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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 glandular fever 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 vegetables 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. Article #6431 Copyright (c) 2002 McKesson. All Rights Reserved. |
