What Are The Early Signs Of Malnutrition?

Feeling Cold Frequently

Many individuals who are malnourished also feel cold frequently. They might feel like they can't retain body heat. If they aren't by a source of warmth like a heater, they might constantly feel cold, even if they're covered in insulating clothes and blankets. Individuals may also not get hot on hot days. Feeling cold can also be a sign of other issues, one of the most prominent being thyroid dysfunction.

One of the reasons individuals might feel cold because of malnutrition is due to anemia, which occurs when individuals don't have enough red blood cells, or the red blood cells they have aren't functioning adequately. Iron deficiencies are among the most common causes of anemia, with B12 deficiencies being right behind. Anemia can be diagnosed through blood tests. In addition to anemia, malnutrition can cause other mineral and vitamin deficiencies that might affect an individual's ability to regulate their body temperature.

Delay In Wound Healing

The body requires carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, and vitamins to adequately heal wounds. Without energy and nutrients from food, the systems inside the body can't work together to heal injuries in a timely manner. Just one nutrient deficiency can have a serious impact on wound healing, depending on the substance. Multiple nutrient deficiencies and lack of calories can be disastrous. Researchers have also found through statistical analysis that malnourished individuals have an increased risk of infection and decreased tensile strength in their wounds.

Some malnourished patients develop infections due to a sluggish immune system, pressure ulcers due to cardiovascular issues, and slow wound healing due to compromised clotting factors. This can cause wounds to become chronic instead of healing. When a wound is chronic and doesn't heal, the chances of serious infection and other complications are much higher. Chronic wounds greatly increase mortality rates, especially in malnourished individuals whose immune systems are struggling to compensate.