Which term describes physical wasting away with loss of weight and muscle mass?

Which term describes physical wasting away with loss of weight and muscle mass?

• A. Emaciation
• B. Cachexia
• C. Malnutrition
• D. Anorexia

Answer: (B)

Wasting away with loss of weight and muscle mass describes cachexia. This condition is a syndrome seen with chronic diseases where metabolic changes lead to ongoing loss of body weight, especially muscle, even if caloric intake is not severely reduced. It goes beyond simple undernutrition by involving systemic inflammation and altered metabolism that drive catabolism. Emaciation refers to the visible appearance of extreme thinness, but it’s not the specific medical term for the underlying process. Malnutrition means not enough nutrient intake or absorption, which can contribute to weight loss but doesn’t separately describe the muscle-wasting metabolic state. Anorexia is a loss of appetite, not the actual wasting of muscle mass. Thus, cachexia best fits the description.

Wasting away with loss of weight and muscle mass describes cachexia. This condition is a syndrome seen with chronic diseases where metabolic changes lead to ongoing loss of body weight, especially muscle, even if caloric intake is not severely reduced. It goes beyond simple undernutrition by involving systemic inflammation and altered metabolism that drive catabolism.

Emaciation refers to the visible appearance of extreme thinness, but it’s not the specific medical term for the underlying process. Malnutrition means not enough nutrient intake or absorption, which can contribute to weight loss but doesn’t separately describe the muscle-wasting metabolic state. Anorexia is a loss of appetite, not the actual wasting of muscle mass. Thus, cachexia best fits the description.