Nutritional disorders result from deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in dietary intake, affecting overall health.
Incidence
- Common in
underdeveloped and developing nations.
- Rising
cases in urban populations due to poor dietary habits.
Types
- Macronutrient
Deficiencies: Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM).
- Micronutrient
Deficiencies: Vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
- Overnutrition: Obesity,
metabolic syndrome.
Division
- Undernutrition: Marasmus,
Kwashiorkor.
- Overnutrition: Obesity,
diabetes.
- Vitamin/Mineral
Deficiencies:
- Iron
Deficiency: Anemia.
- Vitamin A
Deficiency: Night blindness.
- Vitamin D
Deficiency: Rickets, osteomalacia.
Clinical Features
- Weight
loss, muscle wasting (PEM).
- Fatigue,
pallor (anemia).
- Vision
impairment (Vitamin A deficiency).
Signs & Symptoms
- Stunted
growth, skin changes (Kwashiorkor).
- Bone
deformities, fractures (Vitamin D deficiency).
- Swelling,
fluid retention (protein deficiency).
Pathogenesis
- Deficiency
of essential nutrients impairs organ function.
- Prolonged starvation leads to
metabolic disturbances.
- Nutrient
excesses result in obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
Laboratory Investigations
- Serum
Vitamin Levels: Vitamin deficiencies.
- Hemoglobin
& Ferritin Levels: Iron-deficiency anemia.
- Lipid
Profile: Obesity-related disorders.
Complications
- Growth
retardation: Children with PEM.
- Organ
failure: Severe nutrient deficiencies.
- Increased
risk of chronic diseases: Diabetes, hypertension.
Homeopathic Medicines
- Alfalfa
- Indications:
Malnutrition, appetite loss, weakness.
- Calcarea
Phosphorica
- Indications:
Poor bone health, growth retardation.
- Ferrum
Metallicum
- Indications:
Anemia, weakness, fatigue.
