Tag: Infectious disease

According to the World Health Organization, severe acute malnutrition (SAM) affects millions of children globally, making accurate differential diagnosis crucial for effective treatment. Marasmus, a form of SAM, is characterized by severe wasting and energy deficiency, but many other conditions can mimic its presentation, requiring a systematic approach to diagnosis.

Despite the rising interest in human breast milk among adults, experts emphasize that its unique nutritional profile is biologically tailored to infants. The idea that adults can drink breast milk regularly and derive substantial health benefits is a widespread myth, lacking scientific support and carrying significant risks, especially from unregulated sources.

In 2022, over 2.5 billion adults were overweight, while 390 million were underweight, illustrating the world's dual challenge with malnutrition. This statistic underscores the complex reality that the planet faces both ends of the nutritional spectrum, prompting the crucial question: Is overnutrition worse than undernutrition?

According to the World Health Organization, nearly half of all deaths among children under five are linked to undernutrition, revealing the profound societal and health issues that malnutrition is linked to. This complex condition extends beyond simply a lack of food, encompassing deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in nutrient intake.

Tuberculosis (TB) was responsible for approximately 1.25 million fatalities in 2023, making it one of the world's deadliest infectious agents. It is a persistent myth that tuberculosis is a deficiency disease, but in reality, it is a bacterial infection, while malnutrition acts as a major risk factor. This article clarifies the distinction and explores the dangerous link between poor nutrition and susceptibility to TB.

According to the World Health Organization, diarrheal disease is a leading cause of childhood mortality, and it is a major contributor to malnutrition in children under five. The intricate and dangerous interaction between diarrhea and malnutrition creates a vicious cycle that significantly impacts child health and development globally.

In recent years, the use of therapeutic zinc to treat diarrhea in children has seen a large increase in low- and middle-income countries, yet a 2024 review found coverage remains incomplete. This raises a critical question: is zinc treatment for diarrhea international trends signaling successful widespread adoption, or are significant hurdles delaying global implementation?

According to UNICEF, nearly 20 million children under five suffer from severe acute malnutrition and it is a leading cause of child deaths globally. A complex interplay of social, environmental, and physiological aspects form the factors contributing to severe acute malnutrition, creating a critical public health challenge that requires a comprehensive understanding.

Nearly half of all deaths among children under five are linked to undernutrition, illustrating the deep and devastating connection between nutritional status and survival. This fact underscores the vicious cycle that perpetuates the relationship between disease and starvation, a complex issue where each condition fuels and exacerbates the other.

According to the World Health Organization, zinc deficiency affects nearly 2 billion people worldwide and is a significant contributor to the global disease burden. While not a direct cause of immediate death in most cases, a severe and prolonged zinc deficiency can lead to fatal complications, especially in children and individuals with compromised health.