5 Most Reliable Ways Of Fighting Kwashiorkor
Diseases are born to affect bodies! Kwashiorkor is a type of malnutrition characterized by severe protein deficiency. It causes fluid retention and a swollen, distended abdomen. According to the “Health Essentials,” it majorly affects children living in underdeveloped countries with high poverty levels and drought.
There are numerous amounts of cases reported in Kenya due to a lack of protein in the diet of the citizens and, most importantly, the transition of children from breastfeeding to an insufficient diet with a lack of carbohydrates.
However, the query arises with doubt and fear among many people whether Kwashiorkor is a disease that can be fought despite being an inborn disease.
Here are the 5 most reliable ways to fight Kwashiorkor:
1. Treat Dehydration
A special formula called RESOMAL (Rehydration Solution for Malnutrition) is given to treat dehydration in Kwashiorkor. It’s designed to restore and maintain the body’s fluid/sodium balance. It can be given orally or through a tube. Moreover, this can also be stable by bringing less stress and work to the infected ones so that their body uses up less water and nutrients. As a result, a person’s body can resist itself for much longer.
2. Treat Infection
This health issue brings a diminished immune system with which all infections are a serious threat to recovery. In this case, infections are treated with antibiotics. The antibiotic: Ampicillin is highly recommended by doctors all around the world for people suffering from malnutrition diseases. Antibiotics are powerful medications that kill bacteria-causing virals in a patient with a weak internal body and stop them from reproducing. As a result, the use of such helpful drugs prevents millions of deaths from occurring each year.
3. Start Cautious Feeding
Undernourished bodies have altered metabolism. Refeeding will trigger their metabolism to change again. But if this happens too fast, it can cause life-threatening complications (refeeding syndrome). Feeding begins slowly under close observation. Protein, in particular, should be reintroduced gradually in Kwashiorkor. Once the child appears to be tolerating refeeding well, their calories can increase to up to 140% of the recommended value. The WHO provides ready-made liquid formulas that can be given orally or by tube if necessary. This is the nutritional rehabilitation stage of treatment. It may last up to six weeks.
4. Provide Mental and Emotional Guidance
Children with Kwashiorkor may have been in a state of apathy for some time. Stimulating their development to reboot is part of the treatment plan. This healthcare treatment mostly involves and instructs the family members, especially the mother, on evolving with the patient. Firstly, the infected one should be kept away from all screeching and harsh behavior and reactions. Moreover, they should be encouraged and introduced to small areas of the realistic world. Secondly, they should have a balanced diet and regular exercise. This can easily be organized by making a weekly chart. Such people need special care, love, and attention. This can play a very important role in fostering positive thinking, which would leave a huge impact on their health.
5. Follow-up After Recovery
Before discharging the child from care, healthcare providers offer education and counseling to the mother regarding nutrition, breastfeeding, food and water hygiene, and disease prevention. They may provide immunizations as necessary. If possible, they should help secure access to a consistent, nutritious food supply.
Conclusion
Despite all medications, fighting a disease predominantly consumes a person’s willpower and the urge and strength of their body to get fit again. Kwashiorkor is an excruciating disease by birth that can risk your organs, blood circulation, body figure, and physical activities. Yet, one should always have the spirit to fight and live a normal life, and therefore, these 5 possible ways of overcoming this disorder are strongly recommended.
