cachexia
Meaning of cachexia: Cachexia is progressive muscle and fat wasting driven by an underlying chronic illness rather than by reduced food intake alone.
Definition of cachexia
Cachexia is a syndrome of progressive loss of body weight, muscle mass, and strength that develops in association with an underlying chronic illness, including cancer, advanced heart failure, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and advanced HIV infection. It often occurs alongside reduced appetite but is driven mainly by underlying inflammatory and metabolic changes rather than by decreased food intake alone.
Because cachexia results from these underlying metabolic changes rather than simple undereating, increasing calorie intake alone often does not reverse the muscle and weight loss the way it would in someone who is losing weight from inadequate food intake without an underlying illness.
Cachexia can significantly affect a person's strength, ability to carry out daily activities, and tolerance of certain treatments, which is why the condition is increasingly recognized and addressed as a distinct problem in the care of people with an underlying chronic illness, rather than treated only as a general consequence of being sick.
Used in a sentence
The patient's cancer related cachexia was evaluated as part of the overall treatment plan.
Good to know
Cachexia differs from ordinary weight loss from reduced eating because it is driven by underlying metabolic changes, so increasing calorie intake alone often does not reverse the muscle and weight loss involved.
Word origin
Where “cachexia” comes from
Formed from Greek kakos, meaning bad, and hexis, meaning condition or state.