What happens to your body when your malnourished?

The Bottom Line Malnutrition refers to overnutrition and undernutrition. People who are undernourished may experience weight loss, fatigue and mood changes or develop vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Overnutrition can lead to overweight, obesity and inadequate micronutrient intakes and deficiencies.

What are the symptoms of refeeding syndrome?

Refeeding Syndrome Symptoms

• Fatigue.
• Weakness.
• Confusion.
• Difficulty breathing.
• High blood pressure.
• Seizures.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Edema.

What happens during refeeding syndrome?

In refeeding syndrome, chronic whole body depletion of phosphorus occurs. Also, the insulin surge causes a greatly increased uptake and use of phosphate in the cells. These changes lead to a deficit in intracellular as well as extracellular phosphorus.

What does malnutrition do to the brain?

BRAIN: Nutrient deficiencies may speed up the rate at which your brain loses neurons, which can impair your speech, coordination, and memory.

Can malnutrition cause death?

Malnutrition and mortality are usually closely linked. Acute protein-energy malnutrition mainly leads to death by increasing the susceptibility of malnourished individuals to infectious diseases and, once infected, increasing the severity and duration of these diseases.

How is starvation treated?

Patients that suffer from starvation can be treated, but this must be done cautiously to avoid refeeding syndrome. Rest and warmth must be provided and maintained. Food can be given gradually in small quantities. The quantity of food can be increased over time.

What is a refeed?

Simply put, a refeed day is a planned increase in calories for one day on a weekly or biweekly basis. It’s intended to give your body a temporary respite from calorie restriction.

Does malnutrition cause retardation?

Mental retardation is one of the most common disabilities of childhood. The research on childhood malnutrition and its relationship with cognitive functioning suggests that malnutrition alone does not cause mental retardation.