Cachexia, or wasting syndrome, is defined as the loss of weight, muscle atrophy, fatigue, weakness and significant loss of appetite in someone due to severe chronic illness. This loss of weight and body mass cannot be reversed nutritionally. Even if the affected patient eats more calories, lean body mass will be lost, indicating a primary pathology is in place. Cachexia is seen in patients with Cancer, AIDS,[1] Coeliac Disease,[2] Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Congestive Heart Failure, Tuberculosis, Polyneuropathy, Mercury (acrodynia) and Hormonal Deficiency.
For many years it was overlooked, as physicians and researchers focused their attention on the primary illness instead. Now, scientists are increasingly viewing cachexia as a distinct, treatable condition.