Calories are one of the essential elements needed for body health. If the body lacks calories, it will cause malnutrition which is harmful to the health of the body. Various diseases will hunt you. What are the diseases caused by a lack of calories? Let's see the following explanation.
1. Anemia
Anemia is the most common disease caused by a lack of calories and nutrients. Although various factors can trigger it, one of the occurrences of anemia is a deficiency of vitamin B12 and iron. Anemia occurs because the number of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all body organs experiences lower number than normal. Some anemia symptoms are the body's weakness and the face looks pale. Sufferers also often experience shortness of breath, and the body feels cold. The way to prevent and treat anemia is to consume iron, such as chicken liver, fish, and eggs.
2. Marasmus
Marasmus is a form of severe malnutrition. It can happen to anyone with severe malnutrition, but it usually occurs in children. Generally, marasmus occurs in developing countries. Marasmus occurs when the body lacks protein and calories for a long time and can be life-threatening. The main symptom of marasmus is low body weight due to loss of muscle mass and subcutaneous fat. Subcutaneous fat is the fat just under the skin. In addition, other symptoms of marasmus are brittle hair and dry skin, chronic diarrhea, intellectual disability, respiratory infections, more easily emotional/angry, and the face looks older.
The way to prevent and treat marasmus is to consume good-calorie foods such as fish, eggs, and nuts.
3. Kwashiorkor
Kwashiorkor is a disease caused by a lack of protein from food intake. This disease is also called edema malnutrition because it relates to fluid retention (edema). The signs of this disease are an enlarged liver, a slightly distended abdomen, dermatitis, has a rather emaciated appearance except on the stomach and legs.
The way to prevent and treat kwashiorkor is to consume foods with high protein, such as milk, cheese, and eggs.
4. Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia is a condition that occurs when the body is deficient in potassium, and this can occur in a short time. One of the conditions that can cause a person to lack potassium in the body is excessive vomiting or diarrhea and inadequate nutritional intake. With increasing age, the incidence of hypokalemia increases, especially in the elderly.
The way to prevent and treat hypokalemia is to consume healthy foods rich in potassium.
5. Goiter
Goiter is a disease of neck swelling, especially in the front of the neck. A lack of iodine levels or other diseases causes this. Usually, sufferers have nodules on the thyroid with sizes that vary from small to large. Symptoms of goiter are coughing, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing and wheezing.
The way to prevent and treat goiter is to consume lots of foods high in iodine, such as iodized salt, sea fish, shellfish, shrimp, and seaweed.
6. Vitamin Deficiency
Vitamin deficiency is a condition of vitamin deficiency, namely fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, and water-soluble vitamins, namely vitamins C and B (1-thiamin, 12, and folate). Examination to ensure vitamin levels is by laboratory examination and treated with vitamin supplements or administration of vitamin injections.
7. Hyponatremia
Hyponatremia is a condition in which sodium in the blood becomes very low. Signs of hyponatremia are dizziness, confusion, headache, nausea, restlessness, irritability, muscle weakness, coma, and seizures.
The way to prevent and treat hyponatremia is to ensure that you consume enough sodium or salt.