|  | Conditions Treatments | HIV AIDS

How to Identify HIV-Related Wasting

HIV-related wasting occurs when a person infected with the AIDS virus experiences weight loss of 10% or more of their total body weight when they are not battling an infection and have not adjusted their eating and exercise habits. HIV-related wasting differs from starvation. When the body is starving, it uses fat reserves first. HIV-related wasting, however, attacks protein stores and muscles. In this article, we will discuss how to identify HIV-related wasting.

Things You'll Need

  • Notebook
  • Something to write with
Show More

Instructions

  1. How To Identify HIV-Related Wasting

    • 1

      Flex all your joints and write down every joint that hurts.HIV-related wasting can cause pain and tenderness in joints and muscles.

    • 2

      Walk at an even pace from one end of the house to the other. If this short walk makes you tired, or if your arms and legs feel heavy when you move, this may be a sign that your body is using your muscles and protein stores for energy instead of burning calories and fat stores. Limb heaviness is common among people suffering from HIV-related wasting.

    • 3

      Remember your last conversation.Was it difficult to keep up your end? Joint pain and fatigue can affect your mental state as well, making it hard to remember things and inhibiting casual conversation.

    • 4

      Start a sleep log. For a week, keep track of how many hours you are sleeping and how you feel during the day. If you are sleeping excessively but still feel tired, this fatigue may be due to HIV-related wasting.

    • 5

      Keep track of your weight.Weigh yourself at least twice a week. Write down your weight and the date each time. If you do not increase your standard amount of exercise or start a new diet, but continue to lose weight, this can be a good indicator of HIV-related wasting.

    • 6

      Call your doctor. Because HIV and AIDS treatments are still highly experimental, you need to keep your doctor informed of your condition at all times. He or she may know of a new treatment for HIV-related wasting or have another idea about what is causing your weight loss. Swift action can save your life.

HIV AIDS - Related Articles