The nutritional diseases represent a large part of the causes of mortality in the world. the kwashiorkor is one of the most severe forms of these maladies who today continue to make ravages. The bad feed, insufficiency of the substances necessary for the operation of the organism, are, among other things, the factors that can explain the onset of this nutritional disease. However, many people continue to suffer. There is then a problem of information on the subject. How to set the kwashiorkor ? What are the causes and main symptoms?
What is kwashiorkor?
Le kwashiorkorlike the slump and most nutritional diseases, most often affects the children. These children dont food is not balanced and does not contain all nutrients necessary for functioning of the organism. The proteins are the main substances whose absence in food can drive au kwashiorkor. Indeed, they are essential for growth and development from corps.
The growth stage is the one during which children are most exposed to this sickness. In this respect, the importance of the breastmilk in the growth of children. So cutting breast milk too early for the infant can be a source of triggering kwashiorkor. Ceci, because only this milk gives the body infant them trace elements what he needs for his development.
In terms of geographical distributionkwashiorkor is a disease that is almost always encountered in countries poor or in the process of development. These are countries with living environments precarious and a standard of living below the mean. Populations are undernourished and therefore do not have the elements undeniable to a full growth.
What are the symptoms of kwashiorkor?
As a nutritional disease, kwashiorkor remains difficult to identify before occurrence of the premiers symptoms. It is therefore important to to master the main manifestations of this disease in order to detect it as early as possible and to take the dispositions which are required.
The first apparent symptom of kwashiorkor is of course a deficit of growth. A child with this disease does not grow normally. We generally notice that it is too petit for his age. This is due to the absence of nutrients essential in its feed. Le deficit of growth is also manifested by a weight and an cut much lower than the normal, for the age and sex of the patient.
Concerning the weight of the child in particular, we can mention wasting who is also a manifestation frequent kwashiorkor. In effect, wasting causes the child to lose at least 10% of sound weight corporeal. We really realize this when the bras and the legs of the child begin to slim down, to such an extent that the os become visible. This situation is caused by loss of muscle mass induced by imbalance eating.
Outside of manifestations physiques, kwashiorkor can also affect morales on the patient. A child with kwashiorkor is prone to changes moral persistent. Unlike healthy children who are happy and run in all directions, the latter prefers to stay immobile and not smiles almost never. The sadness et nervousness can also be read on his face constantly.
It is also important to mention the hair changes which are an integral part of the manifestation of kwashiorkor. The hair are undergoing significant changes. They are becoming dull and their color becomes reddish. Moreover they are roux, fins et brittle. It is so much so that when you pull on a hair, you can pull it out easily without the child feel none pain.
Kwashiorkor can also manifest as changes importants from skin. Indeed, we find in the skin people with this disease dermatoses. However, it is important to specify that dermatoses do not always appear within the framework of kwashiorkor. The dermatoses are kinds of plaques pigmented dark. Oldest boyle knee and the elbows are the first places where they appear.
The causes of kwashiorkor
Kwashiorkor is a very serious disease which, if left untreated, can lead to serious complications. To avoid it, it is not only important to know the symptoms, but also and above all the causes so as not to be exposed to it. A feed unbalanced is the main cause of kwashiorkor : this is why this disease is classified in the category of nutritional diseases.
Studies conducted on the disease have concluded that, l’absence of proteins during the phase of growth of the child, is mainly responsible for triggering the disease. Indeed, when the child is weanedthe nutrients necessary for its growth have to be compensated par food.
If the food that the child consumes do not contain these nutrients that provided him breastfeeding maternalsa growth is slowed down. This slowing down leads in most cases to the appearance of symptoms from kwashiorkor. We then understand that stopping breastfeeding much too early is a cause majeure from sickness.
As a cause of kwashiorkor, one can also evoke the weak bring of calories compared to the request. When the organism does not have enough calories for its functioning, it draws some from the fats from corps and muscles. This results in a period of time loss of weight significant in children.
Furthermore, the inappropriate feeding times may also have a role to play in setting up the kwashiorkor. In fact, when you eat at times when you shouldn’t, the body continues to work by drawing its resources in the fats body and muscles.
Some complications of kwashiorkor
Like all nutritional diseases, kwashiorkor can lead to serious complications, even death, when not treated quickly. The most frequent are:
- The intellectual disability ;
- The changes of pigmentation skin ;
- The steatohepaty (where the syndrome from foie gras) ;
- Anemia (due to a weak numeration of globules red).
To avoid these complications, it is therefore important to consult a doctor when you notice the first symptoms of the disease.
What treatment to overcome kwashiorkor?
Kwashiorkor can be a very difficult condition to treat, especially if the patient is at an advanced stage. But when it is detected very early, many methods can be used for treatment.
Hospitalization is the first reflex to have in view of treating kwashiorkor. If possible, the patient should be taken to a hospital, preferably in the company of his or her mother. Analyzes will thus be carried out to rule out the possibility of any infection. The pneumonia and the tuberculosis are the first diseases that doctors will seek to ward off, by means of d’analyses of sang, d’urine and of in it. Then the child is weighed et measure.
Beyond a hospitalisationle recovery of one feed healthy et balanced is the best way to fight kwashiorkor. For this, there are specific diets and foods to consume, to restore to the body the whole of the nutrients what he needs for his full growth.
Treat and prevent hypoglycemia can also be a very good way to fight once morest kwashiorkor. Indeed, when glycerin is below 54 mg/dlit must be raised until it reaches the 70 mg/dl.
Treatment for kwashiorkor may also include treating any infections the child has.
It is also important to correct deficiencies in micronutrients food. Specialists recommend the use of supplements of vitamins and of minerals in the his diet. As for iron, it should only be used when the patient has regained a good appétit and a good feed.
Still in the treatment of kwashiorkor, the manner of feeding the patient should be given special attention. The diet must be followed to the letter, and the proportions of nutrients carefully observed.
You can also use the stimulation sensory et emotional, to relieve the symptoms of kwashiorkor. It is advisable for this purpose, to place the children in a environment warm which can bring them joy and happiness.
Le mortality rate of the children affected by kwashiorkor being very high, it is essential to work on the reintroduction of proteins essential in the patient’s diet. The latter must also be closely monitored, so that we can follow evolution of the treatment. The richness and variety of the diet will gradually increase as the patient’s body recovers the normal functions of the digestive system.
At the start of the treatment kwashiorkorthe patient should not consume large amounts food exceeding 100 ml per day. Otherwise, it may lead to diarrhea or other disturbances of the digestive system. Indeed, when the patient eats more than necessary, the mucous membrane of the digestive tract gradually atrophies. Which leads to a hypofunction (fall in the functioning of the digestive tract).
Apart from the previous methods, there are also other common treatments that can limit the development of the disease. Some of these treatments include:
- The use of antibiotics to treat the infections ;
- The use of lactase to improve the digestion of products dairy ;
- The use of liquids intravenous for a correction of imbalances hydro–electrolytic.
The use of one or other of these treatments obviously depends on the patient’s state of health.
