Cachexia

Description

A general state of ill health involving great weight loss and muscle loss.

Overview

Cachexia is often due to a disease, such as cancer, AIDS, heart failure or advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Symptoms

Other than weight loss, symptoms include a lack of appetite, tiredness and loss of strength.

Treatments

Treatment includes nutritional counseling, being more active, medicines to increase appetite and treating underlying disease.