Cachexia Pathophysiology

Cachexia is a complex condition where the body loses significant weight, muscle mass, and strength, often seen in chronic illnesses like cancer or heart failure. It results from a combination of factors: the body’s immune response releases substances that increase inflammation and break down muscles; the body's metabolism speeds up, burning more energy; and nutritional intake may decrease due to illness or loss of appetite. This imbalance causes the body to continually lose vital muscle and fat, weakening overall health and functioning despite adequate food intake, making recovery more difficult.