What Causes Loss of Appetite? How does it pass?

Anorexia is a complaint that can be caused by many problems such as vitamin deficiency and stress. The patient does not feel hunger despite not eating for long periods of time. Complaints such as sudden weight loss and muscle weakness may also occur due to lack of nutrition. Loss of appetite in infants may result in slow growth and development. The answer to the question “Why does anorexia occur?” can be found by identifying additional symptoms.
In order to eliminate anorexia, it may be preferable to first identify and eliminate the main cause.

What Causes Loss of Appetite?

A healthy person needs to be fed at regular intervals to provide the energy they need.
In order to provide this, the body creates a feeling of hunger when there is not enough fullness in the stomach.
During anorexia, there is a false feeling of fullness even though the person has not eaten.
Loss of appetite can occur for various reasons such as stomach diseases, excessive stress. Some of the causes of loss of appetite can be listed as follows:

• Infections: Many infections such as flu, colds, urinary tract infections, HIV can cause loss of appetite as a symptom.
• Medication use: Some medications such as antidepressants, painkillers, diabetes medications, chemotherapy chemicals can cause loss of appetite as a side effect.
• Stress, anxiety and depression: Stressful and depressed moods are common causes of stomach problems and loss of appetite.
  Patients struggling with depression may also experience sleep problems, attention problems and loss of appetite.
• Some chronic diseases can cause loss of appetite due to damage to the body.
• Some types of cancer: Cancers of the colon, ovaries, stomach, pancreas and stomach cancers in particular can affect the digestive system, causing a disturbance in hormone levels and digestive system functioning.
• Problems with the senses: For the mechanism underlying appetite and the desire to eat to work properly, it is important to feel the taste and smell of food.
  An example of this can be the watering of the mouth of a person who smells a good food odor.
  If the senses of taste and smell are reduced or lost, the person may be reluctant to eat.
  Some problems in the ear can also cause dizziness and nausea.
  In this case, the person also loses appetite.

What Causes Fatigue Fatigue Loss of Appetite?

Symptoms such as weakness, fatigue and loss of appetite can occur as general signs of various diseases.
They can be caused by high fluid loss in the body, infections, gastrointestinal problems.
Depending on the symptoms experienced in addition to these symptoms and the characteristics of the patient, the main cause may vary.
For example, if a baby between 8-12 months has fever and a tendency to scratch teeth in addition to these symptoms, the baby may be teething.
If symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose are seen, weakness, fatigue and loss of appetite may occur due to diseases such as flu and colds.
Anemia, vitamin and mineral deficiencies and health problems often cause symptoms of fatigue and loss of appetite.

What Causes Loss of Appetite in Children?

Loss of appetite in children can be a symptom of many diseases.
Loss of appetite in babies can occur due to problems such as teething, colds, thirst.
The causes of loss of appetite in children can be listed as follows:

• Food allergies and food sensitivities
• Constipation, gas complaints
• Seasonal infections such as flu, colds, flu
• Side effects of some medicines such as antibiotics
• Stress and anxiety

Children are at a developmental stage and cannot tolerate long periods of hunger.
They may also be more susceptible to allergic problems than adults.
For this reason, it is necessary to consult a specialist doctor even if there are no additional symptoms of illness.

What Causes Loss of Appetite in Adults?

Loss of appetite in adults can occur for a variety of reasons, from alcohol intake to stomach infections.
The causes of loss of appetite in adults are as follows:

• Infections
• Food poisoning
• Side effect of medication
• Chronic renal failure, liver problems
• Anorexia nervosa
• Some types of cancer
• Cystic fibrosis
• Old age
• High alcohol and drug use
• Hypothyroidism
• Diabetes
• Disturbances in the senses
• Problems affecting the intestines such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease
• Tooth and gum problems
• Dementia, dementia

What Causes Loss of Appetite During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the body undergoes hormonal and physiological changes.
These changes lead to disgust and nausea.
Especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, food disgust and morning sickness are experienced.
A pregnant woman may start to feel disgusted with foods that she normally loves very much. Some of the conditions that cause loss of appetite during pregnancy can be listed as follows:

• The human gonadotropin hormone (hCG) produced during pregnancy can cause nausea. Loss of appetite is more common with nausea and can cause problems with the mother’s diet.
  This hormone is at its highest level in the first three months of pregnancy, so symptoms usually begin to subside after the first trimester, but in some pregnancies they may continue until the baby is born.
• Pregnancy hormones cause hypersensitivity to the taste and smell of food.
  Spicy and smelly foods can cause aversion to food due to disgust.
• Some hormones cause slower emptying of the intestinal contents.
  The feeling of fullness in the intestines can make you feel full even if you have not eaten for some time.

How to cure anorexia?

Identifying the causes of anorexia is the first step towards recovery.
Urine and blood tests may be preferred for diagnosis.
After the doctor’s examination, the treatment procedure for the cause is determined.
For example, antibiotics may be administered to the patient with infection, and antidepressants may be preferred for the treatment of depression.
In addition to these, the recommendations that can be used for the treatment of anorexia in general can be listed as follows:

• The patient’s blood values, which have fallen due to malnutrition, need to be taken under control.
  In this case, the patient may be administered vitamin and mineral supplements in injection or serum form.
  If the problem is not serious, tablets containing vitamins and minerals can be used upon doctor’s recommendation.
• The use of drugs that increase appetite, such as low doses of corticosteroids, may be used.
• When anorexia is experienced with nausea, anti-nausea medications and patches can be used.
• Liquid products can be preferred in the diet as they are easier to digest.
  Products such as soup and fruit juice can be added to the diet.
• By consuming foods rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, lost energy can be recovered faster.
• In order to combat anorexia caused by psychological problems, relaxation solutions such as yoga and sports may be preferred.
  Some patients may seek professional psychological help.
• Eating regularly and in small portions ensures that complaints of loss of appetite and nausea improve over time.
  Fatty and spicy foods should be avoided during this period.
  The patient’s favorite drinks and foods can be consumed.
• If the patient consumes soft and fiber-free foods, it helps to maintain digestion more easily.
  Faster emptying of the intestines may have an effect on restoring appetite.
• Engaging in a suitable sporting activity causes an increase in the energy expended.
  In this process, the amount of nutrients needed by the body increases and the feeling of hunger can be stimulated by hormone systems.

Frequently Asked Questions