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Marasmus definition, causes, symptoms, prevention, recovery/cure, treatment

 

Definition

Marasmus is a form of malnutrition. It occurs when a person doesn’t consume or take sufficient protein or calories. Not consuming this nutrients causes energy level decrement. And the main functions of body stops to work. This disease usually occurs in children. But adults can also be affected by it. Marasmus usually attacks in developing countries. Marasmus can also defined as deficiency of some micronutrients. They include carbohydrates, fats.

Causes

The main cause of marasmus is nutrient deficiency. But some other reasons are also responsible for this disease. Some of them are:

  • Malnutrition due to poverty and lack of food
  • Having a very little food
  • Poor diet
  • Chronic diarrhea causing infections
  • Anorexia
  • Inadequate breastfeeding
  • Having lack of knowledge about marasmus
  • Starvation
  • Child abuse or elder abuse
  • Consuming one nutrient and not getting others

Symptoms

Marasmus has a few symptoms which can be noticed from outside. They include:

  • Respiratory infection
  • Weight loss
  • Diarrhea
  • Low immunity
  • Old and parched face
  • BMI decreases to below 16
  • Lack of energy
  • Stomach infection
  • Weak hair
  • Skin dryness
  • Visible bones

In children, some other symptoms are also noticed:

  • Stunted growth
  • Becoming hungry
  • Sucking on their cloths or hands as eating something

Prevention 

Marasmus is a very dangerous deficiency. This disease can lead to death if anyone ignores its symptoms. The best way to prevent marasmus it to eat protein and calorie rich foods. But some steps can be taken to prevent this life-threatening disease. Those are:

  • Consuming washed and properly cooked food
  • Maintaining  hygiene and proper sanitation
  • Drinking boiled water
  • Having a proper and healthy balanced diet
  • Gaining proper knowledge about marasmus
  • Eating vegetables and fruits

Recovery/ cure

42 days is the average recovery time for this disease. The majority of patients may anticipate making a full recovery when they leave treatment and return to a supportive environment with the tools they need to sustain good health. For recovery, continuous vitamin and other mineral supplementary may be helpful in this case. When marasmus occurs, it causes lack of calories. Marasmus is not an easy hunger. The body undergoes a series of incremental changes in an effort to fend off hunger. But cure may take more time. A person may recover properly.

Treatment

As it has been mentioned before, marasmus is a life-threatening deficiency. So, if symptoms appear, the affected person requires treatments immediately. A professional medical person or consulted doctor needs to prepare particular plans of eating for the person who has marasmus. When a person is affected by marasmus, it becomes hard or difficult to consume the foods rich in protein, calories. He losses so much of body fat and tissues. He needs more calories than the need for his respective age. Dehydration is another problem in marasmus. But if a person intakes sufficient water or other fluids that contain electrolytes, the problem may be solved. Some antibiotics are prescribed to treat children.

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