Malnutrition Symptoms and Treatment

Malnutrition occurs when a person's body is not receiving the amount of food and nutrients needed. The person may not have enough food intake, or might have an underlying medical condition. There are many symptoms to watch for with malnutrition, and many treatment options also.

Acute

• Acute cases of malnutrition can be caused by a surgery or infection. In acute cases, an individual might feel dizzy, fatigued and may have slow reaction times or find it hard to concentrate.

Chronic

• Chronic malnutrition may be caused by medical conditions such as anemia. When the body goes without nutrients for too long, a person begins having organ damage as well as signs of osteoporosis.

Children

• If a child is not developing in the healthy range for children of her age, is losing weight and has dental problems, these are symptoms. She may also show signs of osteoporosis if her bones break easily.

Elderly

• The elderly are at risk because of other chronic ailments and decreasing stomach acid. These people may have dry, scaly skin, brittle nails, diarrhea and some mental issues such as confusion.

Treatment

• If a person is mildly malnourished, the effects should be easily reversed. A doctor will perform a physical exam, ordering blood tests or X-rays for the bones, and will probably prescribe a diet rich in nutrients.