Final answer:
Anorexia nervosa is a psychological disorder with intentional food restriction and a distorted body image, while cachexia is an involuntary weight loss syndrome due to diseases like cancer. Both conditions lead to severe malnutrition, but cachexia is not caused by loss of appetite alone and requires different treatment approaches.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by an extremely low intake of food, leading to dangerous levels of weight loss. It often presents with a distorted body image, causing individuals to see themselves as overweight despite being underweight. Cachexia, on the other hand, is a wasting syndrome often associated with cancer, AIDS, and certain chronic diseases, leading to significant involuntary weight loss and muscle atrophy.
The loss of appetite in cancer patients may be due to cachexia, which is distinct from anorexia nervosa, although both conditions can lead to severe malnutrition and weight loss. Anorexia nervosa results in significant health consequences including bone loss, heart failure, kidney failure, amenorrhea, reduced gonadal function, and potentially, death. Anorexia leads to malnutrition, which can manifest as loss of body fluid, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and weakened bodily functions.
It is important to distinguish between these conditions as both require different management and treatment approaches. While anorexia nervosa is a psychological disorder that involves intentional food restriction, cachexia is a physical condition where weight loss occurs regardless of food intake due to underlying health issues.