According to "Journal Watch," AID patients who lose more than 10 percent of their baseline weights are suffering from "wasting syndrome." This often comes accompanied with other symptoms such as fever and chronic diarrhea. Over 20 percent of people with AIDS suffer from wasting syndrome. Preventing, stopping and treating wasting is essential to restore well-being and slow down disease progression. As patients experience wasting, they become more susceptible to infections and disease and the risk of mortality increases.
Loss of Appetite
Patients with HIV and AIDS often lose their appetites. This can occur for a number of reasons, including as a side effect of prescription medications. Nausea, ulcers, bacterial pathogens and diarrhea can all affect the absorption of food and lead to wasting. The first step to prevent wasting it to work with a dietitian to create an appealing diet that is also high in calories. The diet should include any foods that the patient enjoys eating and do not cause any side effects such as vomiting or diarrhea. Although nutrition is essential, preventing further weight loss is also key to stopping wasting, so the nutritionist might allow high-calorie, high-fat foods such as chocolate and others in order to provide enough calories. Some people might need to take appetite stimulants to help with the process.
Diet Balance
At least 20 percent of the calories consumed every day should be protein, according to Journal Watch. People who are suffering from wasting should also increase their calorie intakes significantly. Experts recommend up to 60 calories per kilogram of weight. This means a person who weighs 65 kg, or 143 lbs., could need up to 3,900 calories per day. Because this is a very high number, it might require the intake of high-fat foods.
Foods
According to the American Council on Science and Health, some nutrients are specially useful to help fight wasting in people with AIDS. Most of these nutrients are still under investigation, so there's no definitive answer on how much you should be consuming. Always discuss supplements with your doctor before adding them to your diet. You could also increase your intake of foods rich in the nutrients your doctor recommends. Useful nutrients include vitamins A, C and E, which are abundant in fruits and vegetables. B vitamins, as well as selenium and zinc, are also important. Animal products, including meats, dairy and eggs are rich in these nutrients, as are sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds.
Total Parenteral Nutrition
Total parenteral nutrition or intravenous feeding is used in cases of advanced wasting. In this process, a catheter is placed directly on a vein and left in place for up to 12 hours a day. The solution provided through the tube contains all necessary proteins, lipids, nutrients and carbohydrates needed for energy and health. According to Journal Watch, this is a temporary solution, with the ultimate goal being a return to solid food.
