What Is a Decreased Appetite?
A decreased appetite occurs when you have a reduced desire to eat.
It may also be known as a poor appetite or loss of appetite.
A wide variety of conditions can cause your appetite to decrease, ranging from mental conditions to physical illnesses.
If you develop a loss of appetite, you may also experience related symptoms, such as weight loss or malnutrition. These can be serious if left untreated, so it is important to find the reason behind your decreased appetite and treat it.
A wide variety of conditions can cause your appetite to decrease, ranging from mental conditions to physical illnesses.
If you develop a loss of appetite, you may also experience related symptoms, such as weight loss or malnutrition. These can be serious if left untreated, so it is important to find the reason behind your decreased appetite and treat it.
What Causes A Decreased Appetite?
A number of conditions can lead to a decreased appetite. In most
cases, your appetite will return to normal once the original condition
is treated.
Boredom and stress have also been linked to a decreased appetite.
Eating disorders—such as anorexia nervosa—can also lead to a decreased appetite overall. A person with anorexia undergoes self-starvation or other methods to lose weight. People who suffer from this condition are typically underweight and have an extreme fear of gaining weight. Anorexia nervosa can also cause malnutrition.
Pregnancy can also cause a loss of appetite during the first trimester.
Bacteria and Viruses
Most commonly, a decreased appetite is due to a bacterial or viral infection. The symptom appears along with other influenza symptoms—such as coughing, tiredness, or sneezing. As these illnesses are typically very short-term and rarely last over a few weeks, your appetite will return to normal quickly.Psychological Causes
There are various psychological causes for a decreased appetite. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), many elderly people lose their appetites, though the reason why is unknown. (NIH, 2010) Your appetite may also tend to decrease when you are sad, depressed, grieving, or anxious.Boredom and stress have also been linked to a decreased appetite.
Eating disorders—such as anorexia nervosa—can also lead to a decreased appetite overall. A person with anorexia undergoes self-starvation or other methods to lose weight. People who suffer from this condition are typically underweight and have an extreme fear of gaining weight. Anorexia nervosa can also cause malnutrition.
Physical Causes
The following medical conditions may cause your appetite to decrease:- chronic liver disease or kidney failure
- heart failure
- hepatitis
- HIV
- dementia
- hypothyroidism, a condition where your thyroid is under-active
Pregnancy can also cause a loss of appetite during the first trimester.
Medicines
Some medications and drugs may reduce your appetite. These include street drugs—such as cocaine, heroin, and amphetamines—along with prescribed medications, such as some antibiotics, codeine, morphine, and chemotherapy drugs.When to Seek Emergency Treatment
Always contact your doctor right away if you begin to lose weight rapidly for no apparent reason.
It is also important to seek immediate medical help if your decreased appetite could be a result of depression, alcohol abuse, or an eating disorder such as anorexia.
It is also important to seek immediate medical help if your decreased appetite could be a result of depression, alcohol abuse, or an eating disorder such as anorexia.
How Is A Decreased Appetite Treated?
Treatment for a decreased appetite will depend on its cause. If the
cause is a bacterial or viral infection you will usually not require
treatment, as your appetite will quickly return once your infection is
cured.
Eating frequent small meals can be helpful, and these are usually easier on the stomach than large meals. To ensure you are getting enough nutrients from food, meals should be high in calories and protein. You may also want to try liquid protein drinks.
It can be useful to keep a diary of what you eat and drink over a period of a few days to a week. This will help your doctor to assess your nutritional intake and the extent of your decreased appetite.
You will also be asked about your medical history, any medications you take, and your diet. Be prepared to answer questions about:
If your decreased appetite has resulted in malnutrition, you may be given nutrients through an intravenous (IV) line.
Your doctor may refer to you to a mental health specialist or addiction counselor if your loss of appetite is a result of depression, an eating disorder, or drug use.
Loss of appetite caused by medications may be treated by changing your dosage or switching your prescription. Never change your medications without first consulting your doctor.
Home Care
If the decrease is due to a medical condition like cancer or chronic illness, it can be difficult to stimulate your appetite. However, eating with family and friends, cooking your favourite foods, or going out to eat at restaurants may help to encourage eating. Light exercise may help increase appetite, or you might consider focusing on eating just one large meal per day, with light snacks in between.Eating frequent small meals can be helpful, and these are usually easier on the stomach than large meals. To ensure you are getting enough nutrients from food, meals should be high in calories and protein. You may also want to try liquid protein drinks.
It can be useful to keep a diary of what you eat and drink over a period of a few days to a week. This will help your doctor to assess your nutritional intake and the extent of your decreased appetite.
Medical Care
During your appointment, your doctor will try to create a full picture of your symptom. He or she will measure your weight and height and compare this to the average for the population.You will also be asked about your medical history, any medications you take, and your diet. Be prepared to answer questions about:
- when the symptom started
- whether it is mild or severe
- how much weight you have lost
- if there were any trigger events
- if you have any other symptoms
- an ultrasound of your abdomen
- a complete blood count
- tests of your liver, thyroid and kidney function—these usually require only a blood sample
- an upper GI series—X-rays that examine your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine
If your decreased appetite has resulted in malnutrition, you may be given nutrients through an intravenous (IV) line.
Your doctor may refer to you to a mental health specialist or addiction counselor if your loss of appetite is a result of depression, an eating disorder, or drug use.
Loss of appetite caused by medications may be treated by changing your dosage or switching your prescription. Never change your medications without first consulting your doctor.
What Is the Outcome if Decreased Appetite Is Not Treated?
If your decreased appetite is caused by a short-term condition, you
are likely to recover naturally without any long-term effects.
However, if your decreased appetite is caused by a medical condition, the condition could worsen without treatment.
If left untreated, your decreased appetite can also be accompanied with more severe symptoms, such as:
However, if your decreased appetite is caused by a medical condition, the condition could worsen without treatment.
If left untreated, your decreased appetite can also be accompanied with more severe symptoms, such as:
- extreme fatigue
- weight loss
- a rapid heart rate
- a fever
- irritability
- general ill feeling
Article Sources:
- Appetite—decreased. (2010, July 22). University of Maryland Medical Center. Retrieved July 25, 2012, from http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/003121.htm
- Appetite—decreased. (2010, July 22). National Institutes of Health. Retrieved July 25, 2012, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003121.htm
- Weight loss—Unintentional. (2011, February 20). National Institutes of Health. Retrieved July 29, 2012, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003107.htm
- Anorexia Nervosa. (2012, February 13). National Institutes of Health. Retrieved July 25, 2012, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000362.htm
See a list of possible causes in order from the most common to the least.
Anorexia is an eating disorder in which
obsessive worry about body weight and the food you eat can result in
severe weight loss. Symptoms include constipation, missed period, and
thinning hair.
Depression is a mood disorder that can cause
extreme and persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and
worthlessness. Depression type largely determines what kind of medical
treatment is best.
Giardiasis is a parasitic infection of the small intestine. It may cause fatigue, stomach pain, bloating, and excessive gas.
The thyroid gland produces a hormone that
controls how your cells use energy (metabolize). Hypothyroidism occurs
when the body doesn't produce enough. Untreated, it can cause
comlications like obesity and heart disease.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a condition that affects a woman
Alcoholism
is also known as alcohol dependence. It occurs when you drink so much
over time that your body becomes dependent on or addicted to alcohol.
When this happens, alcohol use becomes the most important thing i...
This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.
Heat emergencies are health crises caused by
exposure to hot weather and sun. Heat emergencies have three stages:
heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. All three stages are
serious.
Common colds and influenza are contagious
infections that affect the respiratory system. Both are airborne
illnesses, spread through coughing and sneezing. Shared symptoms include
headache, cough, sore throat, and more.
Acute pancreatitis is an inflammation in the
pancreas, which causes pain and swelling in the upper left side of the
abdomen, nausea, and burping.
Acid reflux symptoms are caused when stomach
contents flow up from the stomach back into the esophagus, causing
symptoms like heartburn, stomach pain, and burping.
Damage
to the liver from excessive drinking can lead to ALD. Years of alcohol
abuse cause the liver to become inflamed and swollen. This damage can
also cause scarring known as cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the final stage
o...
Low blood sodium, or hyponatremia, occurs when
water and sodium are out of balance in your body. A quick drop in sodium
levels can cause weakness, headache, nausea, and muscle cramps.
Hypercalcemia is a condition in which you have
too much calcium in your blood. Serious cases could cause symptoms like
abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, and weakness.
Viral gastroenteritis, also known as the
stomach flu, is caused by a number of different viruses. Its symptoms
usually last for two to three days.
This feature is for informational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose.
Please consult a healthcare professional if you have health concerns.
Please consult a healthcare professional if you have health concerns.
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