Medical conditions that frequently occur with HIV/AIDS

Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the most prevalent aspects of HIV and increases in severity as the HIV infection spreads through the body. Fatigue specifically linked to HIV infection is called HIV Related Fatigue Syndrome. Research has shown no distinct cause of the fatigue and there is no consistent correlation with viral load levels and level of fatigue. This research has suggested that the fatigue could be associated with a myriad of HIV-related conditions such as anemia, hormonal imbalances, depression, anxiety, poor nutrition, insufficient or poor quality sleep, lack of physical activity and medication side effects.

Fatigue is among the most problematic of HIV-related conditions as it causes significant functional limitations. Patients with HIV-related fatigue are much more likely to be unemployed, to feel sleepy and lethargic for large portions of the day, to sleep and nap more, and to have diminished mid-morning alertness than non-HIV infected people.

Mental illness

People with HIV/AIDS are disproportionately more likely to suffer comorbid mental illnesses including mood and behavioral disorders, and other psychiatric problems such as substance abuse. As HIV progresses its spread in the body, mental illness factors are frequently exacerbated by loss of employment, consequent financial hardship, dislocation of established social networks, pain, fatigue, and other diminution of quality of life. Major depression is the most common psychiatric disorder in people with HIV/AIDS, and worsens dramatically as the disease progresses.

Associated with depression in HIV/AIDS patients are: depressed mood, adhedonia, feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, sleep disturbances, fatigue, psychomotor slowing, and agitation. HIV/AIDS also affects mental well-being by causing memory loss, concentration problems, and anxiety. As HIV attacks the nervous system, it causes a gradual decline in basic motor and coordination skills.

Peripheral neuropathy

There are several kinds of peripheral neuropathies associated with HIV infection, which primarily affect the sense of touch in hands and feet, but can cause muscle weakness and more severe neurological disorders as well. HIV does not infect neurons directly, but causes peripheral neuropathies by damaging the cells that surround nerves, unraveling neural insulation and slowing, garbling or stopping transmission of information to and from the brain.

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may appear shortly after exposure to HIV, and include painful burning and/or numbness in the hands and/or feet.

Lipodystrophy

Lipodystrophy is the most common and potentially the most serious side effect of taking HAART drugs over a period of time. Lidodystrophy is marked by a swollen belly and an accumulation of fat on the back of the neck, and a converse loss of tissue from the face, arm, and legs. Internally, lipodystrophy is characterized by high levels of fat in the blood and insulin resistance (contributing to diabetes). The high levels of fat in the blood contribute to heart problems, increasing the risk of potentially fatal heart attacks.

Lipoatrophy

Lipoatrophy refers to the loss of fat associated with lipodystrophy. Fat is lost from under the skin of the arms and legs causing veins to appear more prominent, as well as from the face causing sunken eyes, cheeks, and temples. Long term use of the anti-retrovirals d4T or AZT is the most common cause of lipoatrophy.

Diabetes

Diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin and glucose levels in the blood get too high. Over time, the high levels of glucose can cause serious problems to the eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

Symptoms of diabetes include fatigue, thirst, weight loss, blurred vision, and frequent urination. Diabetic individuals are much more likely to have heart disease stroke than non-diabetics.

Diabetic neuropathy

High glucose levels in the blood cause damage to blood vessels that bring oxygen to some nerves and nerve coverings. The damage caused by diabetes to nerves can stop or slow signals to and from the brain. Numbness, pinpoint pain, and weakness in the hands, arms, feet, and legs may result. Other organs involved in diabetic neuropathy are the digestive tract, heart, lungs, eyes, and sex organs.

Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are numbness, reduced ability to feel pain or changes in temperature, burning in the feet, muscle weakness, frequent urinary tract infections and urinary incontinence.

Diabetics often suffer serious problems with their feet as the result of nerve damage, circulation problems and infections. The feet can become deformed causing pressure points, blisters, sores, or ulcers. Poor circulation compounds the problem, making foot wounds slow to heal and prone to infection. Amputation of toes, feet, or legs is frequently necessary to prevent such infections from becoming fatal.