Malnutrition:

A person who is Malnourished receives either too little or too much of a particular nutrient. Serious health problems like Diabetes, Heart disease, Vision problems, and development retardation can result from it. Worldwide, billions of people suffer from Malnutrition.

The number of stunted (too short for age) and wasted (too thin for height) children under five worldwide in 2020 was expected to be 149 million, and the number of overweight or obese children to be 38.9 million.

Malnutrition can take several forms, such as:

Undernutrition: Inadequate consumption of calories, protein, or micronutrients causes this kind of Malnutrition. It causes underweight, stunting of height for age, and low weight for height (wasting). A lack of vitamins and minerals, particularly iron, zinc, vitamin A, and iodine, is common among undernourished individuals.

Malnutrition can also result from overconsumption of specific nutrients, such as fat, protein, or calories. Being overweight or obese is the common outcome of this. Overnutrition can also result in shortages of some micronutrients.

Inadvertent weight loss It results from a deficiency of essential nutrients, which reduces muscular mass and body weight.

Weariness and Weakness: Due to low energy intake, malnourished people frequently experience weariness and weakness. This may affect day-to-day activities and result in a lower standard of living.

Children's decreased growth and developmental disabilities might result from Malnutrition. Permanent physical and cognitive deficits might occur from the deprivation of vital nutrients throughout critical growth phases.

Edema: Excessive hunger can cause fluid to build up in bodily tissues, which results in edema, or swelling. The extremities frequently exhibit this.

Immune System Weakness: People with little nourishment have weakened immune systems, which leaves them more vulnerable to infections and illnesses. Recurrent diseases have the potential to exacerbate the cycle of famine.

Skin and Hair Issues: Malnourished individuals may exhibit dry and flaky skin, as well as hair loss. These external signs reflect the body's struggle to maintain essential functions with limited nutritional resources.

Why People Get Malnourished:

Numerous factors contribute to malnutrition, many of which interact in complex ways. It is necessary to comprehend these reasons in order to create successful preventive measures. Typical reasons include:

Poor Dietary Intake: One of the main causes of malnutrition is insufficient intake of vital nutrients, such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Poverty, food insecurity, and a lack of knowledge about balanced nutrition can all contribute to this.

Digestive Disorders: A number of illnesses that impact the digestive tract, including inflammatory bowel disorders, celiac disease, and chronic diarrhea, can make it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients, which can result in Malnutrition.

Food Insecurity and Poverty: A major cause of Malnutrition, particularly among low-income groups, is restricted access to wholesome food as a result of financial hardships and shortages.

Absence of Nursing: Infant Malnutrition can result from inadequate nursing practices, such as early breastfeeding cessation and a lack of exclusive breastfeeding.

Natural catastrophes like floods and droughts can cause disruptions in the production and delivery of food, which in turn can exacerbate hunger among impacted communities.

Malnutrition Prevention: 

Targeting the root causes of Malnutrition necessitates a multifaceted strategy. Crucial safeguards consist of the following, as mentioned below:

Enhancing Access to Nutritious Food: Preventing Malnutrition requires addressing poverty and advancing food security. This entails making certain that people and communities consistently have access to a wide range of wholesome foods.

Dengue: Symptoms, Causes, and Medication

Millions of people throughout the world suffer from the viral virus Dengue fever, which is spread by mosquitoes. The Aedes mosquito is the main vector for the Dengue virus, which is responsible for its cause. We shall look at the signs, causes, and treatment options for dengue here.

Symptoms:

Thrombocytopenia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Thrombocytopenia: A Low Platelet Count

Low levels of platelets in the body are known as Thrombocytopenia. Platelets is a type of blood cell, helps in blood clot and stop bleeding. People tend to bleed more readily when their platelet count is low.

Adults typically have between 1,50,000 and 4,50,000 platelets per microliter of blood. A platelet counts below 1,50,000 indicates Thrombocytopenia.

• The reasons of Thrombocytopenia are numerous. The most typical causes include the following. Medicines like anti-seizure medicines and chemotherapy drugs.
• Autoimmune diseases, such as Lupus and Rheumatoid arthritis
• Infections, such as HIV and Hepatitis C
• Diseases of the bone marrow, like Leukemia and Aplastic anemia.
• Spleen disorders, such as Hypersplenism
• Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a condition in which the body's immune system attacks the platelets.

The symptoms of Thrombocytopenia vary depending on the severity of the condition. Some people with mild Thrombocytopenia may not have any symptoms. Others may experience:

Easy Bruising: With a reduced number of platelets, even minor injuries can result in excessive bruising.

Nose and Gum Bleeding: Spontaneous nosebleeds and bleeding gums may occur.

Petechiae: These are tiny red or purple spots on the skin, often seen in clusters.

Prolonged Bleeding: Even minor cuts or injuries may lead to prolonged bleeding.

Heavy Menstrual Periods: Women with Thrombocytopenia may experience heavier-than-normal menstrual bleeding.

Blood in Urine or Stool: Gastrointestinal or urinary bleeding can occur.

Fatigue: Anemia can accompany Thrombocytopenia, leading to fatigue and weakness.

It's critical to schedule an immediate appointment with a doctor if you encounter any of these symptoms. Thrombocytopenia can be a serious condition, but it is usually treatable.

The underlying reason will determine the course of treatment for Thrombocytopenia. In some cases, the platelet count will return to normal on its own. In other cases, medications and surgery may be necessary.

LAB TEST

Dava Bharti is a leading healthcare provider in India that offers a wide range of diagnostic services to its patients across India which has collaborated with Dr. Lal Path Labs for the diagnostics needs. Dava Bharti offers diagnostics tests from Dr. Lal Path Labs that provides a comprehensive range of all the tests, including imaging tests as well. You can avail handsome discounts in diagnostics test from Dr Lal Path Labs by utilizing your earned wallet points from our other services vertical like Medicine & eConsultation.

Dr. Lal Path Labs is staffed by experienced and qualified technicians who are committed to providing accurate and reliable results. The lab also uses the latest equipment and technology to ensure that its tests are of the highest quality.

What is Anemia? Symptoms, treatment and prevention

Today we will discuss about Anemia. A condition known as anemia occurs when there are not enough healthy red blood cells in the body. When there aren't enough red blood cells to deliver oxygen to the body's tissues, the tissues don't obtain adequate oxygen. This might cause weariness, shortness of breath, pale complexion and a faint headache like symptoms. There are different types of anemia, each with its own unique reason.

Some of the most common types include:

• Iron Deficiency Anemia: This is the most common type of Anemia, and it's caused by a lack of iron in the body. Iron is needed to make hemoglobin, the protein that gives red blood cells their oxygen-carrying ability.

• Folate Deficiency Anemia: This type of anemia is caused by a lack of folate, B vitamin that's also important for making red blood cells.

• Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia: This type of anemia is caused by a lack of vitamin B12, another B vitamin that's essential for red blood cell production.

• Aplastic Anemia: This is a rare type of anemia that's caused by the body's inability to produce enough red blood cells.

• Sickle Cell Anemia: This hereditary condition results in abnormally shaped red blood cells.  These misshapen cells can't carry oxygen as efficiently as healthy red blood cells, which can lead to Anemia.

Symptoms of Anemia 

There are some of symptoms Anemia, including:

Fatigue: The most common sign of anemia is fatigue. It is caused by a lack of oxygen in the body's tissues.

Shortness of breath: Another typical sign of anemia is shortness of breath. The heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout the body, which causes it.

Pale skin: Pale skin indicates that the body is not receiving enough oxygen. The skin on the cheeks, lips, and inside of the eyelids may appear paler than usual.

Light headedness: Lack of oxygen to the brain is the cause of dizziness. It may occur when you stand up quickly or when you are exercising.

Chest pain: This is a less common symptom of Anemia. The heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout the body, which is the cause of it.

Headache: This is another less common symptom of Anemia. The heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout the body, which is the cause of it.

Brittle nails: This is a sign that the body is not getting enough iron.

Tongue pain: This is a sign that the body is not getting enough vitamin B12.

It's crucial to see a doctor for a diagnosis if you have any of these symptoms. Your hemoglobin levels will likely be assessed by the doctor ordering a blood test. Once the doctor has diagnosed your anemia, they will be able to recommend the best treatment.

The treatment of Anemia:

The treatment for anemia will vary depending on the type of anemia and how severe it is. The following are some of the most typical anemia treatments:

Iron supplements: If you have iron deficiency Anemia, you will likely need to take iron supplements. Your iron levels can be raised and your symptoms can be alleviated with the aid of iron supplements.

Folate supplements: If you have folate deficiency Anemia, you will likely need to take folate supplements. Folate supplements can help to increase your folate levels and improve your symptoms.

Vitamin B12 supplements: If you have vitamin B12 deficiency Anemia, you will likely need to take vitamin B12 supplements. Vitamin B12 supplements can help to increase your vitamin B12 levels and improve your symptoms.

Blood transfusions: In some cases, you may need to have blood transfusions. Blood transfusions can help to increase your red blood cell count and improve your symptoms.

Here are some tips to help prevent anemia:

Consume a nutritious diet high in iron-rich foods such as leafy green vegetables, legumes and whole grains.

Take a multivitamin with iron, other necessary vitamins and minerals on a daily basis.