LOSS OF APPETITE

Appetite is a natural desire or need for food. The body must have a regular supply of food to work properly. A loss of appetite (also known as anorexia) may cause less food to be eaten or meals to be skipped.

Loss of appetite that occurs for a prolonged period of time may result in weight loss, muscle wasting, and impaired healing. The body may suffer from malnutrition and lack of energy.

Common causes of appetite loss include:

chronic illnesses
side effects of certain medicines
teeth and gum problems
chronic pain
depression and anxiety
dementia
infectious diseases such as mononucleosis or hepatitis
diseases that cause wasting, like cancer or AIDS and
eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa

There are many things you can do to help improve appetite. Follow these tips:

eat smaller, more frequent meals; eat slowly and relax one-half hour after eating
avoid cooking strong smelling foods (such as fish or cauliflower)
make sure food choices are nutritious
keep nutritious snacks like fresh fruits or granola available
keep food available that requires little energy to prepare and can be easily heated in the microwave, or eaten cold out of the refrigerator
avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages and
avoid aspirin and over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Seek medical evaluation if a loss of appetite results in weight loss or poor nutrition. Any unexplained appetite loss that lasts longer than a week could be a sign of a more serious problem.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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