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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. These include:

• Eat several small meals daily, instead of large ones.

• 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.

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.

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