Cachexia is a complex syndrome characterized by severe weight loss, muscle wasting, and fat depletion.
It often occurs in patients with chronic illnesses such as cancer, chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and advanced HIV/AIDS.
Cachexia is not merely a consequence of reduced food intake; it involves metabolic changes and inflammation that lead to catabolism, or the breakdown of body tissues.