Loss of Appetite
Hunger is your body’s signal that it needs fuel. The brain and gut work together to give you
the feeling of hunger. If you don’t feel
like eating, a number of things can cause this dip in appetite, such as
medications, emotions, or health issues.
Stress
When you get stressed, your body reacts as if it’s in
danger. The brain releases chemicals,
including adrenaline, making your heart beat faster as it slows down
digestion. It curbs your appetite as a
fight-or-flight response happens, albeit, lasting only a short time. If you’re stressed for long periods of time,
your body releases a hormone called cortisol, that makes you hungrier,
especially high-calorie foods.
Medications
Many medications have appetite loss as a side effect. Some common medications with this side effect
are antibiotics, antifungals and muscle relaxants. Drugs to treat depression, migraines, high
blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Parkinson’s disease
can also affect hunger. If your haven’t
been eating, check with your doctor to see if any medications you are taking
are causing the problem.
Cold or Flu
Releases in chemicals called cytokines make you tired and
not eager to eat. It is your body’s way
of telling you to rest so it can get the energy you need to fight what’s making
you sick. Not to mention, eating
something gives your immune system a boost.
Try a bowl of chicken soup as research shows it helps with inflammation,
and make you feel better.
Pregnancy
You’re supposed to be eating for two, but you don’t feel
like eating? It is because moms-to-be
battle nausea, especially during the first trimester (morning sickness) which can
strike at any time during the day. Try eating
easy-to-digest foods like crackers or dry toast to calm queasiness. You can also try smaller meals and snack more
often as an empty stomach can make things worse.
Hypothyroidism
Thyroid hormones help control how the body turns food to
energy. If the gland doesn’t make
enough, the body functions slow down, and the result is you use less energy and
your hunger dips. Because you’re not
burning many calories, you may gain weight.
Your doctor can test you for this condition, and if it’s a problem, he
may give you a thyroid hormone to speed things up again.
Migraine
A pounding headache can be enough to lose your
appetite. But migraines can also cause
nausea and vomiting, and you may not feel like eating after it goes away. A dip in hunger is common a day or two after
a migraine. Medications can help prevent
or treat when you have them.
Anemia
Anemia happens when the body doesn’t make enough healthy red
blood cells. Their job is to carry
oxygen throughout the body. If you don’t
have enough, you may feel tired or weak with little appetite. Symptoms of anemia are chest pain or
headaches. Your doctor can give you a blood
test to see if your anemic. If you are
anemic, he may recommend iron or vitamin B12 supplements.
Cancer
A lack of appetite is a common side effect for cancer and
its treatments, radiation and chemotherapy, as are nausea, pain and
dehydration. Even a change in the way
foods taste and smell can give you a loss of appetite. Talk to your doctor if you have a hard time
eating enough at mealtime. You may need
to have 6-8 smaller meals a day.
Aging
30% of older people have a smaller appetite than they did
when they were younger. As you age,
digestion slows, and you feel fuller longer. Your sense of smell, taste and vision may also
get weaker as well, making foods less appealing. Hormonal changes, chronic illnesses and
medications can also curb your hunger. It
is important to talk with your doctor to help figure out what is going on.
Diabetes
If not managed well, high levels of blood sugar can damage
the nerves in your body. One may be the
vagus nerve, which controls your stomach muscles. When this nerve doesn’t work like it should,
food doesn’t move through the gastrointestinal tract quickly. Called gastroparesis, it causes a loss of
appetite and bloating. It can be treated
with changes in diet, medication or surgery.
Stomach Bug
Nausea, diarrhea and cramps are all symptoms of a stomach
bug called gastroenteritis. It is a
virus, or bacteria, a parasite that infects the stomach and intestines. The chances are the last thing you will feel
is eating. Once nausea goes away, eat
bland foods like banans, rice or toast at first. Also drink plenty of fluids to make sure you
stay hydrated.
Stomach Disorders
When eating leads to nausea, diarrhea, bloating or stomach
pain, your appetite takes a nose dive. This
happens when you have stomach
disorders. The most common is Irritable
Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a chronic condition of the large intestine. Colitis and Crohn’s disease are more serious
illnesses which can trigger the same symptoms.
If you are having any of these symptoms, see your doctor.
Depression
For some people, depression leads to cravings and weight
gain. But others, it may have the
opposite effect. Depression triggers the
brain to release more of the hormone, corticotropin, a releasing factor
(CRF). This can make you less
hungry. If you have severe depression,
you may lose interest in cooking or eating.
With a change in appetite comes a change in mood—it is important to talk
with your doctor.
Concussion
A concussion, a mild form of traumatic brain injury, can
cause dizziness, headaches or nausea. In
some cases, you may lose your sense of smell, which may make food less
appealing. If you think you may have a
concussion, see your doctor. He can find
out for sure. If it is not serious, he
may tell you things to do to help you feel better faster, like getting plenty
of rest.
No comments:
Post a Comment