HIV-consumable syndrome represents a complication of the virus with significant weight loss accompanying fever and weakness. It is a sign that HIV causes serious damage to the immune system and progresses to three stages, commonly known as AIDS. There are several potential causes, all associated with untreated HIV with high viral load. These include poor absorption of nutrients in the intestine, harmful changes in metabolism, and lack of food intake that can be caused by poor appetite or oral infection. The main treatment is antiretroviral therapy, the primary HIV treatment. This treatment reduces HIV in the blood and results in an average weight gain of 10 to 25 percent per year. To solve certain causes, doctors can prescribe additional drugs, such as appetite-stimulating drugs.
What is HIV consumption syndrome?
HIV is a virus that infects the body and attacks the immune system. Without treatment, HIV can progress to stage 3 or later stages of a condition known as AIDS. HIV-consumable syndrome refers to an unintended loss of more than 10% of body weight that lasts at least 30 days with fever, weakness, or diarrhea. For example, a person weighing 130 pounds is accompanied by a weight loss exceeding 13 pounds. Weight loss can be caused by loss of muscle and fat. Immune system damage occurs in the final stage of HIV, which accumulates and leads to AIDS. Weight loss remains a problem for many people with the disease despite effective HIV treatment, according to an older 2009 study.
Why does it happen?
HIV consumptive syndrome can be caused by a variety of causes, including:
1. Poor absorption of nutrients
Damaged nutrient absorption can occur because opportunistic infection or HIV directly affects the intestinal wall, both reducing absorption. Opportunity infection is the vulnerability of people with weakened immune systems. Diarrhea can be another cause of poor absorption because it involves loss of nutrients and calories.
2. Inadequate food intake
The following factors can lead to a decrease in food intake.
Anorexia: Anorexia is a common HIV symptom. Some drugs can also reduce appetite due to side effects such as tingling around the mouth, nausea, and taste changes. Depression can also cause loss of appetite.
Infection in the mouth or throat: These infections can make the meal painful. It can also cause a feeling of fullness even after eating a small amount of food.
2. Metabolic changes
HIV has a detrimental effect on protein production and food digestion. This condition also changes the levels of some hormones, such as thyroid and testosterone, which can affect metabolism. People with HIV need more calories than people without the disease to maintain their weight.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of HIV-consumable syndrome include the following, including chronic weakness and diarrhea.
· a fever that lasts at least one month
· a feeling of fatigue
· a weight loss of more than 10 percent
· a decrease in body fat
Treatments
HIV treatment reduces the amount of HIV in the blood with antiretroviral therapy. When treatment reduces viral load to an undetectable level, it typically leads to an annual weight gain of 10 to 25%. Antiretroviral treatment can help slow HIV progression and prevent waste. Doctors advise people with HIV to start treatment as soon as possible after being diagnosed. Deferring treatment can help keep your immune system healthy for years, while starting early treatment can help you stay healthy.
1. Nausea and vomiting medication
The drug aims to alleviate symptoms of HIV.
2. An appetite stimulant
The doctor prescribes appetite stimulants such as Megace and dronabinol But both drugs have drawbacks. Megace causes side effects of blood clots, diabetes and bone problems.
3. Reduction of diarrhea
There is a risk of opportunistic infection that can cause diarrhea due to HIV's decreased immunity. Doctors try to treat, but some are very difficult to eradicate. The best form of treatment would be antiretroviral therapy. This is because antiretroviral therapy prevents further weakening of the immune system and leads to weight gain.
4. Hormone therapy
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Serostim, a human growth hormone, to increase weight and fat control. However, because the drug is very expensive and can cause serious side effects, some experts say that lower doses than FDA-approved doses can be desirable and effective. Researchers are studying other hormone treatments such as testosterone and muscle-forming agents. One example is 19-nortestosterone.
5. Exercise
Gradual resistance training is a type of exercise that uses weights and machines to increase muscle mass. Exercise also offers additional benefits of strengthening bones, improving cholesterol levels, and boosting mood.