Which term is defined as ill health, malnutrition, and wasting?

The term defined as ill health, malnutrition, and wasting is cachexia. This condition is often seen in patients suffering from chronic illnesses such as cancer, AIDS, and severe chronic infections. It is characterized by a significant loss of weight, muscle mass, and overall energy, which can severely impact a person's quality of life. Cachexia involves complex metabolic processes and can be triggered by inflammation, hormonal changes, and decreased appetite, making it different from simple malnutrition. Understanding this term is essential in fields like medicine and nursing, where recognizing signs of cachexia can lead to timely interventions and improved patient outcomes.

The other terms do not relate to ill health and malnutrition in the same way. Cataplasia refers to the loss of differentiation in cells, cholangiography is a diagnostic imaging technique for the bile ducts, and borborygmus refers to the rumbling sounds produced by the movement of gas and fluid in the intestines. Each of these terms has specific medical relevance, but they do not encompass the broad concept of ill health, malnutrition, and wasting that cachexia does.