How does bitter melon affect diabetes ???

How does it affect diabetes?

In addition to being a food ingredient, bitter melon has also long been used as a herbal remedy for a range of ailments, including type 2 diabetes.

The fruit contains at least three active substances with anti-diabetic properties, including charantin, which has been confirmed to have ablood glucose-lowering effect, vicine and an insulin-like compound known as polypeptide-p.

These substances either work individually or together to help reduce blood sugar levels.

It is also known that bitter melon contains a lectin that reduces blood glucose concentrations by acting on peripheral tissues and suppressing appetite – similar to the effects of insulin in the brain.

This lectin is thought to be a major factor behind the hypoglycemic effectthat develops after eating bitter melon.

Scientific evidence : 

A number of clinical studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of bitter melon in the treatment of diabetes.

In January 2011, the results of a four-week clinical trial were published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, which showed that a 2,000 mg daily dose of bitter melon significantly reduced  blood glucose levels among patients with type 2 diabetes, although the hypoglycemic effect was less than a 1,000 mg/day dose of metformin. ^[68]

Other older studies have also suggested an association between bitter melon intake and improved glycemic control, while a report published in the March 2008 issue of Chemistry and Biology found that bitter melon increased cellular uptake of glucose and improved glucose tolerance. ^[69]

However, research published in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology in 2007 failed to show any benefits of bitter melon for poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, while another clinical review published two years later in the British Journal of Nutrition stated that more, better-designed and clinical trials are required to confirm the fruit’s role in diabetes treatment. ^[70]

Caution of Excessive consumption of bitter melo ….

Do not consume more than two ounces of bitter melon, or more than two melons a day. Excessive consumption may cause mild abdominal pain or diarrhea. Diabetics taking hypoglycemic drugs will need to alter the dosage of their drugs if they consume bitter melon on a regular basis. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnant women should avoid taking too much bitter gourd or its juice as it may stimulate the uterus that may lead to preterm labor.

Health Benefits of Wood Apple …

Wood apple also called monkey fruit, curd fruit or elephant apple is a native fruit of India and Ceylon. The scientific name of the fruit is Feronia limonida and is round in shape and colorless. A wide range of

health benefits of wood apple :

• Aids Digestion –

  Wood apple helps in improving digestion. It fights against the germs present in intestine and is a good natural remedy for digestive tract problems. The trunk and branches secrete gum like substance which is very effective in curing dysentery and diarrhea conditions. It is also good for treating ulcers, piles and constipation conditions. Leaves of wood apple contain tannin that helps reduce inflammation.

• Prevents Scurvy –

  Scurvy is a deficiency condition characterized by bleeding of gums, skin which is due to vitamin C deficiency. Wood apple helps to prevent this condition as it is rich in vitamin C content.

• Cleanses Blood –

  Prepare about 50mg juice and mix in warm water. Add sugar if needed and consume it. It helps in purifying blood.

• Relief from Respiratory Problems –

  Leaves are effective in curing sore throats, colds and related respiratory problems. The fruit cures chronic cough condition.

• Good for Diabetic Patients –

  The gum extract of truck and branches is beneficial in reducing the serious complications of diabetes.

• Boosts Energy –

  100 grams of wood apple gives around 140 calories of energy to the body system.

• Cures Snakebites –

  All the wood apple plant parts are used in Ayurvedic treatments to heal snakebites.

• Treats Ear-aches –

  The root of wood apple plant is beneficial in treating ear related problems.

• Good for Kidney Health –

  Regular consumption of wood apple helps treat kidney related disorders and maintains health of the kidneys.

Wood apple fruits can be taken in raw form as well as in juice form. The ripened fruits are sweet and tasty. They can be consumed along with honey or sugar that tastes really good. Raw fruits cane be made into chutneys.

Note  :  Wood apples can cause flatulence when taken in excellence hence, people suffering from gastric problems should be very careful in consuming this fruit.

Benefits of Atemoya Fruit for Health

Atemoya is hybrid of cherimoya and sugar apple. It has better temperature and humidity tolerance suitable for cultivation in tropical climates.

This fruit is popular in Taiwan, where it is known as the “pineapple sugar apple”, so is sometimes wrongly believed to be a cross between the sugar-apple and the pineapple. It is very juicy and smooth, tasting slightly sweet and a little tart, reminiscent of a piña colada.

The taste also resembles vanilla from its sugar-apple parent. An atemoya is normally heart-shaped or rounded, with pale-green, easily bruised, bumpy skin.

The fruits must be clipped from the branch, taking care that the stalk left on the fruit does not protrude beyond the shoulders.

Frequent picking is necessary to harvest the fruit at the ideal stage, that is, when creamy lines appear around the areoles showing that the spaces between them are widening.

Atemoya has many health benefits; it is beneficial for weight loss, lowers blood pressure levels and increases the body’s energy levels. The fruit is generally eaten fresh. The flesh is sometimes added in ice creams and desserts.

The fruit slices are sometimes added in fruit cups and salads.This fruit reduces the risk of cancers and cardiovascular diseases.

The fragrant flesh is snowy-white, of fine texture, almost solid, not conspicuously divided into segments, with fewer seeds than the sugar apple; sweet and sub acid at the same time and resembling the cherimoya in flavour.

Fruits contain good amount of sugar that can provide the human body with energy, they are a very good source of several vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber which are necessary for human body.

They are also low in calories, making them a great choice for your waistline as mentioned before. Folate (folic acid) in fruits helps the body form red blood cells.

Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant should consume adequate folate from foods, and in addition 400 mcg of synthetic folic acid from fortified foods or supplements.

This reduces the risk of neural tube defects, spina bifida, and anencephaly during foetal development.

6 Cases of New Tick-Borne Heartland Virus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised healthcare providers to consider Heartland virus testing for patients who have otherwise unexplained fever, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia and who have tested negative for Ehrlichia and Anaplasma infection or have not responded to doxycycline therapy.

Heartland is a newly identified phlebovirus believed to be transmitted by the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum). The CDC defines Heartland virus infection as fever (≥100.4°F [≥38.0°C]), leukopenia (white blood cell count,

Daniel M. Pastula, MD, an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer with the CDC Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Fort Collins, Colorado, and colleagues describe the 6 new cases of Heartland virus disease in their article, published in the March 28 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. All of the patients either had viral RNA detected by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction on blood or tissue or a 4-fold or higher rise in virus-specific plaque reduction neutralization antibody titers between acute and convalescent serum specimens.

The cases occurred in 2012 and 2013 and bring the total number of known cases to 8. The new cases included 5 cases in Missouri and 1 in Tennessee, all in white men older than 50 years. The Tennessee patient is the first known case of Heartland virus disease outside of Missouri.

The patients presented with fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, nausea, and/or muscle pain. Four of the 6 new cases had symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization, and 1 (who had other comorbidities) died.

“All of the patients reported spending several hours per day outside (e.g., working, walking, doing yard work, hunting, or hiking), and five of the six patients reported tick bites in the 14 days preceding their illness onset,” the authors write.

Because there is currently no vaccine or treatment for Heartland virus disease, the CDC report emphasized “using insect repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants, avoiding bushy and wooded areas, and performing tick checks after spending time outdoors.” Supportive therapies such as intravenous fluids and fever reducers can relieve some Heartland disease symptoms.

Nearly all the newly reported cases were discovered through a study conducted by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the CDC, which are actively searching for human cases at 6 Missouri hospitals.

CDC studies to date have shown that Heartland virus is carried by Lone Star ticks, which are primarily found in the southeastern and eastern United States. Additional studies seek to confirm whether ticks can spread the virus to people and to learn what other insects or animals may be involved in the transmission cycle. CDC is also looking for Heartland virus in other parts of the country to understand how widely it may be distributed.

“During the past two years, CDC has worked closely with state health departments, hospitals, and many experts from universities and other federal agencies to learn more about Heartland virus,” Roger Nasci, PhD, chief of the CDC’s Arboviral Diseases Branch said in a CDC news release. “By gathering information about the disease Heartland virus causes, and about how it’s spread to people, we hope to better understand the potential impact on the public’s health and how we can help protect people from this virus.”

Gangrene is a serious diseases

Definition : Gangrene refers to the death of body tissue due to a lack of blood flow or a bacterial infection. Gangrene most commonly affects the extremities, including your toes, fingers and limbs, but it can also occur in your muscles and internal organs.

Your chances of developing gangrene are higher if you have an underlying condition that can damage your blood vessels and affect blood flow, such as diabetes or atherosclerosis.

Treatments for gangrene include surgery to remove dead tissue, antibiotics and other approaches. The prognosis for recovery is better if gangrene is identified early and treated quickly.
Symptoms :  When gangrene affects your skin, signs and symptoms may include:

Skin discoloration — ranging from pale to blue, purple, black, bronze or red, depending on the type of gangrene you have
A clear line between healthy and damaged skin
Severe pain followed by a feeling of numbness
A foul-smelling discharge leaking from a sore

If you have a type of gangrene that affects tissues beneath the surface of your skin, such as gas gangrene or internal gangrene, you may notice that:

The affected tissue is swollen and very painful
You’re running a fever and feel unwell

A condition called septic shock can occur if a bacterial infection that originated in the gangrenous tissue spreads throughout your body. Signs and symptoms of septic shock include:

Low blood pressure
Fever, possibly, though temperature may also run lower than the normal 96.8 F (36 C)
Rapid heart rate
Lightheadedness
Shortness of breath
Confusion
Causes : Gangrene may occur due to one or both of the following:

Lack of blood supply. Your blood provides oxygen, nutrients to feed your cells, and immune system components, such as antibodies, to ward off infections. Without a proper blood supply, cells can’t survive, and your tissue decays.
Infection. If bacteria thrive unchecked for long, infection can take over and cause your tissue to die, causing gangrene.

Tests and diagnosis : Tests used to help make a diagnosis of gangrene include:

Blood tests. An abnormally elevated white blood cell count often indicates the presence of an infection.

Imaging tests. An X-ray, a computerized tomography (CT) scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan can be used to view interior body structures and assess the extent to which gangrene has spread.

An arteriogram is an imaging test used to visualize your arteries. During this test, dye is injected into your bloodstream and X-ray pictures are taken to determine how well blood is flowing through your arteries. An arteriogram can help your doctor find out whether any of your arteries are blocked.
Surgery. Surgery may be performed to determine the extent to which gangrene has spread within your body.
Fluid or tissue culture. A culture of the fluid from a blister on your skin may be examined for the bacterium Clostridium perfringens, a common cause of gas gangrene, or your doctor may look at a tissue sample under a microscope for signs of cell death.

Treatments and drugs :  Tissue that has been damaged by gangrene can’t be saved, but steps can be taken to prevent gangrene from progressing. These treatments include:

Surgery. Your doctor removes the dead tissue, which helps stop gangrene from spreading and allows healthy tissue to heal. If possible, your doctor may repair damaged or diseased blood vessels in order to increase blood flow to the affected area.

A skin graft is a type of reconstructive surgery that may be used to repair damage to your skin caused by gangrene. During a skin graft, your doctor removes healthy skin from another part of your body — usually a place hidden by clothing — and carefully spreads it over an affected area.

The healthy skin may be held in place by a dressing or by a couple of small stitches. A skin graft can be done only if an adequate blood supply has been restored to the damaged skin.

In severe cases of gangrene, an affected body part, such as a toe, finger or limb, may need to be surgically removed (amputated). In some cases, you may later be fitted with an artificial limb (prosthesis).
Antibiotics. Antibiotics given through a vein (intravenous) may be used to treat gangrene that’s become infected.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. In addition to antibiotics and surgery, hyperbaric oxygen therapy also may be used to treat gangrene. Under increased pressure and increased oxygen content, your blood is able to carry greater amounts of oxygen. Blood rich in oxygen slows the growth of bacteria that thrive in the absence of oxygen and helps infected wounds heal more easily.

In this type of therapy, you’ll be situated in a special chamber, which usually consists of a padded table that slides into a clear plastic tube. The chamber is pressurized with pure oxygen, and the pressure inside the chamber will slowly rise to about two and a half times normal atmospheric pressure.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for gas gangrene generally lasts about 90 minutes. You may need two to three treatments daily.

Other treatments for gangrene may include supportive care, including fluids, nutrients and pain medication to relieve your discomfort.
Prevention :  Here are a few suggestions to help you reduce your risk of developing gangrene: Care for your diabetes. If you have diabetes, make sure you examine your hands and feet daily for cuts, sores and signs of infection, such as redness, swelling or drainage. Ask your doctor to examine your hands and feet at least once a year.
Lose weight. Excess pounds not only put you at risk of diabetes but also place pressure on your arteries, constricting blood flow and putting you at risk of infection and slow wound healing.
Don’t use tobacco. The chronic use of tobacco products can damage your blood vessels.
Help prevent infections. Wash any open wounds with a mild soap and water and try to keep them clean and dry until they heal.
Watch out when the temperature drops. Frostbitten skin can lead to gangrene because frostbite reduces blood circulation in an affected area. If you notice that any area of your skin has become pale, hard, cold and numb after prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, call your doctor.

There are many types of gangrene

Dry gangrene. Dry gangrene is characterized by dry and shriveled skin ranging in color from brown to purplish-blue to black. Dry gangrene may develop slowly. It occurs most commonly in people who have a blood vessel disease, such as atherosclerosis.

Wet gangrene. Gangrene is referred to as “wet” if there’s a bacterial infection in the affected tissue. Swelling, blistering and a wet appearance are common features of wet gangrene.

It may develop after a severe burn, frostbite or injury. It often occurs in people with diabetes who unknowingly injure a toe or foot. Wet gangrene needs to be treated immediately because it spreads quickly and can be fatal.

Gas gangrene. Gas gangrene typically affects deep muscle tissue. If you have gas gangrene, the surface of your skin may initially appear normal.

As the condition progresses, your skin may become pale and then evolve to a gray or purplish-red color. A bubbly appearance to your skin may become apparent, and the affected skin may make a crackling sound when you press on it because of the gas within the tissue.

Gas gangrene is commonly caused by infection with the bacterium Clostridium perfringens, which develops in an injury or surgical wound that’s depleted of blood supply. The bacterial infection produces toxins that release gas — hence the name “gas” gangrene — and cause tissue death. Like wet gangrene, gas gangrene can be life-threatening.

Internal gangrene. Gangrene affecting one or more of your organs, such as your intestines, gallbladder or appendix, is called internal gangrene. This type of gangrene occurs when blood flow to an internal organ is blocked — for example, when your intestines bulge through a weakened area of muscle in your abdomen (hernia) and become twisted.

Internal gangrene may cause fever and severe pain. Left untreated, internal gangrene can be fatal.
Fournier’s gangrene. Fournier’s gangrene involves the genital organs. Men are more often affected, but women can develop this type of gangrene as well. Fournier’s gangrene usually arises due to an infection in the genital area or urinary tract and causes genital pain, tenderness, redness and swelling.
Progressive bacterial synergistic gangrene (Meleney’s gangrene). This rare type of gangrene typically occurs after an operation, with painful skin lesions developing one to two weeks after surgery.

6 Strange Signs of Fibromyalgia …

If you have fibromyalgia, you’re undoubtedly familiar with the chronic pain and fatigue that often accompany this disorder — which affects about 5 million Americans, primarily women.

But feelings of pain and exhaustion aren’t the only symptoms of fibromyalgia. Other signs that aren’t necessarily visible to others can affect you and make the condition even harder for those around you to understand.

Here are some of the lesser-known signs of fibromyalgia that you may experience:

Allodynia :  You might not give a second thought to rubbing a loved one’s shoulders or patting a friend on the back. But for someone with allodynia, being the recipient of these simple gestures can result in excruciating pain. Allodynia is a heightened sensitivity to touch, which results in pain from things that normally would not cause discomfort.

“This increased skin sensitivity and pain from touch is hypothesized to occur for a number of reasons,” says Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, medical director of Fibromyalgia & Fatigue Centers. “Over one-third of people with fibromyalgia develop a small fiber neuropathy caused from the chronic pain. In addition, the chronic pain causes amplification of pain signals in the brain itself, as well as changes in three key neurotransmitters related to pain.” Dr. Teitelbaum says medications known as NMDA receptor antagonists — memantine (Namenda) is one — can help.

Allodynia is also related to a lack of restorative sleep, so standard treatments for fibromyalgia — such as physical therapy, exercise, stress relief techniques, and practicing good sleep hygiene — can also help ease allodynia.

Sensitivity to fragrance : This fibromyalgia symptom is almost directly tied to allodynia and occurs for many of the same reasons. “Increased light, sound, and smell sensitivity are all common,” says Teitelbaum. “We have an enormous amount of sensory input coming in, and it takes energy to sort through all of this to separate the noise from the static. Fibromyalgia predominantly represents an energy crisis, and as the body has trouble sorting through the signal from the noise, it reflects as increased sensitivities.” In addition to whole-body approaches to treating fibromyalgia, Teitelbaum says the anti-seizure medication gabapentin (Neurontin) can often help decrease these sensitivities.

“Fibro fog.” Also called “brain fog,” this is a very serious fibromyalgia symptom that leaves many people in distress. “Brain fog or fibro fog is a classic component of the energy crisis we call fibromyalgia,” says Teitelbaum. Some of the common signs of fibro fog include a difficulty with word finding or substitution, loss of short-term memory, and occasionally even episodic disorientation that lasts for about 30 to 60 seconds. “With this disease, calling one’s husband by another man’s name is not a Freudian slip,” Teitelbaum notes. He explains that there is no single cause for fibro fog; rather, it can be caused by a combination of many factors including low thyroid levels, poor sleep, hidden infections such as Candida, and alterations in blood flow to the temporal lobes of the brain, which regulate speech.

Stephen Soloway, MD, a rheumatologist in private practice in Vineland, N.J., attributes much of the difficulties with fibro fog to sleep issues affecting people with fibromyalgia. Practicing good sleep hygiene and getting help from a sleep specialist may be useful.

Paresthesia : Paresthesia is an unexplained feeling of tingling and numbness that people with fibromyalgia may experience. Often it’s related to anxiety or nervousness over the disorder and can be accompanied by rapid, deep breathing. This in turn can lead to acroparesthesia, a tingling in the hands and feet from lack of carbon dioxide. Considering that anxiety is a major player in parasthesia, the stress relief techniques recommended for fibromyalgia patients can help. Exercise can also play a role in treatment.

Lipomas :  These benign fatty tumors that can appear as lumps in various parts of the body are not directly related to fibromyalgia, but they may cause you to experience more discomfort than the average person does. This may be related to where the lipomas develop — parts of the body that are susceptible to the excessive or inappropriate pain that patients experience, explains Elliot Rosenstein, MD, director of the Institute for Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, N.J. “Alternatively, these may be fibro-fatty nodules or localized areas of muscle spasm.”

Excessive sweating :  Some people with fibromyalgia perspire heavily and may even believe they have a fever. This is due to what’s called an autonomic dysfunction within the hypothalamus, the almond-sized area in the brain that controls sleep and regulates sweating, bowel movements, and other automatic body functions. “The autonomic dysfunction causes the increase in sweating,” Teitelbaum says. Some medications and lifestyle changes that can keep you cool and dry may help with this fibromyalgia symptom.

Many of these unusual fibromyalgia symptoms respond to general treatment approaches. If not, talk with your doctor about targeted recommendations that may help.

Side Effects of Eating Too Many Carrots

It’s no coincidence that carrots have a permanent place in the produce aisle — the sweet root vegetable is a popular snack; a common ingredient in soups, stews, salads and slaws; and a staple of crudite platters. Besides being versatile and inexpensive, carrots are healthy — they’re a low-calorie source of beta carotene, dietary fiber, and several vitamins and minerals. Although a carrot-rich diet has its benefits, eating copious amounts of the bright orange vegetable can cause some unwelcome side effects.
Carotenemia : Carrots are the leading source of beta carotene in the American diet. Beta carotene is one of a few carotenoids that your body converts to vitamin A, a nutrient that protects good vision, eye health and immunity. One cup of chopped, raw carrots provides about 430 percent of the recommended daily value for vitamin A based on a 2,000-calorie diet, while an 8-ounce glass of carrot juice delivers more than twice that amount. Eating large quantities of carrots doesn’t put you at risk of vitamin A overload because your body only converts beta carotene as needed. However, having large amounts of carotene in your blood can cause carotenemia, or yellowish discoloration of the skin. The harmless condition is typically most apparent on palms, soles and ears and disappears gradually on a lower-carotene diet.
Bowel Changes : Carrots are a good source of dietary fiber — you’ll get about 4 grams from a cup of chopped, raw carrots and about 5 grams from a cup of sliced, cooked carrots. Insoluble fiber, the kind that binds to water and promotes efficient digestion and bowel regularity, accounts for more than 80 percent of the fiber in raw carrots, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Even a modest increase in dietary fiber could temporarily disrupt your bowels, and consuming large amounts of insoluble fiber can cause loose stools until your digestive system adjusts to the higher fiber intake. A high intake of insoluble fiber can also lead to constipation if you don’t drink enough fluids to help the fiber move through your intestinal tract.
Potential Effects : Eating too much of any one food often implies a limited diet, or one that excludes other healthy foods. Carrots may help you get plenty of vitamin A, dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins C, B-6 and K, but they aren’t a particularly good source of most other nutrients, including calcium and iron. They’re also low in fat, a nutrient that’s essential to your body’s ability to absorb and use beta carotene as well as vitamin A. Eating a varied diet — a one in which you eat a range of foods in moderation — is the best way to meet your body’s nutritional needs.
Considerations : Although you may be eating too many carrots if your skin has yellowed or you have loose stools, other foods can contribute to both of these problems. A diet rich in tomatoes, winter squash or sweet potatoes can cause carotenemia, just as eating more whole grains, dried beans and dried fruit can temporarily loosen stools. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises most women to consume 2.5 to 3 cups of vegetables a day, and most men to eat 3 to 4 cups a day. It takes just six baby carrots to make a 1/2-cup serving.

Lack of proper nutrition means Kwashiorkor ….

What is kwashiorkor?

Kwashiorkor is a type of malnutrition that is rare in the United States; it is most common in areas of drought and famine. Kwashiorkor is due to inadequate protein in the diet despite an adequate caloric intake. Symptoms may include irritability and fatigue followed by slowed growth, weight loss, muscle wasting, generalized swelling, skin changes, enlargement of the liver and abdomen, and weakening of the immune system, leading to frequent infections. Once kwashiorkor develops, some of the effects, such as short stature and intellectual disability, cannot be corrected.

Children are affected by kwashiorkor more frequently than adults. It typically starts after the child has been weaned and breast milk has been replaced with a diet low in protein, although it can occur in infants if the mother is protein-deprived. Kwashiorkor can also occur due to parasites and infections that can interfere with nutritional status. Low protein diets associated with dietary changes due to milk allergies in infants, fad diets, poor nutritional education, or a chaotic home life, are other causes of kwashiorkor.

Kwashiorkor can be prevented by including foods in your diet that are rich in proteins, such as meat, fish, dairy products, eggs, soy, and beans. Treatment involves slow increases in calories from carbohydrates, sugars, and fats, followed by protein. Vitamin and mineral supplements and enzymes to help digest dairy products are often needed. Treatment also involves correction of any fluid and electrolyte imbalances and treatment of any infections.

Although kwashiorkor is not common in the United States, protein deficiency can occur with prolonged hospitalization or in nursing home residents. It is estimated that up to half of the elderly living in nursing homes have diets low in protein (Source: PubMedHealth).

Left untreated, kwashiorkor can cause life-threatening shock and coma. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) for serious symptoms, such as profuse sweating, bluish coloration of the lips or fingernails, chest pain, cold and clammy skin, rapid or shallow breathing, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), weakness, decreased or absent urine output, fever, unusual anxiety, or confusion or loss of consciousness for even a brief moment. Seek prompt medical care if any symptoms of kwashiorkor occur.

What are the symptoms of kwashiorkor?

Early symptoms of kwashiorkor include irritability and fatigue. As the condition continues, additional symptoms include slowed growth, weight loss, muscle wasting, generalized swelling, skin changes, enlargement of the liver and abdomen, and weakening of the immune system, leading to frequent infections.
Common symptoms of kwashiorkor

Kwashiorkor symptoms may develop slowly over time. Common symptoms include:

Abdominal swelling, distension or bloating
Diarrhea
Enlarged liver
Fatigue
Frequent infections
Generalized swelling
Hair and nail changes, including brittle, reddish hair and ridged nails that are thin and soft
Irritability
Muscle wasting
Skin changes, including pigment loss, red or purple patches, peeling, cracking, skin sloughing, and the development of sores
Slowed growth leading to short stature
Weight loss

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

In some cases, kwashiorkor can be life threatening. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:

Bluish coloration of the lips or fingernails
Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness
Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure, palpitations
Cold and clammy skin
High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
Not producing any urine, or an infant who does not produce the usual amount of wet diapers
Profuse sweating
Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
Respiratory or breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, labored breathing, shallow breathing, or not breathing

What causes kwashiorkor?

Kwashiorkor is caused by a diet low in protein. It can also arise due to infections, parasites, or other conditions that interfere with protein absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. It is most common in children living in areas hit by drought and famine, but it can be related to dietary changes due to milk allergies in infants, fad diets, poor nutritional education, or a chaotic home life.
What are the risk factors for kwashiorkor?

A number of factors increase the risk of developing kwashiorkor. Not all people with risk factors will get kwashiorkor. Risk factors for kwashiorkor include:

Conditions that interfere with protein absorption such as cystic fibrosis
Dietary changes for management of milk allergies in infants and children
Diets that are low in protein such as a vegan diet
Drought or famine
Infections that interfere with protein absorption
Limited food supply, as may occur during political unrest
Parasites such as intestinal worms
Poor education about proper nutrition
Prolonged hospitalization or residence in a nursing home
How is kwashiorkor treated?

Treatment of kwashiorkor depends upon its severity. Fluid and electrolyte imbalances may need to be corrected with intravenous fluids, and infections may require treatment with antibiotics.

Although the goal is to increase protein in the diet, rapid increases in calories and protein can be dangerous. Often, the calories are slowly increased by adding carbohydrates, sugars, and fat to the diet. Next, protein is gradually added. People who have malnutrition may have difficulty digesting the lactose in dairy products, so the enzyme lactase may be added. Vitamin and mineral supplements may also be used.
Common treatments for kwashiorkor

Common treatments for kwashiorkor include:

Antibiotics to treat infections
Gradual increases in dietary calories from carbohydrates, sugars and fats
Gradual increases in dietary protein
Intravenous fluids to correct fluid and electrolyte imbalances
Lactase to assist in digestion of dairy products
Vitamin and mineral supplements to treat deficiencies

What are the potential complications of kwashiorkor?

In some people, especially infants and children, complications of untreated or poorly controlled kwashiorkor can be serious, even life threatening in some cases. You can help minimize your risk of serious complications by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you. Complications of kwashiorkor include:

Anemia (low red blood cell count)
Coma
Frequent infections
Intellectual disability
Physical disability
Poor wound healing
Shock
Short stature
Skin pigmentation changes
Steatohepatitis (fatty liver)