Lack of appetite

When to worry about lack of appetite? What are reasons for lost appetite? What to eat when you have no appetite?

Loss of appetite , medically referred to as anorexia , can be caused by a variety of conditions and diseases. Some of the conditions can be temporary and reversible, such as loss of appetite from the effects of medications. Any persisting lack of appetite should be evaluated by a health care professional.

The condition can be as common as the flu or a sign of something more serious like cancer. Often a loss of appetite can cause fatigue , especially if you aren’t getting enough calories or nutrients. Chronic, or long-term, pain can also interfere with your appetite and cause fatigue. Technically, anorexia is the medical term that describes loss of appetite. However this usually refers to unintentional appetite loss, which is different than the eating disorder anorexia nervosa that is associated with intentional food restriction.

A decreased appetite is almost always seen in older adults. Often, no physical cause is found. Emotions such as sadness, depression, or grief can lead to a loss of appetite.

Cancer can also cause decreased appetite.

You may lose weight without trying. Having a lack of appetite can be concerning, especially if you feel nausea , fatigue , and are experiencing rapid weight loss. A loss of appetite can be caused by mental health issues like depression or anxiety, an infection or common cold , a stomach virus , or hypothyroidism. Most people suffering from such issues suffer from reduced appetite frequently.

Most people, who are undergoing recovery phase while under prevalence of flu, may not feel hungry. In some cases, sudden loss of appetite occurs at an advanced stage illness, such as congestive heart failure or kidney failure. Psychological diseases including depression, anxiety disorder and schizophrenia can also cause sudden loss of appetite, particularly if symptoms of the underlying disease increase suddenly. People with poor appetite or appetite loss may eat less than usual, not feel hungry at all, or feel full after eating only a small amount.

Ongoing appetite loss may lead to serious complications. These include weight loss , not getting the nutrients that the body needs, and fatigue and weakness from muscle loss. A lack of appetite is a common side effect of cancer. The disease and its treatments, like radiation and chemotherapy, might also cause nausea, pain, or dehydration.

They can even change the way foods taste or smell. Talk to your doctor if you have a hard time eating enough at mealtime. Fatigue, pain, and depressive symptoms from the cancer may also lead to a reduced appetite. These issues can slow recovery and lead to breaks in treatment. Conditions causing breathlessness.

If it is difficult to breathe, it may be hard to eat at the same time as breathe.

Lack of appetite can range in intensity from slight, to moderate, to severe. It can also come in waves, where it’s strong one moment and eases off the next. You can even bolster calories by serving the dessert à la mode or pouring gravy with meat bits over the potatoes. Just as other changes in the body, reduced appetite is normal phenomenon among elderly. As a person ages, many body functions become lax or work slow.

Lack of interest in food due to changing taste buds, depression or loneliness. Medication side effects. Because loss of appetite in dogs can indicate illness, it is important to seek veterinary care if you notice changes in your dog’s eating habits.

It is especially important to respond promptly to a refusal to eat in dogs that usually eat well. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.