The impact of hunger and malnutrition on the population of the Gaza Strip

Weather of Arabia - After about a month of siege and ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, it appears that the problem of hunger and malnutrition has become a painful reality facing many residents of the Strip, and malnutrition is caused by several factors, including a lack of food supplies and a lack of healthy food available, and it can It may be the result of not eating sufficient amounts of food (excessive hunger) or not eating appropriate foods that contain the nutrients necessary for a healthy body. What also increases this problem is the continuous bombing and mass displacement that the population is suffering from, which increases the challenges of providing food and health care.

What is malnutrition?

Answer: Malnutrition is usually defined as a condition that occurs when the body does not receive all the essential nutrients it needs, or when there is a partial deficiency in these elements. Degrees of malnutrition vary from slight severity to severe cases that can cause irreversible damage. Even if the person remains alive.

Malnutrition usually develops gradually, and may be difficult to recognize in its early stages. Over time, it can result in significant physical consequences. It is important to have prior knowledge of the symptoms of malnutrition to ensure prompt treatment.

Types of malnutrition

There are different types of malnutrition. Protein-energy malnutrition, also known as protein -energy malnutrition, is a condition that occurs when there is a severe deficiency in protein and calorie intake for a long period.

This deficiency usually affects individuals of different age groups, and is not limited to children, but it is a greater problem in countries that suffer from food insecurity, where children become more vulnerable to infection and lack of protein and energy nutrition can result in serious health problems, including an increased risk of Suffering from life-threatening infectious diseases as a result of a weakened immune system can make the process of treating these diseases more difficult. Protein and energy deficiency is usually characterized by two main patterns:

Marasmus

It mostly affects young children and results from a severe deficiency of calories and protein, leading to weight loss and dehydration. Diarrhea can usually be prevented through breastfeeding.

Kwashiorkor

It occurs when severe protein deficiency is greater than caloric deficiency. It is less common than marasmus. It often appears after children are weaned. It is characterized by body swelling and fluid retention. Individuals with this disease can acquire a distinctive appearance, and their body and hair pigment is reduced.

Protein and energy deficiency can affect anyone if they do not receive adequate food, whether due to lack of food availability or loss of appetite resulting from neurological disorders. This is considered a serious problem that requires medical attention and proper nutrition for treatment and prevention.

Symptoms of malnutrition

1. Abnormal weight loss.
2. Muscle loss.
3. Blood loss.
4. Chronic diarrhea.
5. Shrinkage of vital organs such as the heart and lungs as their function gradually deteriorates.
6. Loss of the ability to digest food well; Due to a lack of production of acids and digestive enzymes in the stomach.
7. Weak immune system.
8. Irritability and quick anger.
9. Difficulty concentrating.
10. Swelling caused by fluid retention under the skin.
11. Low body temperature and increased sensitivity to cold.
12. Decreased muscle mass and general weakness.
13. Low body mass index (BMI).
14. Deficiency in vitamins and minerals.
15. Changes in general mood, such as depression.

Malnutrition can make a person feel tired and weak, and reduce their ability to recover from illnesses. Symptoms of nutritional deficiency can be difficult to distinguish and usually occur gradually, making them difficult to see in the early stages of nutritional deficiency.

In the Gaza Strip , the problem of malnutrition increases when combined with conditions of bombing and displacement. It can lead to nutritional deficiencies and difficulty accessing food easily, which greatly increases the risk of malnutrition.

Causes of malnutrition

Medical conditions and diseases are additional factors that increase the likelihood of malnutrition, as they make the body need more nutrients, or reduce the body's ability to absorb or use nutrients. These diseases include:

• cancer.
• Liver diseases.
• Chronic respiratory diseases.
• Mental health disorders such as depression and anorexia.
• Digestive diseases such as enteritis and ulcerative colitis.
• Cystic fibrosis.
• Fractures and the period after major surgeries or as a result of major military bombing, as happens in the Gaza Strip.
• Dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Persistent vomiting.
• diarrhea.
• Some types of medications and combinations increase the risk of malnutrition.

Note also that social and physical status and aging factors can increase this risk for individuals facing the problem of malnutrition in the Gaza Strip, and it is necessary to provide medical and nutritional support to people suffering from malnutrition as quickly as possible.

Treatment of malnutrition

Malnutrition is treated according to the individual health situation and its causative factors. However, malnutrition is generally treated by the following methods:

Treating malnutrition in simple cases

• Doctors give advice that includes eating foods rich in proteins.
• Encourage eating snacks between main meals.
• Drink drinks rich in calories.
• Avoid excessive activity and rest at home.

If these measures are not enough, doctors may decide to direct the patient towards taking nutritional supplements and drinks rich in calories and nutrients.

Treating cases of severe malnutrition

If the patient is unable to eat orally due to health problems, the doctor can install a feeding tube that is inserted from the nose directly into the stomach, and in some cases, feed the patient through a vein.

Also know:

Psychological first aid for the people of Gaza... How to provide psychological support to people who have been exposed to wars

After the aggression on Gaza.. How do we avoid psychological burnout during crises and wars?

Sources:

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