Appetite Loss: Root Causes, Associated Symptoms, and Remedies
Loss of appetite, also known as anorexia, can be a concerning issue for many individuals. This condition is characterised by a decreased desire to eat, leading to weight loss, muscle wastage, and general ill-health. It is crucial to seek medical help if you experience a prolonged loss of appetite, unexpected or rapid weight loss, or other symptoms such as stomach pain, fever, shortness of breath, coughing, rapid or irregular heartbeat, and irregular urination.
There are various factors that can cause a loss of appetite, including medical conditions, mental health conditions, and medication side effects. Hunger is a physiological need for food, driven by the body's energy requirements, while appetite is the desire to eat, influenced by emotions, habits, and sensory appeal.
Common short-term causes of a loss of appetite include colds, flu, respiratory infections, bacterial or viral infections, constipation, an upset stomach, digestive issues, acid reflux, food poisoning, allergies, food intolerances, a stomach bug or gastroenteritis, pregnancy, hormonal imbalances, stress, medication side effects, alcohol or drug use, and mouth pain due to sores.
However, loss of appetite can also be associated with various long-term medical conditions. Here are some of the key conditions that can lead to decreased appetite:
1. **Chronic Diseases:** Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy often suppress appetite due to nausea, changes in taste and smell, and a false sense of fullness. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) can also cause symptoms such as loss of appetite, fatigue, and weight loss. Hypothyroidism, a condition that reduces thyroid hormone production, can also reduce appetite along with other symptoms like fatigue and weight gain.
2. **Neurological Conditions:** Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease can impair appetite due to cognitive decline and motor issues.
3. **Infections and Chronic Illnesses:** Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) can cause malnutrition due to pain or discomfort, leading to reduced appetite. Gastrointestinal diseases like Crohn's disease and celiac disease can cause malabsorption, leading to malnutrition.
4. **Anemia:** This condition can cause weakness and a lack of appetite due to low red blood cell count.
5. **Medications:** Certain medications, such as those for depression, migraines, COPD, and high blood pressure, can suppress appetite as a side effect.
6. **Anorexia of Aging:** A natural decline in appetite often seen in elderly individuals, which can lead to malnutrition and other health issues.
If a doctor suspects that a specific medication is causing a loss of appetite, they may change the dosage or the medication. A doctor can also provide nutritional advice and create a nutritional plan to help individuals with serious illnesses get necessary calories and nutrients.
Home remedies for appetite loss include eating several smaller meals per day, making meals high in nutritional value, having liquid meals, adding flavorings to meals, eating in relaxing or social settings, keeping fluid intake high, and doing gentle exercise like a short walk.
Psychological factors and mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, stress, grief, eating disorders like bulimia or anorexia nervosa, can significantly affect a person's appetite. If depression or anxiety is causing a loss of appetite, talking therapies and sometimes antidepressants can help.
A temporary loss of appetite can be due to common viral or bacterial infections, such as flu or gastroenteritis. Using drugs recreationally, such as cocaine, cannabis, and amphetamines, can also cause a loss of appetite.
If people experience stomach pains, heartburn, feeling full quickly, yellowing of the skin, eyes, or both, blood in the stool, they need to consult a doctor who will be able to find out the underlying cause. A loss of appetite or unexpected weight loss can sometimes be a symptom of certain cancers, such as pancreatic, ovarian, or stomach cancer.
A doctor will consider all symptoms to determine the possible cause of a loss of appetite, perform examinations like abdominal exams, and may carry out tests like blood tests, abdominal X-rays, or endoscopies. If necessary, they may prescribe medications to help increase appetite and reduce symptoms, such as nausea.
In conclusion, understanding the causes of loss of appetite is crucial for early detection and treatment. If you are experiencing a loss of appetite, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
- Chronic diseases like cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can suppress appetite due to nausea, changes in taste and smell, and a false sense of fullness.
- Neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease, can impair appetite due to cognitive decline and motor issues.
- Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) can cause malnutrition due to pain or discomfort, leading to reduced appetite.
- Hypothyroidism, a condition that reduces thyroid hormone production, can also reduce appetite along with other symptoms like fatigue and weight gain.
- Certain medications, such as those for depression, migraines, COPD, and high blood pressure, can suppress appetite as a side effect.
- Anorexia of Aging, a natural decline in appetite often seen in elderly individuals, can lead to malnutrition and other health issues.
- Psychological factors and mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, stress, grief, eating disorders like bulimia or anorexia nervosa, can significantly affect a person's appetite.
- A doctor may consider predictive science, such as the science of medical conditions, health and wellness, fitness and exercise, and mental health, to help understand the causes of a loss of appetite and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
