Appetite is the desire to eat, and their loss is when a person experiences a reduction in the desire to eat, which occurs despite the calorie (energy) body core.
Alternative Names
Appetite loss of appetite; Loss of appetite
General considerations
Any illness can affect a previously hearty appetite. If the disease is treatable, the appetite should return when the condition is cured.
Loss of appetite can cause unintentional weight loss.
Depression in the elderly is a common cause of weight loss is not explained by other factors.
Common Causes
* Emotional upset, nervousness, loneliness, boredom, tension, anxiety, loss of a loved and depression
* Anorexia nervosa
* Acute and chronic infections
* HIV
* Pregnancy (first trimester)
* Cancer
* Hyperthyroidism
* Medications and street drugs
or chemotherapeutic agents
or amphetamines
Sympathomimetics including ephedrine or
or antibiotics
or preparations for cold and cough
or codeine
or morphine
or pethidine
or digitalis
Home Care
Protein and calorie intake can be increased by eating high-calorie, nutritious snacks or several small meals throughout the day. Liquid protein drinks may help.
The family members should try to give the patient their favorite foods to help stimulate the appetite.
You should keep a record of the diet consumed during the 24 hours a day, which is called a diet history. If a person with anorexia nervosa consistently exaggerates food intake, someone else should keep strict count calories and nutrients.
In cases of loss of appetite caused by medications, consult with your doctor about your change. Never stop taking medications without first talking to your doctor.
See also weight management.
Call your doctor if
A person should seek medical care if you’re losing a lot of weight without trying.
Note: To calculate the percentage of weight loss, divide the weight loss (in pounds) by your previous weight (in pounds) and multiply by 100.
For example, if a person weighing 125 pounds (58.7 kg) loses 10 pounds (4.7 kg), the calculation is:
* 10 divided by 125 = 0.08
* 0.08 x 100 = 8% weight loss
What to Expect at Your Office
The doctor will perform a physical exam, check your height and weight. Also, review the information about medical history and dietary factors, and ask questions in relation to decreased appetite, including:
* Quality:
or Is the decreased appetite severe or mild?
or How much weight have you lost?
* Time pattern
o Loss of appetite a new symptom?
o If so, does it start after an upsetting event such as death of a family member?
* What other symptoms are present?
Tests that may be performed to determine the cause of a decreased appetite may include:
* Barium enema, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy (if colon cancer suspected)
* Liver function tests
* Kidney function tests
* Thyroid function tests
* Abdominal ultrasound (if there is evidence of a specific abdominal cause)
* Upper GI
* Pregnancy test
* Toxicological analysis of urine
* Testing for HIV
* Complete blood count (CBC)
* ESR
In cases of severe malnutrition, nutrients are given through an intravenous line, which may require hospitalization.
Diet and Nutrition Consultation
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