Loss of appetite, clinically known as anorexia, means a reduced desire to eat. Anorexia can be confirmed if there is a weight loss of at least 25 per cent of the original body weight or the weight is 25 per cent below what is normal for the age and height. Mostly seen in the elderly, it can affect people of any age group.
Loss of appetite may not be serious as such but can lead to complications if the underlying condition is not promptly diagnosed and treated, as anorexia can be a manifestation of several serious clinical conditions.
Anorexia can be a symptom of:
- Tuberculosis;
- Hepatitis;
- Aids;
- Atypical pneumonia;
- Appendicitis;
- Lymes disease (bacterial infection spread by tick bites);
- Brain tumour;
- Cancers of colon, ovary, stomach and pancreas;
- Tonsillitis;
- Pharyngitis;
- Ulcerative gingivitis (infection of gum tissues);
- Pregnancy;
- Liver failure;
- Kidney failure;
- Congestive heart failure;
- Hypothyroidism;
- Addison’s disease (chronic adrenal insufficiency);
- Ulcerative colitis (inflammatory bowel disease);
- Crohn’s disease (inflammatory bowel disease);
- Dementia
- Alcohol abuse.
Psychological conditions:
- Anorexia nervosa (obsession od being thin to the point of self salvation);
- Depression and emotional disturbances;
- Anxiety;
- Phagophobia (fear of eating);
- Emetophobia (fear of vomiting).
Home Care:
- Practice stress relief measures;
- Maintain healthy dietary habits;
- Planning several small meals may help;
- Maintain pleasant atmosphere while eating;
- Keep a food diary (a record of what you eat and drink);
- Do moderate exercise;
- Prepare the patient’s favourite food to help stimulate appetite.
Consult a doctor if you have:
- Unintentional weight loss;
- Loss of appetite along with depression and alcohol abuse;
- Amenorrhoea (abnormal absence pf menstruation) in women and loss of sexual interest in males;
- Hypotention;
- Decreased heart rate;
- Peripheral cyanosis (blue tint in fingers or extremities due to inadequate circulation).
Investigation:
- Complete blood count and ESR;
- Liver and renal tests;
- Thyroid function test;
- Ultrasound scan of the abdomen;
- Barium enema;
- Sigmodoscopy (to check the large intestine);
- Colonoscopy;
- Urine drug screening.
Did You Know ?
- Women constitue 80-95% of anorexics;
- Chemo-therapy drugs and certain antibiotics are also known to cause anorexia;
- Ingestion of caffeine, cocaine and nicotine can cause anorexia;
- Anorexia is the third most common chronic illness affecting adolescents;
- Anorexia without any apparent cause is seen mainly in the elderly whereas anorexia nervosa is common teenage girls;
- Oestrogen and gastrointestinal hormone CCK-PZ cause reduction in food intake, leading to anorexia;
- Mortality rate associated with anorexia nervosa is 12 times higher than the death rate of all causes of death of women 15-24 years old.