Appetite is a natural physiological process, which is just as necessary for the normal functioning of the human body as the daily consumption of food. Loss of appetite and all kinds of rejection of food, or an acute aversion to familiar dishes and foodstuffs, is a sign of a pathological condition of the digestive system caused by a number of specific diseases, the wrong way of life of a particular person, disorders of the endocrine gland or mental disorders. The most dangerous is when the lack of appetite is associated with rapid weight loss. In this case, it is not excluded that the patient may experience an acute form of anorexia.

In order to establish the causal factor that influenced the lack of desire to eat, it is necessary to understand that almost always behind such a pathological behavior of the gastrointestinal organs there is a serious disease of the human digestive system, or a short-term malfunction of the internal organs.

These are common causes that can cause loss of appetite in adults, regardless of their social status, physical activity or work conditions. Most often, these factors are present in the life of active segments of the population. These are young people whose age ranges from 20 to 45 years.

Separate categories of patients are also distinguished, in which the causes of loss of appetite are the specifics of the course of physiological processes in the body.

In the elderly

This is a separate category of patients who have no appetite due to the fact that, due to senile age, there was a natural slowdown in metabolism in almost all cells and tissues of internal organs. The digestive system is no exception and also responds with a slow metabolism. As a result of this, an elderly person may not feel the urge to eat for a long period of time, but at the same time, the total body weight is within stable limits and practically does not change.

Also, the occurrence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which were described in the section of common causative factors, is not excluded.

In both the first and second cases, you will need to undergo a comprehensive examination of the body in order to avoid the development of much more serious complications, since a stable and rational diet in old age is the key to longevity.

Lack of appetite during pregnancy

In women who carry a child under their hearts, the appearance of indifference to food is most often caused by temporary malfunctions in the endocrine system, a surge or decrease in key sex and digestive hormones. Against this background, toxicosis appears, a negative reaction not only to previously beloved foods, but also to various kinds of pungent odors. In most cases, this condition is observed in pregnant women at different periods of the first trimester of pregnancy and soon disappears without the use of special medications.

What to do if there is no appetite - how to increase?

In order to stabilize the digestive system, you can use special biological additives to maintain the functionality of the digestive tract, or if much more serious pathologies are found, the doctor prescribes drugs with a specific action.

vitamins

The selection of a vitamin-mineral complex is based on what kind of symptoms were identified in the patient according to the results of the initial examination. Also, the type of drug largely depends on the degree of activity of the patient's lifestyle, the presence or absence of bad habits. Most often, adults who complain of loss of appetite are prescribed vitamin remedies such as:

If necessary, the attending gastroenterologist may decide to prescribe a different type of vitamin preparation to the patient with an additional content of one, two or more useful substances. Most of the medicines in this group are taken orally 1 time per day, 1 capsule. The approximate course of treatment is 20-30 days.

Tablets and special preparations

Tablets and other medicines of a certain spectrum of action are prescribed to a patient who complains of loss of appetite only if, according to the results of a comprehensive examination, it was found that the cause of the pathological condition in the work of the digestive tract is caused by the presence of a specific disease.

If patients have oncological neoplasms that disrupt the stable functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, chemical preparations are used, which are prescribed based on a previously developed scheme of therapeutic effects on a cancerous tumor. Depending on the identified pathology, other categories of medicines can be used.

Do I need to see a doctor and get tested?

The sudden disappearance of appetite for a short period of time, lasting no longer than 1 day, is not always a sign of any disease. It is possible that these are biochemical changes that are caused by physical overwork, an improperly formed diet, the use of drugs or alcohol.

If such a condition continues for 2-3 days and at the same time an acute desire to eat food does not return to the person, then in this case it is necessary to make an appointment with a gastroenterologist.

This is a specialized doctor whose duties include the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases of the digestive system. The specialist will perform a preliminary examination of the patient, and then offer to pass the following types of tests:

• clinical examination of blood taken from a finger;
• biochemical study of the composition of venous blood;
• general analysis of feces;
• x-ray of organs located in the chest cavity;
• electrocardiogram;
• morning urine passed on an empty stomach;
• gastroscopy of the stomach;
• endoscopic examination of the intestine.

If necessary, the attending physician may decide to prescribe to the patient the passage of other or additional diagnostic methods in order to obtain even more comprehensive information about the patient's state of health and establish the true cause of the lack of appetite.

Lack of appetite

Introduction

Lack of appetite in adults indicates a lack or decrease in the desire to eat, which can occur at any time in life. When there is a complete refusal of food, it is more correct to call this condition anorexia.

There are various reasons that can cause a decrease in the desire to eat, usually classified by:

• pathological
• psychosomatic,
• physiological,
• psychiatric,
• and genetic reasons.

Many diseases cause loss of appetite, which is often associated with:

• nausea,
• weight loss
• malnutrition.

In general, once the disease is cured (if curable), the appetite returns.

Lack of appetite in adults can also be due to certain anxiety or anxiety states, seasonal changes, psychiatric disorders (such as anorexia nervosa) or, to a lesser extent, genetic inheritance (often occurs in children than adults if there are parents who in turn suffered from anorexia).

Loss of appetite can affect all age groups:

• adults,
• elderly,
• children

and cause not only a loss of appetite and therefore weight, but also, if it persists for a long time, also a psychophysical deterioration in the condition of the victim.

In fact, you need to understand that eating is not just a moment of pleasure in a person’s life, but, most importantly, a vital act of survival: with the help of food, we supply our body with all the nutrients (vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and sugars). ), which, among other things, are indispensable sources of energy, allowing you to perform all the mental and physical activities of everyday life, such as walking, talking, thinking, memorizing, etc.

Causes

Among the many reasons for lack of appetite are:

• chronic;
• (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease);
• hepatitis;
• metabolic diseases;
• endocrine disorders;
• HIV (human immunodeficiency virus);
• pregnancy;
• fever
• infections:
  • (For example, );
  • respiratory tract (for example, and);
  • mouth and pharynx (for example,);
• toothache;
• taking medications;
• drug use;
• alcohol abuse;
• tumors;
• dementia;
• depression;
• anxiety;
• anorexia nervosa;
• food intolerance / ;
• recovery after surgery;
• exanthematic diseases (for example,);
• change of season, climate;
• insomnia and sleep disorders.

In pregnancy time lack of appetite develops mainly in the first trimester and is often due to morning sickness, which occurs in women waiting to wake up, and sometimes accompanies them during the day, reducing their desire to eat.

Even some physiological conditions, such as old age, may be associated with loss of appetite: especially in the case of elderly people left alone (death of a partner, separation of children or other family members), toothlessness, depression, those affected by dementia or other diseases that include the consumption of many drugs every day.

One of the typical symptoms tumors is a severe weight loss due to a decrease in appetite due to various conditions that can affect the neoplastic patient:

• Feeling sad or outright depressed after a cancer diagnosis
• the presence of pain;
• treatment (chemotherapy, radiation therapy).

Some types of cancer are more often associated with loss of appetite, such as the stomach, and.

Almost all medicines are considered to be a possible side effect of nausea or vomiting and therefore also cause loss of appetite or change the sense of taste, making food less enjoyable; e.g. chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, codeine, morphine.

On the other side, anorexia nervosa typical in most adolescents with, characterized by uncontrolled mania of their own weight and a distorted perception of their physical fitness. The cause has not yet been fully elucidated and is believed to be due to possible genetic factors, an imbalance in the hypothalamus or some neurotransmitters, conflicting mother-child relationships, and harsh parenting.

In the case of anorexia nervosa, lack of appetite is associated with pathological anorexic desire to lose weight, or rather, with the fear of gaining weight, which he struggles with daily in various ways: with severe restrictions on food intake, vomiting caused after meals, the use of laxatives, enemas and diuretics, intense physical activity.

dangers

Lack of appetite may be associated with a transient and reversible condition, and in these cases it should not cause serious concern, because it usually resolves in a short time with appropriate means. The affected person will regain the desire to eat and any weight loss, with no long-term effects or complications.

However, in cases where lack of appetite may be prolonged, it may be due to an organic disease, so it is necessary to identify and treat the disease with appropriate care to avoid the appearance of other more serious symptoms.

Among the main risks associated with a state of prolonged loss of appetite, one can single out the appearance of other symptoms, such as:

• feeling of general malaise;
• severe weight loss;
• slight irritability;
• increase in heart rate ();
• with iron deficiency;
• nutrient deficiency,
• state ;
• exhaustion even after light work;
• ketosis;
• decreased immune defense and the occurrence of infections;
• fever;
• growth retardation/weight loss (in children).

When to See a Doctor

It is always recommended to consult your family doctor when the lack of appetite continues for a long time, voluntary or not, without any clearly known cause and/or when it is associated with other symptoms such as:

• nausea;
• vomit;
• fever;
• dysentery (diarrhea with blood);
• taste changes;
• tachycardia;
• anxiety.

The doctor examines the general condition, paying particular attention to the weight and measurement of body weight obtained by calculating the BMI.

BMI (body mass index) is a simple parameter that relates a subject's height and weight and is calculated using the following formula:

• BMI = body weight (kg) / height 2 (in meters).

The result allows us to classify the person's problem into the following categories:

• severe thinness<16,5;
• underweight 16-18.49 g;
• normal weight 18.5-24.99 g;
• and so on for being overweight or obese.

The doctor also collects the patient's medical history (anamnesis) by asking him questions, for example:

• How long do you experience loss of appetite?
• Do you eat little or not at all? No desire to eat one kind of food?
• Are you stressed, depressed, nervous, for some reason?
• Do you have other illnesses such as nausea, pain, fever, fatigue, vomiting?
• Have you lost weight? If yes, how much and for how long?
• Are you taking medication?
• What diseases do you suffer from?

Finally, useful for proper diagnosis are:

• blood tests:
  • platelet analysis;
  • and ALT transaminase;
  • direct, indirect and total bilirubin;
  • HIV test;
  • marker for major viral hepatitis (HAV, HBV, HCV);
  • tumor markers;
  • analysis of electrolytes (sodium, chlorine, calcium);
  • creatinine;
  • azotemia;
  • whey proteins;
  • toxicological tests;
• food intolerance test (it is recommended to take only evidence-based approaches!);
• possible radiological studies (X-ray, ultrasound or, in some cases, CT or other more complex studies).

Therapy

In case of loss of appetite, it is important to introduce a number of measures aimed at increasing nutrient stores and regaining lost weight, for example:

• eat foods rich in calories and protein;
• take any nutritional supplements if prescribed by a doctor;
• small frequent meals are preferred if the 3 classic main meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner);
• keep a diary of what you eat and drink;
• to carry out regular physical activity, even a simple 30-minute walk at a fast pace will help.

Correction of the organic disease at the beginning of the state of lack of appetite is important if it is identified and feasible.

If lack of appetite in an adult caused by emotional distress, such as those associated with bereavement, a recent cancer diagnosis, or other dramatic events, some measures may be helpful, along with supportive psychological therapy. Here are some measures that can help your nutrition:

• eating with relatives or friends;
• visiting some favorite restaurants;
• change the diet, cook what you like;
• allow yourself to relax (hot and relaxing baths, yoga classes, hobbies).

Any food that causes intolerance or malabsorption (impaired absorption) should be excluded from the diet, and possible changes in medications or doses of drugs taken should be carefully evaluated: all this should be done exclusively by the doctor, and not by the patient.

Higher education (Cardiology). Cardiologist, therapist, functional diagnostics doctor. I am well versed in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system. Graduated from the academy (full-time), has a lot of work experience behind her.

Specialty: Cardiologist, Therapist, Doctor of Functional Diagnostics.

The normal functioning of the digestive system largely depends on the nervous system. Many diseases that are manifested by a violation of the digestion and absorption of food, originate in a worsened innervation of the gastrointestinal tract, and come from mental disorders. For example, anorexia - lack of appetite - may occur due to some disturbance in the mental environment. But there are other mechanisms that cause a decrease in the desire to consume food.

What is anorexia and bulimia

It is statistically difficult to determine the spread of the disease. One study found that 91% of women had dieted at least once, with 22% either permanently restricting their diet or dieting more than five times. In adolescents, these numbers are much higher (up to half of girls and up to a third of boys). As can be seen from the figures, this disease is very common, in addition, it has a fairly high mortality rate. But not all people with a lack of appetite or a decrease in it are diagnosed with anorexia.

Anorexia is a syndrome of pathological lack of appetite in conditions of the body's need for food. Primary occurs due to organic or mental diseases; secondary, or medicinal, occurs as a result of taking anorexigenic medications.

A partial decrease in the need for food cannot be assessed as anorexia. Even if a person has not eaten for a long time, he may not have such a desire without certain obvious reasons. Being enthusiastically engaged in some interesting business, a person does not notice how he misses one or even several meals. Such states are transient, they pass quite quickly, and after completing a long exciting work, a person remembers a natural need and hurries to satisfy it.

But also a partial drop in the craving for food occurs in pathology. Such a condition is not a criterion for any disease and often does not carry any consequences. Suffering from acute respiratory infections, patients complain of poor appetite and general fatigue. After treatment of the underlying disease, all symptoms disappear. There is some evidence that with VVD and some other autonomic disorders, changes in food intake may also appear.

Bulimia - binge eating and associated anxiety, which is usually followed by the use of various methods of weight loss: inducing vomiting, diarrhea (with the help of laxatives), fasting along with strenuous exercise. Self-esteem of patients is largely based on their figure and body weight.

Bulimia nervosa exists as an independent disease, but is often a symptom of other diseases. These can be endocrine pathologies, mental disorders, organic disorders of the central nervous system. These pathologies can also cause anorexia.

Causes

Complete loss of appetite is often found in a variety of pathologies, may occur due to the mental state of a person. With a lowered mood after an event, an aversion to food temporarily arises - this is not a symptom of the disease and should pass soon. There are also mental traumas that for a long time do not allow a person to live normally, depress mood and partly manifest themselves as anorexia or bulimia.

Main reasons:

• mental;
• hormonal;
• malignant tumors;
• acute infections;
• neurological disorders;
• medical.

Most acute infectious diseases are accompanied by a drop in appetite up to anorexia in both children and adults. Together with general fatigue, lethargy, weakness, they constitute the symptoms of intoxication of the body. Some time after an adequate course of treatment and release of the body from toxins, the main signs of the disease (cough, nasal discharge, sore throat - depending on the disease) disappear along with the intoxication syndrome, and craving for food appears. Usually, patients going to recovery feel even increased appetite. This happens due to the fact that the body needs more nutrients to restore functions.

Hormonal disorders are a common cause of loss of appetite in women. During pregnancy, the hormonal background changes and old tastes can change, new ones appear, the urge to eat increases or decreases. Pregnant women complain that they have lost their appetite, nausea and aversion to food. In addition to pregnancy, such symptoms are manifested in some endocrine diseases.

Malignant tumors have a significant impact on the general condition of the body. Due to the abundant intake of tumor decay products into the blood, severe intoxication occurs. The usual symptoms of oncology are weakness, fatigue, change or complete lack of appetite.

The symptom appears after taking certain psychotropic drugs. These are drugs that directly affect the craving for food - anorexigens, or others, the side effects of which include eating disorders - hormone antagonists, antidepressants, psychostimulants.

What to do

It is not always easy to determine the cause, because the symptom is not pathognomonic, that is, it does not directly indicate any disease. Having certain health complaints, it is worth undergoing a preventive examination. If it is not clear which specialist is needed, it is better to go to a general practitioner or general practitioner.

To the question: "No appetite, the reasons for an adult?" there are many answers.

Nutrient deficiencies are a must affect not only well-being, but also health. Therefore, it is necessary to solve the problem of their absence as soon as possible. How to increase appetite and why did it disappear?

The difference between hunger and appetite

Before diagnosing loss of appetite, you should understand this concept. Appetite is often confused with hunger, a reflex that occurs when there is no food.

The mechanism for the development of hunger is triggered by a decrease in glucose levels, due to which a signal is sent to the centers of the brain. At the time of the onset of a hungry spasm, a person has active salivation, the sense of smell improves and a pulling sensation “in the pit of the stomach” appears.

All these symptoms help a person feel hungry and go in search of food. At the same time, he has no desire to eat certain foods, he is ready to eat any dish.

The manifestation of hunger, in which a person desires certain foods, is called appetite. This feeling is influenced by many factors: time of day, country of residence, taste preferences, emotional state.

Violation of habitual taste needs, when a person does not want food at all, is called a decrease in appetite. This condition leads to anorexia and other problems.

Associated symptoms

The brain signals that the body needs to eat. It contains neurons that carry a signal to the digestive organs.

In the body of an individual experiencing a feeling of hunger, increased insulin levels and there is an active production of gastric juice. The absence of hungry urges indicates that the brain is working on other needs. Reduced appetite - protection against certain diseases of the digestive system.

There are symptoms that often accompany a person in the absence of appetite. Nausea, weakness - the most famous of them. Thanks to these signs, it is easier for doctors to determine the cause of the loss of appetite.

Causes of loss of appetite

All the reasons due to which appetite disappears can be divided into two categories: pathological and non-pathological.

Pathological causes

Most often, poor appetite in adults indicates a disease.

To forget about problems with appetite, you need professional help.

Pathological causes of decreased appetite include:

1. Intestinal dysbacteriosis. Beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms take part in the processes of digestion. If their balance is disturbed, the body does not receive the necessary trace elements from food.
2. endocrine problems. Lack of hormones leads to nausea and vomiting. As a result, the person becomes weak and loses his appetite.
3. Chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Similar symptoms indicate a stomach ulcer, gastritis,. At the first signs of an exacerbation of the disease, preventive treatment should be taken.
4. Mental problems, neuroses. High workload, stress, lack of rest and moral support lead to apathy, depression. These problems are often accompanied by weakness, nausea, fatigue, and lack of appetite.
5. body intoxication. Harmful bacteria can provoke intoxication, as a result of which a person will feel weak and disgusted with food.
6. Cardiovascular diseases. The deterioration of blood vessels provokes a general weakness of the body, and high blood pressure causes nausea.
7. Drug addiction. The need for constant medication makes the gastrointestinal tract work hard. Because of this, gastritis, an ulcer, and pathology of the pancreas may appear.
8. Oncology. During the period of chemotherapy, a failure occurs in many processes, especially in the work of the digestive organs.
9. Viruses and infections in the body. With illness, there is often a significant decrease in appetite, as forces are directed to the fight against viruses. To prevent a large amount of toxins from leading to weakness and nausea, you should maintain water balance, namely, drink plenty of fluids.

Non-pathological causes

Natural causes cause a situation in which a person refuses to eat.

They do not depend on any disease, as they arise due to external pathogenic factors.

Distinctive features of non-pathological causes:

• the duration of the symptoms does not exceed 4-5 days, then the increase in appetite occurs independently;
• no need for medical care, medication;
• no negative impact on health;
• symptoms recur no more than once a month;
• loss of appetite does not lead to sudden weight loss.

The list of non-pathological causes includes the following conditions:

1. Menstruation. During this period, the female body is particularly susceptible to the influence of hormones. A sharp increase in the level of estrogen and progesterone provokes weakness, loss of appetite. At the end of the cycle, abdominal cramps and headaches are often added to these symptoms.
2. Binge eating. Lack of proper nutrition during the day leads to an increase in appetite at night. The organs of the gastrointestinal tract were not subjected to stress all day, therefore, in the evening, when preparing the body for sleep, the food consumed can cause poor sleep, nausea and vomiting. All this will lead to a decrease in appetite.
3. Prolonged fasting. If a person voluntarily refuses to eat, it can cause nausea and weakness. Since food does not get in for a long time, the produced secret negatively affects the mucous membrane, irritating it. In the absence of food, working capacity decreases and weakness and loss of strength appear.

Diagnosis of poor appetite

Normal life is ensured by balance, which is the alternation of hunger and appetite. Violation of the normal state for any reason leads to a decrease in appetite, and then a feeling of hunger.

Eating high-calorie foods can increase the time between the desire to eat up to 4-5 hours.

However, if hunger does not come for more than 8 hours, this is a signal that problems have appeared in the body.

A decrease in blood glucose levels will cause dizziness, weakness, loss of strength.

To diagnose the cause that caused the loss of appetite, you should consult a doctor. He will prescribe a complete examination of the body, including the delivery of tests. If a woman has a problem with appetite, pregnancy should be excluded first.

Video - How to get better when there is no appetite?

What can increase your appetite

The causes that provoked a decrease in appetite and were identified during the diagnosis are eliminated by therapeutic methods. Parallel doctors advise the patient to adhere to the following recommendations:

1. Follow a meal schedule. You need to eat several times a day in small portions. Dinner should be no later than three hours before bedtime. Eating daily at a certain time will contribute to the production of saliva, prepare the body for the absorption of food.
2. Food should be chewed slowly, without being distracted by extraneous stimuli (TV, computer). You should apply an attractive serving, work on a beautiful design of dishes.
3. Food should be tasty and varied.
4. When fighting poor appetite, it is very important to observe the daily routine: sleep for at least eight hours, do not forget about rest. Mild physical activity is encouraged, as sport stimulates the urge to eat.
5. Stress, conflict situations, bad emotions should be avoided.
6. In order for the digestive juice to be produced more actively, you need to eat foods that stimulate this process, for example, pickled and salty dishes. Spices, spicy seasonings, herbs, sour berries, foods high in vitamins B and C, decoctions and infusions of bitter herbs contribute to an increase in appetite.

Loss of appetite in old age

Lack of need for food and persistent loss of appetite may occur in the elderly. Retirees often limit themselves to healthy and nutritious food due to financial problems. In addition, it weakens with age, or diarrhea begins, the work of receptors worsens. The body begins to digest food poorly.

The above factors affect appetite. To avoid problems with the work of the gastrointestinal tract, you need to increase the number of easily digestible foods. The menu should include stewed vegetables, cereals, fish, lean meats. Older people should avoid fatty and fried foods, not eat large portions and, if necessary, use a blender to grind food.

How to increase your child's appetite

Adults often have a problem feeding the baby because of his refusal to eat. To increase your child's appetite, you can take the following steps:

• make a diet that is optimally suited to the age and characteristics of the child;
• follow the diet;
• spend several hours a day outdoors;
• include outdoor games and sports in the daily routine;
• attractively decorate children's dishes;
• add fruits and dried fruits to cereals;
• do not force-feed the child;
• do not overfeed the baby;
• reduce the number of snacks on cookies and other floury dishes;
• place small portions on a plate.

If the lack of appetite lasts for several days, you should not independently look for the cause and carry out treatment. The specialist will quickly determine what the decrease in appetite is due to and prescribe medications to enhance it.

Decrease or lack of appetite (anorexia) is a common symptom characteristic of infectious, oncological, mental, endocrine pathologies and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Reasons for lack of appetite

Appetite - the need to eat, gradually turning into a feeling of hunger. Despite the banality of this definition, behind it lies the most complex mechanism responsible for the regulation of the energy balance in the human body. It includes several levels: the nuclei of the hypothalamus, the brain stem, the pleasure center, which send and receive signals through biologically active substances. The source of the latter can be adipose tissue, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, endocrine glands. They produce hormones that regulate appetite.

Thus, a decrease in the blood level of insulin, a hormone of the pancreas, leads to an increase in appetite (the phenomenon of an insulin crisis). Leptin is a hormone produced in adipose tissue. High concentrations of leptin in the blood lead to an increase in body weight due to fat. During starvation, the level of leptin in the blood plasma decreases, while there is a mobilization of fat and its splitting, a feeling of hunger appears.

Another hormone, ghrelin, which is produced in the lining of the stomach and intestines of a hungry person, tells the central nervous system that the gastrointestinal tract is ready to eat. The higher its level in the blood, the more you want to eat. Immediately after a meal, its plasma concentration begins to decline, reflecting the intake of nutrients.

There are many similar hormones and hormone-like substances involved in the regulation of food requirements. The presence of diseases that can disrupt these connections is a potential cause of loss of appetite. The most striking example of such a pathology is anorexia in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Victims of anorexia refuse to eat until the body is completely exhausted. Studies aimed at studying the causes of this disease have revealed that with anorexia, almost all parts of the mechanism that regulates appetite are affected. That is why anorexia nervosa is difficult to treat.

There are other types of eating disorders that are also associated with dysregulation of appetite (bulimia, psychogenic overeating, psychogenic vomiting).

Predisposing factors for poor appetite

Appetite is also affected by other factors associated or unrelated to any disease:

• Taking medications;
• Psychological problems, severe stress (loss of appetite with depression);
• Medical procedures and manipulations;
• The situation when eating;
• Certain physiological conditions (loss of appetite during pregnancy);
• The quality and appearance of food (food can be disgusting if there are negative associations);
• Alcohol abuse, drug addiction.

Diagnosis of Appetite Disorders

The identification and evaluation of loss of appetite is hampered by the fact that there are no specific criteria that allow us to consider the need for food intake as an unambiguous sign of disorders. Individual characteristics vary significantly from person to person and depend on gender, age, profession, sports, bad habits and hormonal status. For example, older people cope with hunger more easily and maintain a sense of satiety for longer. Individuals who exercise intensively or moderately are more likely to feel hungry/unsatisfied with food intake. When diagnosing, these differences must be taken into account.

Patients themselves may not complain that they have lost their appetite, especially if the cause lies in depression / the consequences of severe stress / psychological problems. In such cases, close relatives pay attention to reducing food intake. Questionnaires or questionnaires are widely used for an objective assessment of appetite.

Pronounced symptoms of the underlying disease, such as fever, pain, diarrhea, in themselves imply the absence of the need to eat. In such cases, the diagnosis of appetite disorders is usually not required, since a bright clinic will not allow one or another serious disease to be missed.

Another thing is pathologies in which lack of appetite is the only symptom. Incorrect assessment can lead to late diagnosis and complications. An example is the notorious anorexia nervosa. In most cases, pathology is detected by relatives and friends already in the presence of pronounced changes, when body weight is significantly reduced.

Common diseases accompanied by lack of appetite (pathology + code in accordance with the international classification of diseases ICD-10):

• Anorexia nervosa F50;
• Depression F30;
• Anxiety disorders F40;
• Acute stress disorder F43.0;
• Bipolar disorder F31;
• Dependence on drugs F10;
• Deficiency of thyroid hormones E03.9;
• Tuberculosis A15;
• Infectious mononucleosis B27;
• Brucellosis A23;
• Viral hepatitis B15, B16, B17;
• HIV infection B23.0, acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS B24;
• Gastric cancer C16;
• Lung cancer C33;
• Liver cancer C22;
• Pancreatic cancer C25;
• Hodgkin's lymphoma C81;
• Iron deficiency anemia D50.9;
• Gastric ulcer K25;
• Duodenal ulcer K26;
• Gallstone disease K80.

The minimum necessary examination for a pathological decrease in the need for food:

• General blood test with leukoformula;
• General blood analysis;
• Blood chemistry;
• Analysis of feces;
• Analysis of urine;
• chest X-ray;
• electrocardiography;
• Therapist's consultation.

Warning signs associated with lack of appetite

loss of appetite during pregnancy

Dizziness, nausea and vomiting in pregnant women in the first trimester is often accompanied by a lack of appetite. In most women, these symptoms are mild or moderate. However, in severe cases, with frequent vomiting that makes it impossible to eat, serious complications can occur that threaten the health of the mother and child. Loss of more than 5% of the mass due to dehydration, violation of the water-salt and electrolyte balance in pregnant women can lead to pulmonary embolism, acute renal failure, impaired blood coagulation with the risk of disseminated intravascular coagulation. In such cases, immediate hospitalization in the department of pathology of pregnant women, consultation of an obstetrician-gynecologist is required.

Loss of appetite in a child aged 0 to 3 years

Newborns and infants, as well as children of preschool age, have a good appetite due to their intensive metabolism. For this reason, lack of appetite should be regarded as a significant symptom, regardless of age.

Lack of appetite or refusal to breastfeed in newborns can be due to various reasons - from banal intestinal colic to a serious illness. If there are additional symptoms, such as drowsiness, lethargy, cyanosis of the skin, convulsions, high fever, urgent medical attention should be sought.

Loss of appetite in an adult

The lack of need for food intake, combined with a sharp unreasonable decrease in body weight, is an alarming sign. The cause may be serious diseases, such as tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, HIV infection, tuberculosis, cirrhosis of the liver. In the presence of additional symptoms, such as insomnia, mood swings, irritability, depression, bipolar disorder, suicidal thoughts should be suspected.

Loss of appetite in the elderly

In the elderly and senile age, the need for food intake is significantly reduced due to a decrease in the intensity of metabolism. Despite this, there is no weight loss. For this reason, an abnormal decrease in food requirements in elderly people with weight loss is also a sign of pathology.