Lack of appetite is generally not a health problem, among other things because nutritional needs vary from person to person, as well as their eating habits and lifestyle, which directly influence appetite.
However, when lack of appetite is accompanied by other symptoms, such as rapid weight loss, diarrhea and fever, for example, it is important to go to the doctor for tests to identify the cause of loss of appetite and thus, the best treatment can be started, also avoiding possible complications, such as malnutrition, for example.Learn about the health consequences of malnutrition.
Lack of appetite can have several causes, the main ones being
Depression and anxiety, for example, can decrease a person’s appetite and can even lead to weight loss. In addition to these psychological problems, anorexia can be considered one of the main causes of loss of appetite, as the person feels fat, has low self-esteem.-estimates and is afraid to eat, resulting in decreased appetite and weight loss.Learn more about anorexia.
What to do: In these cases, the best option is to seek help from a psychologist or psychiatrist so that depression, anxiety or anorexia can be treated, so the person can feel more willing to eat, for example.psychological counseling, it is important to have a nutritionist accompaniment to indicate a diet according to the general condition of the person and that it is able to stimulate appetite.
Most infections, whether bacterial, viral or parasitizing, have gastrointestinal symptoms, including lack of appetite.Learn about some symptoms of parasitic infection.
What to do: When there are symptoms related to infectious diseases, it is important to go to the infectious disease specialist or family doctor for testing to identify the cause of the infection, so that the case can be treated more appropriately.Started.
Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, neurological disorders and cancer, for example, can result in loss of appetite.In the case of cancer, for example, in addition to lack of appetite, there is rapid and unintentional weight loss and changes in urine, for example.Learn about the main symptoms of cancer.
What to do: It is important to go to your family doctor on suspicion of a chronic illness, so it is possible to identify the cause of loss of appetite and initiate proper treatment, avoiding complications and restoring the urge to eat.
Some medications have the side effect of decreased appetite, which is not very serious unless other symptoms appear that may interfere with a person’s quality of life.
What to do: If the loss of appetite associated with medication use interferes with a person’s daily activities, it is important to tell your doctor so that you can check the possibility of replacing the medicine with a medicine that does not have this effect.
The use of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and other drugs can also interfere with appetite and cause other health complications.
What to do: The best solution for these cases is to avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes, for example, because in addition to regulating your appetite, you avoid diseases, such as fatty liver and lung cancer for example. It is important to maintain healthy habits, engage in physical activities regularly, and maintain a balanced diet.
It is important to see your family doctor when, in addition to lack of appetite, other symptoms appear, including rapid weight loss, as this can lead to severe malnutrition.In addition to weight loss, it is important to consider whether an increase in heart rate, extreme fatigue, fever, irritability and hormonal changes, for example.
Your doctor usually recommends certain tests to identify the cause of your lack of appetite and start treatment.One way to stimulate appetite is to exercise and eat small amounts of food every two hours.
In addition, it is extremely important that the person seek the advice of a nutritionist who provides the necessary nutrients for the proper functioning of the body, depending on the level of loss of nutrients, the nutritionist may recommend the use of dietary supplements and the consumption of rich foods in B vitamins, like beans, nuts, and vegetables, for example, find out where to find each type of B vitamin.