Some days we don't feel like eating at all, right? We get bored with the sight of food, we don't feel hungry, and we even feel disgusted by the smell of food. If we have a day or two of this feeling of not being able to eat, it's not a big deal. But if this situation continues for more than a week, we should be a little concerned about it. Because it could be a sign of some change in our body or an underlying medical condition.
What exactly is anorexia?
Loss of appetite, or loss of appetite, is a condition in which you have no desire, interest, or hunger for food. Simply put, your body is not asking for food. This can be accompanied by several other symptoms.
- Fatigue and lethargy: It's normal to feel low when you don't eat.
- Nausea or vomiting: You may feel nauseous just thinking about food.
- Constipation or diarrhea: When the diet changes, the functioning of the intestines also changes.
- Changes in skin, hair, or nails: These changes can occur due to nutritional deficiencies.
- Weight loss: If you continue to have an appetite, you will lose weight.
Are Anorexia and Anorexia Nervosa the same thing?
There is a point where many people get confused here, so it is very important to understand this clearly.
Medically, we call anorexia a loss of appetite. This is a symptom. It means that you don't eat because you don't really feel hungry.
However, Anorexia Nervosa is a mental illness. It is an eating disorder. A person with this condition intentionally restricts their food intake even though they feel hungry due to an extreme fear of their body weight and shape. So you need to understand that these are two completely different conditions.
What can cause loss of appetite?
There is no single cause for loss of appetite. Physical, mental, underlying medical conditions, and even certain medications we take can all contribute to this. Let's break down these causes into categories.
| The field of causes | Examples |
|---|---|
| Physical reasons | Body aches, dehydration (lack of water in the body), dental problems, recovery time after an accident, and loss of taste and smell. |
| Mental and emotional reasons | Strong emotions such as stress, anxiety, depression, sadness, and fear. |
| Underlying medical conditions | Common cold, infections, cancer, diabetes, food poisoning, heart, lung, kidney or liver disease, hypothyroidism, HIV and AIDS. |
| Some medications | Some antibiotics, chemotherapy, some painkillers (Opioids), and other medications. |
When should we talk to a doctor about this?
It's okay to have a loss of appetite for a day or two. But if you have any of the following symptoms, you should definitely see your doctor.
Think of it like your body is giving you a signal. Don't ignore that signal. Especially if you suddenly lose weight along with a loss of appetite, it could be an early sign of a serious illness.
- If the loss of appetite persists for more than a week .
- If you suddenly lose weight for no apparent reason .
- If there are other symptoms such as extreme fatigue, lethargy, nausea, and rapid heartbeat along with loss of appetite.
At times like this, the doctor will perform blood tests or other tests, if necessary, to help find the exact cause.
Treatments for anorexia and things you can do at home
The treatment method depends on the cause of the loss of appetite.
- Treating the underlying disease: If the cause is an infection or other disease, treating it will automatically resolve the loss of appetite.
- Medication changes: If this condition is caused by a medication you are taking, your doctor may change the dosage or prescribe a different medication. Never stop or change your medication on your own.
- Appetite-stimulating medications: In some cases, your doctor may prescribe special medications (e.g., `Cyproheptadine`, `Megestrol`) to stimulate your appetite.
- Psychological counseling: If the cause is something like stress or depression, it is very important to seek counseling for that.
Okay, so what can we do at home until we see the doctor or while we receive treatment?
| What can be done at home | Description |
|---|---|
| A few small meals | If you can't eat a large plate of rice, eat small amounts 5-6 times a day. Even if you're not hungry, try to eat a little at the right time. |
| Liquid food | If you can't eat, drink something liquid like soup, nutritious fruit juice, or porridge. These can help you get the calories and nutrition your body needs. |
| Non-spicy, low-fat foods | Choose foods that are easy on the stomach, low in fat, spicy, and low in fat, such as boiled potatoes, sweet potatoes, vegetables, and rice pudding. These are less likely to cause stomach upset. |
| Meals with family/friends | When you eat with someone and talk while eating, you unconsciously feel like eating a little more than if you were eating alone. |
Let's also learn about food cravings during pregnancy.
It is very common to experience food cravings during the first trimester of pregnancy. This condition is caused by hormonal changes in the body and 'Morning Sickness' (morning sickness). Sometimes you may feel aversion to even the sight of your favorite foods. This is normal. However, if you are having such a hard time eating anything and your body is feeling weak, you should definitely inform your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Anorexia is a symptom that can be caused by a number of physical or psychological causes.
- If this condition lasts for more than a week or is accompanied by sudden weight loss, don't ignore it.
- It is important to see your doctor to determine the exact cause. When the cause is treated, the loss of appetite often goes away.
- During treatment, you may find relief by eating small meals several times a day, drinking fluids, and eating less spicy foods.
- Taking care of this is essential for your health, as persistent anorexia can lead to serious health problems such as malnutrition.
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