MALARIAL CACHEXIA Meaning and
Definition
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Malarial cachexia is a medical condition that occurs as a result of long-term, untreated, or poorly managed malaria infection. It is characterized by a severe and progressive deterioration of the body's physical and mental health, leading to a state of extreme weakness and emaciation.
The condition is primarily caused by the parasite Plasmodium, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Malarial cachexia typically develops in individuals who have recurrent or chronic malaria episodes, usually due to lack of access to proper medical care or inadequate treatment.
Symptoms of malarial cachexia often include persistent fever, severe anemia, weight loss, fatigue, muscle wasting, and organ dysfunction. The immune system becomes compromised, making the affected person more susceptible to other infections and illnesses. Without timely intervention, malarial cachexia can lead to multiple organ failure and even death.
Treatment for malarial cachexia focuses on addressing the underlying malaria infection and providing supportive care to improve the individual's nutritional status and overall health. Antimalarial medications are administered to eliminate the parasite, while nutritional supplements and intravenous fluids are given to combat malnutrition and dehydration. In severe cases, blood transfusions may be required to correct anemia.
Prevention of malarial cachexia largely relies on early diagnosis and prompt treatment of malaria infections. Utilizing insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, and antimalarial drugs also aid in preventing the transmission of the parasite and reducing the risk of developing severe complications like malarial cachexia.
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Chronic malaria, a condition developing after repeated attacks of intermittent or remittent fever or affecting residents in malarious regions who may have had no distinct paroxysms of chills and fever. The subjects are anemic, emaciated, and cachetic looking, with sallow complexion, edema of the ankles, feeble digestion, enlarged spleen, muscular weakness, and mental depression.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MALARIAL CACHEXIA
- malarial cachexie
- malarial cachexic
- m alarial cachexia
- ma larial cachexia
- mal arial cachexia
- mala rial cachexia
- malar ial cachexia
- malari al cachexia
- malaria l cachexia
- malarial c achexia
- malarial ca chexia
- malarial cac hexia
- malarial cach exia
- malarial cache xia
- malarial cachex ia
- malarial cachexi a
Etymology of MALARIAL CACHEXIA
The term "malarial cachexia" has its etymology derived from two main components:
1. Malarial: The word "malarial" refers to the adjective form of "malaria", which is a disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite transmitted through mosquito bites. The term "malaria" has a Latin origin, derived from the words "mal-" meaning "bad" or "evil", and "-aria" representing "air". This etymology originates from the older belief that the disease was caused by inhaling foul air in swampy regions.
2. Cachexia: The term "cachexia" is a medical term originating from the Greek word "kakhexis", which means "bad condition".
