
A nutritionist is a person who advises people on matters of food and nutrition. They also help dealing with health issues. Symptoms and issues that may be treated by nutritionists Abu Dhabi include anorexia, cachexia, and malnutrition. People can develop malnutrition due to several reasons, including an increased need for calories or the spread of cancer.
Anorexia
Anorexia is a condition that can result in an extreme loss of appetite and weight. It can be diagnosed by a blood test that checks for the albumin level. The level of albumin decreases as a person doesn’t eat enough protein. In addition, anorexia can affect bone density, the menstrual cycle, and thyroid hormone production. The disorder is common among women but can also occur in men.
Undernourished
People who are severely undernourished can have their immune systems weaken. This can lead to infections. They can also have problems with their heart, lung, liver, and digestive system. They may not recover properly from surgery, and their quality of life may be reduced. Depending on the level of the disorder, patients may be referred to a clinical dietitian for more detailed care.
Cachexia
Cachexia is a form of malnutrition that causes a patient to become unresponsive and lose their appetite. Symptoms can include diarrhea, inability to stay warm, and fatigue. Some symptoms of severe cachexia include irritability, apathy, and fluid accumulation in the body. This disorder is thought to be caused by the excessive production of cytokines in the body.
Surgery to the esophagus
Other conditions that can cause nutrition problems are surgery to the esophagus, liver, or stomach. People who have these surgeries can be given nutritional supplements, which provide vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. They can also receive tube feeding to help them eat.
Some medicines can cause a person to lose their appetite during cancer treatment. Some drugs for AIDS, heart failure, and high blood pressure can also cause a person to lose their appetite. If the person does not improve, the treatment may be stopped.
Changing how a person eats can also help them get the nutrition they need. A Registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) works with patients to determine what nutrients they need and what foods they should eat. They can provide counseling to improve their diet and prescribe changes to help them recover.