth, such as proteins, electrolytes and zinc. Therefore, they can also suffer many associated complications, being more susceptible to infections, such as sepsis, pneumonia and gastroenteritis.
If Kwashiorkor’s disease is suspected, your doctor may examine the size of your liver and also look for swelling of your feet, ankles and stomach, which is very characteristic of this disease.
In addition, your doctor may also perform blood and urine tests to measure signs of malnutrition by evaluating protein and blood sugar levels.
This disease can be easily treated by ingesting more protein and more calories in a nutritionally balanced way, but treatment should begin as soon as possible.
First, foods with higher carbohydrate and fat content should be consumed, and after receiving sufficient energy from these foods, protein-rich foods should be introduced. Calories should be gradually increased so that the body can adapt to this nutritional increase. Your doctor may also recommend adding vitamin and mineral supplements to your diet.
Even with this treatment, children who have had Kwashiorkor disease may never again reach their potential for growth and weight gain. This occurs very often when treatment is done too late and can lead to permanent physical and mental disabilities in the child.
If left untreated in a timely manner, the disease can lead to coma, shock and death.
After a gradual adaptation, foods containing adequate amounts of protein, fat and carbohydrates should be consumed.
Proteins can be found in foods such as seafood, eggs, meat, beans, nuts and seeds, for example. Discover more protein-rich foods.