Kwashiorkor also known as malignant malnutrition/protein-calorie malnutrition/edematus malnutrition is a disease that results due to deficiency of protein in the human body. It is an already established fact that the basic unit of life, the cell , is made up of protein, and this protein is needed for the repair of damaged cells and also to make new ones, now you see the importance of protein, now imagine the disaster that would go wrong when there is not enough protein as the body actually demands, lots of mechanism might actually fail due to this. It would be our pleasure at Healthvim to enlighten you on the mechanism of kwashiorkor. Sit back and enjoy!!.
As earlier said, kwashiorkor is simply a disease that would result when there is not enough protein as the body needs. It is actually common in areas where there is famine, as people there do not have constant access to food to meet their body's nutritional requirement, more cases of kwashiorkor has been reported in sub-saharan African countries and southeast Asia as well. One very vital function of protein in the human system is that it helps to maintain the balance of fluid in the body, so when there is not enough protein as the body needs, the fluids would not be balanced and so would move to areas and cause swellings there, such areas includes the ankles, belly and feet, this is why people who suffer from kwashiorkor tend to have their stomach and other areas swollen, this is known as edema.
CAUSES
Statistics have shown that children who are below the age of 4 are more likely to suffer from it if not given the adequate supply of protein, the basic cause of kwashiorkor is simply low intake of protein as well as calories, that is why it is also known as protein-calorie malnutrition.
SYMPTOMS
Kwashiorkor is quite deadly as it comes with some very severe symptoms which are quite deadly, that is why prompt treatment is given to those who suffer from it, you might think it is just a food-deficiency illness, and so should not be deadly not as though it is caused by a virus or something else, but I would gladly surprise you by letting you know that protein is a basic building factor in the human system, so deficiency of it could lead to the whole human system crumbling, below are symptoms that are associated with kwashiorkor;
-lack of appetite
-lethargy
-shock
-not able to gain weight
-fatigue
-changes in skin colour and that of the hair to yellow or orange.
-diarrhea
-dehydration
-cracked nails and dermatosis
-edema
-irritability
-damaged immune system
-enlarged liver (hepatomegaly)
-intolerance to lactose(milk)
-flaky rash
-reduction in muscle mass
-coma
-organ failure
-physical and mental disabilities
TREATMENT
The treatment for kwashiorkor is easy but should be done with great care, since it is caused by deficiency of protein one would easily conclude that the patient should be given much protein-rich diet to eat, though true but should be done with great care, as the body system has experienced certain changes and so would need to adjust to the new diet, so what is right is that the patient is first given calorie-rich food with not too much protein at first after which the volume of protein could then be increased, one thing one should take note of is that most people suffering from from kwashiorkor might develop intolerance to lactose and so their body would not go well with milk which is actually proteinous, for such people, it is advised they are not given milk or they should take in enzymes that would ensure the compatibility of their body and milk.
One thing common with kwashiorkor patients is the it is very difficult for their body to generate heat, so it is advised that in the course of treatment they are kept warm so as to cover up for the failure of their body system to generate heat.
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