Cachexia

Cachexia is a wasting syndrome usually caused by various underlying disorders, and results in nutritional deficiency. Symptoms can include loss of weight, fatigue, muscle atrophy, loss of appetite and weakness. Cachexia can be caused by various cancers, Congestive Heart Failure, drug addiction, infectious diseases, and autoimmune disorders.

A severe reduction in body mass (more than 10% of total body weight) may cause changes in metabolic functions such as electrolyte balance. When electrolyte imbalances occurs it results in reduced strength, increased weakness and fatigue, feeling of numbness / tingling / involuntary twitching, and even pain. Even the most basic tasks can be difficult to individuals who are severely malnourished. In the most severe cases, starvation results in death.

Surveys conducted on appetite stimulation have shown that the use of marijuana has the potential to increase one’s appetite.