cachexia

noun

ca·​chex·​ia kə-ˈkek-sē-ə How to pronounce cachexia (audio)
ka-
: general physical wasting and malnutrition usually associated with chronic disease

Examples of cachexia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In cancer patients, a syndrome called cachexia causes changes in metabolism and appetite. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2024 Various health conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), muscular dystrophy, spinal cord atrophy, cachexia from cancer, severe burns, or nerve damage from diabetes can also cause muscle wasting. Laura Campedelli, Verywell Health, 30 July 2024 The board has added just one condition through the process so far, approving cachexia, or wasting syndrome, in 2020. Jackie Borchardt, The Enquirer, 14 May 2021 One of the first alarming signs of cancer is cachexia, or unintentional weight loss. Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 24 Mar. 2023 Before Wednesday, the board had added just one condition through the process so far, approving cachexia, or wasting syndrome, in 2020. Jackie Borchardt, The Enquirer, 10 June 2021 The Ohio State Medical Board approved adding cachexia, a wasting syndrome marked by severe weight loss, to the 21 conditions for which patients can treat with medical marijuana if recommended by a physician. Jackie Borchardt, The Enquirer, 8 July 2020 Patients with cachexia can lose their appetites, which makes their symptoms worse. cleveland, 25 June 2020 Laura Hancock reports that cachexia (pronounced kuh-KEK-see-uh) occurs as a result of other diseases -- such as cancer, HIV and AIDs, kidney or heart failure or advanced kidney disease. Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, 26 June 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cachexia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin, borrowed from Greek kachexía, from kakós "bad, poor" + héxis "possession, condition, state" (from hech-, the base of échō, échein "to possess, keep, be in a giveen state" + -sis -sis) + -ia -ia entry 1 — more at caco-, scheme entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1538, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cachexia was circa 1538

Dictionary Entries Near cachexia

Cite this Entry

“Cachexia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cachexia. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

cachexia

noun
ca·​chex·​ia kə-ˈkek-sē-ə, ka- How to pronounce cachexia (audio)
variants also cachexy
plural cachexias also cachexies
: general physical wasting and malnutrition usually associated with chronic disease

More from Merriam-Webster on cachexia

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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