How to Gain Weight While Suffering from AIDS

Both HIV disease and the antiretroviral drugs used to manage HIV disease can lead to symptoms like nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, all of which make it difficult for people living with advanced HIV disease to fulfill their daily nutrition requirements and maintain their weight. People with AIDS may also be unable to shop for food and prepare meals for themselves, which creates another barrier to maintaining healthy body weight. It is nevertheless possible for people with AIDS to counteract the effects of weight loss linked to HIV disease.

Things You'll Need

• Diet plan and additional therapies as recommended by a doctor or dietitian

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Instructions

Managing Weight in AIDS

• 1

  Work to maintain a healthy diet when living with AIDS. According to a group of Tufts University clinicians who care for patients with HIV, the best way to gain weight in HIV disease is by eating healthy and nutrient-dense foods, including fruits, vegetables and legumes, whole grains, lean meats and dairy products. They also recommend limiting sweets to avoid transient increases in blood glucose. For some people, nutritional supplements may be required. A dietitian can help you design a diet plan to meet your specific dietary needs.

• 2

  Use exercise to manage weight. According to the Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), exercise for people living with HIV disease has a number of positive effects, including building muscle mass and increasing appetite and energy, along with boosting the immune system, regulating sleep, and reducing stress.

• 3

  Take medications as prescribed by a doctor to manage weight loss. According to Jean Kressy, MS, RN, and her colleagues at the Tufts University School of Medicine, these include appetite stimulants, hormone replacement therapy, growth hormone and anabolic steroids.

• 4

  Ask for help if you cannot meet your own dietary health needs. Friends, family members and volunteer service organizations and can help oversee your diet, making sure that you eat regularly and helping you with shopping and cooking if you cannot do this for yourself.