What to do if you lose your appetite? Lack of appetite in an adult: causes and methods of treatment Why poor appetite in an adult

To understand the cause of poor appetite, it would be good to know when this very appetite comes to us. This sensation depends on enzymes and gastric juice. When the required level of these substances accumulates in the stomach, a person begins to want to eat. Judging from the opposite, a person loses his appetite when enzymes and gastric juice are poorly produced or not produced at all. It also happens that bile is thrown into the stomach from the liver, and it suppresses the acidity of the stomach and thereby suppresses appetite.

Sometimes loss of appetite is caused by overindulgence in foods rich in saturated fats or sweets.. Smoking and alcohol can also reduce appetite in some people. Heredity plays a big role in the amount of food eaten, so sometimes “little people” fall into the category of people with poor appetite. And in some cases, the cause of decreased appetite cannot be determined. Most likely, it will be in the field of psychosomatics.

Causes of poor appetite

First of all, appetite may decrease or disappear due to serious diseases of the cardiovascular system, chronic liver diseases, kidney infections and hepatitis. Another reason for this phenomenon is inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, in particular the intestines, as well as cancer of the stomach and colon. With acute respiratory diseases, flu and colds, this can also happen, because it is with these diseases that the body wants to direct all its strength to fight the disease. Another group of diseases that occur with loss of appetite: diabetes mellitus, decreased levels of thyroid hormone, and endocrine problems. Disorders of the immune system, psyche and nervous system can also be accompanied by an aversion to food.

Sometimes the reason for lack of appetite lies in. If there are signs such as poor sleep, lethargy and nervousness, this may be due to a lack of vitamin B1. An organism that does not receive vital substances, microelements and vitamins simply refuses poor food - this can be called self-defense.

In addition, loss of appetite can occur due to medications such as anesthetics, antibiotics, diabetes medications, and chemotherapy.

How to get your appetite back

If the loss of appetite is not caused by serious illnesses, then you can try to correct this situation. First, you can increase the acidity of your stomach juices with foods that help produce digestive enzymes and stimulate your appetite. This includes hot seasonings, for example, horseradish, mustard, pepper, as well as herbs (greens). Juices of plantain, garden cabbage, infusions of bison grass and St. John's wort will also help.

The correct combination of dishes during meals and their proper distribution will also help improve your appetite.. For example, contrary to tradition, the meal should begin with the second course, and soup should be eaten ten minutes after the second course. Then the gastric juice that is in the stomach will not be diluted with liquid soup, and it will be easier for it to digest solid food. You can also slightly acidify the food with vinegar or salt well.

Cooking for a person who has a poor appetite must follow certain rules. So, it is better to fill the cereal with water and keep it like that for a while, and then just cook it. Do not cook the meat and potatoes completely, leave them as if undercooked or undercooked. It’s better to cook the fish longer.

You can include mini meals and nutritious snacks that are rich in protein in the diet of a person with poor appetite. Or try drinks containing high amounts of protein. Another option is to take yeast supplements that include vitamin B. Green vegetable salads with plenty of them (especially those containing zinc) can also restore lost appetite.

To increase appetite, decoctions and infusions of herbs are sometimes prescribed who drink half an hour before meals. These remedies will help stimulate appetite, which has disappeared during psycho-emotional disorders and stress. These are healing teas made from chamomile, peppermint, lemon balm or dill. They put the nervous system in order, and at the same time interest in food returns.

Signs of poor appetite

How to determine whether loss of appetite is caused by a serious reason or is it a temporary phenomenon? Let's look at the points:

• Loss of appetite is accompanied by weight loss, this process occurs gradually and steadily. These signs may indicate the presence of serious diseases and you need to go to the clinic for examination. Sometimes the cause can be determined by a blood or urine test. These indicators can identify liver disease, diabetes or hormonal imbalance. A urine test can help identify an infection in the kidneys. A chest x-ray can check your lungs for pneumonia and other illnesses. An ultrasound will help check the abdomen and also examine the function of the liver, kidneys and thyroid gland.

• If a person is sick and has lost his appetite, it is better not to force himself to eat. We know that some people cure such diseases much faster with the help of fasting. The fact is that the body spends a lot of energy on digesting food. Illness is an additional burden, which means additional energy is needed. So the body refuses food in order to direct all its strength to fight the disease. Here you can remember wise animals who refuse food and even drink when unwell.
• Severe stress can also cause loss of appetite. During stress, the walls of the esophagus spasm, the body understands that food simply will not pass into it, and refuses it. In this case, you need to overcome the effects of stress by any means and try to eat liquid food. Gradually, the body will understand that nothing threatens it, and it can safely accept any food. But if such stresses are repeated frequently or a person constantly lives amid them, then the problem may turn out to be chronic. A favorite activity, walks in nature (preferably near water), meditative music, a massage or a bath will help you get rid of stress. Everyone can also find their own way. However, the most effective way is to get rid of the source of stress.
• Lack of a clear or at least some kind of daily routine, full breakfasts and lunches can throw the body off rhythm and worsen appetite. Eternal snacking on sandwiches, coffee and a cigarette can stress the entire digestive system, and it will refuse food. Indulge yourself at least sometimes with home-cooked dinners, so as not to completely forget what a good appetite and healthy intestines are.
• The desire to lose weight and following various diets can cause psychological aversion to food. This is already a problem in the field of medicine and psychiatry, and it is not easy to overcome. Therefore, we need to understand why we need this or that diet, and love ourselves for who we are. And don’t walk around the clinic looking for lost appetite. After all, even famous models who shone on the catwalk for many years could not always cope with this problem and died from anorexia.

Anyway, Whatever the reason for loss of appetite, you cannot put up with it. A lack of nutrients, vitamins and minerals can ultimately lead to depletion of the body and new diseases. Therefore, it is simply necessary to find out the reason and get rid of it.

Situations when a person notices that he is haunted by a constant feeling of hunger are not so rare. But he does not always connect the causes of this condition with malfunctions in the body. The feeling of hunger is controlled by the nutrition center in the cerebral cortex. This center is connected to the organs of the digestive system through the endings of the nervous system. And if certain disturbances occur in the body, they can lead to a malfunction of this system. What causes a constant feeling of hunger, and what needs to be done if a strong feeling of hunger does not disappear, will be discussed in this article.

What are the symptoms of constant hunger?

The desire to eat appears at the moment when the first impulses begin to emanate from the stomach. If a person is healthy, then the desire to eat does not appear until several hours after eating. First, the stomach is compressed by short spasms, which are repeated again after a break. When a certain period of time passes - usually about half an hour - the spasms become constant, and the person perceives them more acutely. A feeling of “sucking in the pit of the stomach” appears, and the stomach rumbles. More acute sensations that appear later are described by people something like this: “My stomach hurts, as if I’m hungry.”

Doctors note that hunger is more painful for people who have high blood sugar. However, if hunger cramps appear almost immediately after eating, then the cause of this phenomenon can only be determined by a specialist after conducting all the necessary research. After all, we can talk about both organic and psychological disorders.

However, in the modern world people eat depending on emotions, and not on the feeling of hunger. That is, the process of eating is rather determined by the desire to enjoy something tasty, and not to satisfy hunger. Therefore, many people rarely experience a natural feeling of hunger.

And if the natural desire to eat is felt several hours after a meal, then the consequence of a failure of physiological processes is the desire to eat almost immediately after a person has eaten.

The feeling of hunger begins to bother a person at the moment when a signal about a lack of energy reserves comes from the stomach to the brain. This is a reaction that protects the body from exhaustion.

If a person is healthy, then this chain of reactions looks like this:

• the brain receives an impulse about the need to replenish energy reserves;
• the body receives the necessary amount of nutrition;
• the next impulse arrives in the brain, signaling that saturation has occurred;
• after eating, the feeling of hunger disappears.

But provided that you constantly want to eat, we are talking about the fact that one of the links in this chain is broken. And if you do not determine in a timely manner why hunger does not go away, and do not carry out the correct treatment, then the patient’s well-being will worsen. Besides, he is in danger.

There are many conditions in which a person constantly painfully wants to eat:

• Hyperrexia - in this state, you constantly want to eat; when eating, a person cannot get enough, but the body does not experience a physiological need to replenish its supply of nutrients.
• – hunger is a concern due to too active production of the enzyme by the thyroid gland.
• A number of stomach diseases - with gastritis with high acidity.
• Too much mental stress.
• Hormonal imbalance.
• Development of psychological dependence.
• Increased physical activity, as a result of which a person loses a lot of energy.
• Significant dietary restrictions.
• Protracted, constant stress.
• Irregularities of the monthly cycle.
• Intense thirst.
• Improper nutrition.

Conditions in which you constantly want to eat

• With pathologies of the central nervous system, almost constant irritation of the hunger center can occur. In this case, an integrated approach to treatment is required, and it should be carried out by a qualified specialist.
• When there are disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system, the feeling of hunger is associated with hormonal imbalance. The hormone - the so-called satiety hormone - in optimal quantities ensures a normal effect on the energy, metabolic and neuroendocrine reactions of the body. With its excessive or insufficient production, disturbances occur, leading to a constant feeling of hunger and other unpleasant symptoms.
• A deficiency of certain vitamins can also provoke an uncontrollable desire to eat. Lack of a number of vitamins, especially those related to group B , leads to deterioration of the condition of the skin, nails, hair, and also leads to increased pain. When there is a desire to replenish the supply of nutrients, so the person wants to eat.
• An indomitable appetite often manifests itself in those who adhere to. Simple carbohydrates are the main food for the brain. As a result, their absence leads to a lack of brain nutrition, which affects the body as a whole. The brain constantly requires replenishment of such a deficiency, and during a low-carbohydrate diet, those losing weight feel intense hunger and crave sweets.
• Increased appetite may be associated with a fall glucose in the blood, which occurs in connection with a number of physiological or psychological problems. If an imbalance of glucose and insulin occurs over a long period of time, it can lead to the development of diabetes. And the constant desire to eat something leads in such a situation to the development of obesity, which is also a harbinger of diabetes.
• Sudden changes in diet associated with the transition to a diet, healthy eating, etc., cause a restructuring of the digestive system, which, in turn, can cause a feeling of hunger.
• This also happens with significant restrictions in the amount of food. It is quite natural that, without receiving enough food, a person feels hungry. In such a situation, it is recommended to eat as little and as often as possible.
• If a person is regularly stressed, this can also lead to a persistent desire to eat a lot. When the nervous system is excited, there may be a desire to “eat” stress. If you constantly follow it, persistent “stress-eating” connections may arise, which will subsequently require the help of a psychologist.
• Attacks of unreasonable appetite also appear during increased mental stress. People engaged in heavy mental work very often eat chaotically, without adhering to a regimen at all. Instead of full meals, they eat snacks. As a result, this leads to a desire to eat within a few minutes after the next snack. To break the vicious circle, you will have to establish a clear diet with four full meals and no snacking on unhealthy foods. If you want to kill your hunger with something, fruits or dried fruits are suitable.
• Often adhering to a variety of diets, a person “tunes” the body to a food shortage regime. But the body constantly demands to replenish reserves, and, as a result, the person losing weight is bothered by the constant desire to eat. To avoid this, it is necessary to practice a complete healthy eating system, rather than short-term diets.
• If there is a lack of certain substances in the body, the feeling of hunger can also appear almost constantly. We are talking about vitamins and microelements. For example, you may crave sweets due to magnesium deficiency. In this case, it is necessary to conduct medical research and adjust the diet so as to compensate for the lack of substances.
• In women, attacks of uncontrollable appetite may appear during the period. A couple of days before the start of menstruation, many women have an irresistible desire to eat something and does not disappear even after the woman has had a snack. This symptom is associated with a lack of hormone in the body. These days it is recommended to eat less baked goods and sweets. It is also important to drink a lot of water and eat fruits and vegetables.

Pregnancy and hunger

During this period, a global restructuring of the female body occurs. At the same time, very sharp changes in hormonal levels occur, as a result of which many expectant mothers feel an indomitable appetite.

However, the expectant mother should know that an increased appetite may signal a lack of vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, etc. in her body. Therefore, it is very important to take care of the most balanced diet - with a sufficient amount of vegetables and fruits. You also need to take vitamin complexes. Walking in the fresh air will also help. If a pregnant woman constantly wants to eat, this will lead to excessive food consumption and gaining extra pounds. And excess weight gain is unsafe for both mother and baby.

Nausea and increased appetite

If the desire to eat is accompanied by constant nausea, this may be due to various diseases. This often indicates hypoglycemia when plasma glucose levels are very low. The body tries to compensate for this deficiency with food, especially sweets. This condition needs to be treated.

However, such symptoms can be evidence of other diseases. Therefore, such symptoms should be a reason to consult a doctor.

For gastritis

The desire to eat can be triggered by increased acidity when hyperacid gastritis . People with this diagnosis often experience sucking pain in the pit of the stomach. They subside when a person eats at least a little. Similar symptoms may also be evidence of other gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, it is important to clarify the diagnosis before starting treatment.

Constant hunger in a child

If some babies are very difficult to feed, then it also happens that the child asks to eat almost constantly. If a child does not reach the saturation phase, this may indicate disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract or a failure of metabolic processes. A baby who eats a lot may have a very large stomach. In this case, each time he will need more and more food to be satisfied. Therefore, in this case, parents should definitely consult with a specialist as soon as possible.

Having determined the cause of such disorders, the doctor will prescribe treatment and the right diet. But in this case, the parents themselves should follow the advice of a specialist. First of all, the child should eat 4 times a day, without snacks in between. If you can’t do without them, you need to give your baby vegetables and fruits. The child should lead an active life, walk a lot in the fresh air. Finally, the most relevant advice is this: parents themselves should eat right, exercise a lot, setting an example for their child.

Which doctor should I contact?

If hunger bothers you almost constantly, this is either a physiological or psychological problem. Accordingly, you need to contact either a gastroenterologist, or a psychiatrist or psychologist. You may also need to consult an endocrinologist. Perhaps a nutritionist can help solve the problem.

But first of all, you need to contact your local doctor, who will help you determine which specialist you should contact next.

If the patient has not been diagnosed with serious pathologies, the nutritionist can give him the following advice:

• Introduce more fiber-rich foods into your diet.
• Try to drink mineral or regular water during attacks of hunger to quench your appetite.
• Chew food thoroughly and very slowly. In the process of slowly eating, the stomach will have time to send a signal to the brain that it is already full.
• You should not eat in front of the computer or TV, but in appropriate places.
• During the diet, you should not restrict the body too much.
• After you are full, you need to get up from the table so as not to overeat later.
• Remove foods that stimulate appetite from the menu - spicy, salty, alcohol, etc.
• Do not leave tasty things within reach, so that during work you will not have the desire to snack.
• Try to keep yourself busy with interesting and exciting things so that you forget about food. The interval between meals should be about four hours.

No feeling of hunger

However, the opposite situation is often observed - a person has a lack of appetite, which also indicates disturbances in the body. If there is no desire to eat even after a long break between meals, problems with various systems and organs are likely. Why the healthy feeling of hunger has disappeared, you need to find out by visiting a doctor.

Despite the fact that many people at first consider a decrease in appetite almost a gift from above, since it helps to lose weight, such a symptom cannot be ignored. If the body does not receive vitamins, minerals and other beneficial substances for a long time, this will soon have a detrimental effect on well-being. Complaints like: “I don’t feel hungry” should initially be expressed to a therapist, who will refer you to more specialized specialists.

Dyslexia is a general term for appetite disorders. One of the most common appetite disorders is anorexia – a condition in which there is no appetite at all.

Why no appetite?

There are many reasons why this phenomenon occurs. This can be either a consequence of stress or depression, or a hormonal disorder.

Sometimes short-term appetite disturbances are easily eliminated. It is enough to drink tea with mint, lemon balm, chamomile for calm, or a collection of herbs that stimulates appetite.

However, loss of appetite accompanies many diseases. Among them are dysfunctions of the thyroid gland, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, oncological processes, diseases of the digestive system, liver, kidneys, heart, etc.

Many expectant mothers experience worsening appetite already in the first trimester of pregnancy, when pregnancy begins. In this state, a woman needs to listen to her body and eat what she wants. Appetite disappears due to lack of iron and. Therefore, it is advisable to replenish the supply of these substances by eating cabbage, buckwheat, and green leafy vegetables.

If there is no appetite immediately before the main meal, this may be due to the fact that the person is simply not eating properly. Perhaps snacking on high-calorie foods simply discourages you from eating.

Also, poor appetite may be due to a lack of B vitamins and zinc. In such a situation, you should take a multivitamin complex and consume more foods containing such elements.

conclusions

Appetite disturbances should not be perceived as a normal state of the body, especially if this continues for a long time. The reasons for this condition can be very different, and only a good specialist can determine why appetite disappears or, on the contrary, severe hunger bothers you. In this case, you should not self-medicate, because only a doctor will help establish a diagnosis and eliminate the problem.

If someone cannot control their appetite, then others do not have this appetite.

He disappeared, where? Let's find out what to do in this situation.

Appetite is an expression of the human body on an emotional level, the need for certain food.

Simply put, when you want to eat in the morning, afternoon and evening, like any normal person.

Decreased appetite is a complete or partial refusal to eat food.

At the first manifestations of appetite disturbance, not all people perceive this phenomenon as an alarming symptom. But in vain, because the reasons for absence may not be the most comforting.

What are the signs of a change in appetite?

This may be a general decrease in the desire to eat any food. Taste qualities in relation to any specific group of products may be impaired.

The most severe manifestation is anorexia, which is characterized by a complete lack of desire to eat food.

Lost appetite, reasons:

Doctors and scientists identify several groups due to which people experience a decrease or complete lack of desire to eat food.

These include:

If a person has no appetite, the reasons may lie in more serious diseases, such as typhoid fever, dementia, peptic ulcers, cancer, Addison's disease and many others.

In addition, there are also some factors on which the desire to eat food depends.

These factors include:

• At what level is intermediate metabolism in the body?
• At what level are metabolic products absorbed by cells?
• How much water is in body tissues?
• Is there sufficient fat reserves?

Secondary causes of lack of appetite

In addition to the main reasons, there are also secondary ones that can also affect loss of appetite, both directly and indirectly.

• Lack of sleep.
• Usually, due to lack of sleep, people begin to eat more and gain excess weight, but sometimes their appetite disappears altogether.
• What to do? It is enough to normalize so that everything returns to normal.
• As a rule, the next day after a full sleep, the problem disappears.
• Stress, physical and mental fatigue.
• Any stress and anxiety, negative emotions, problems at work, in your personal life, excess physical and mental stress - all this directly affects your appetite level.
• Try to get more rest.
• Coffee. Coffee is a good thing, but in case you didn't know, caffeine dulls your appetite for a while.
• Those. If you haven’t had enough sleep, are tired and are still drinking coffee, you are guaranteed to lose your appetite.
• Unbalanced diet. You don't know what you will eat today, tomorrow, etc. You don't care.
• You can easily snack on chips, drink cola, or eat something fatty to satisfy your appetite.
• But over time, the body will begin to resist your diet; it needs nutrients, as well as vitamins and minerals, and it can only get them from natural products.
• I have nothing against fast food, but it should make up no more than 20% of your diet. Read more about this.
• Pregnancy. Due to toxicosis, women rarely experience hunger in the first trimester.
• Then the opposite happens.
• Very often in the last months of pregnancy, the uterus can put pressure on the stomach.
• The stomach becomes reduced in volume, as a result of which, after a small amount of food, a woman may feel full.
• It's like she ate a lot more. This may create some illusion of loss of appetite.
• Overeating is another important reason for lack of appetite.
• Many people do not know moderation and eat a lot, take large plates and pile them on top.
• They eat a lot of cutlets, 2-3 plates of borscht, etc.
• I think you know such people, and maybe personally.
• So, such a diet can lead to loss of appetite over time. Large meals take longer to digest and some people experience digestive problems.
• After the first meal, after a while, a person, out of habit, shoves more food into himself, but it no longer fits, because everything eaten earlier is still being digested.
• No need to force your stomach. Eat, but when you are hungry!
• And I couldn’t help but touch on the problem of 21 people - losing weight.
• Some people think that they need to fast in order to lose excess weight that they have gained over the years.
• They think: I’ll fast for a week and everything will go away. It's funny of course.
• Meanwhile, the body begins to rebuild. In the best case, your appetite will increase and after the diet you will gain back everything you lost.
• At worst, you can get big problems with the hormonal system, up to the absence of red days on the calendar.
• At the very least, you will have no appetite. At most, there may be serious consequences.
• In one of my articles, I discussed Malysheva’s popular diet, of course.

What to do if you have no appetite

If a person experiences any violation of the usual relationship with food, namely, a decrease or complete absence of appetite, then this will indicate a problem in the body.

You shouldn’t ignore this and let the situation take its course, “you don’t want to eat and that’s okay.”

Moreover, those who want to lose weight should not take advantage of the situation.

This is, at the very least, stupid and reckless, and your health will not thank you for this!

Visit a doctor, go to an appointment, describe the problem.

He will identify the root cause and take all necessary measures to normalize appetite.

The following specialists can help you with this: psychotherapist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist.

If this is a complete lack of appetite, then most likely, such a patient will be admitted to a hospital, and all the necessary vitamins and substances that the body needs will be administered through drip infusion.

All this is very serious; such a phenomenon can lead to irreversible consequences if rational measures are not taken in time.

Under no circumstances do you self-medicate - this can be fraught with the worst consequences.

Contact a specialized doctor!

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A good appetite has always been considered a sign of good health. The correct operation of the mechanism responsible for satisfying the need for nutrients and obtaining pleasure from it indicates that the body functions without any special deviations. However, human appetite is a variable quantity. It depends on the nutritional culture instilled in childhood, taste preferences (which can change more than once during life), weather, mood and many other factors. Therefore, periodic loss of appetite is normal. A complete lack of interest in food, especially when it lasts long enough, can be a sign of serious health problems.

Appetite is regulated by a special food center located in the brain. When toxins enter the body, the functioning of this structure is temporarily blocked, since the main work of all systems at that moment is aimed at trying to get rid of dangerous substances. Intoxication can be caused by:

• food poisoning;
• overdose of nicotine or alcohol;
• exposure to chemical compounds contained in household chemicals, cosmetics or perfumes, as well as paint used in the production of fabrics, and other harmful components contained in objects with which a person has frequent direct contact;
• carbon monoxide poisoning;
• use of medications;
• acute infection (flu, ARVI, hepatitis, etc.).

As a rule, after toxic substances are removed from the body, appetite returns.

Digestive diseases

Patients suffering from pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract often experience unpleasant symptoms of dyspepsia: abdominal pain, belching, flatulence, nausea. In such cases, the loss of appetite is associated with a reflexive fear of eating.

Of course, such patients should not eat at all: this will only aggravate the painful condition. The way out is a special diet that excludes spicy, salty, sour foods, fried and smoked foods, fast food and canned food. Food should be semi-liquid and have an enveloping effect (for example, slimy porridges and purees are useful).

Hormonal imbalances

Fluctuations in hormonal levels greatly affect appetite. This is especially noticeable during pregnancy, when serious changes in a woman’s body can lead to very specific nutritional needs and changes in taste preferences.

Pathological abnormalities in the functioning of the endocrine glands usually cause a decrease in appetite. This process is characterized by gradualness: for example, with a decrease in the function of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), the desire to consume food decreases or disappears completely over a long period, in parallel with a general loss of body tone, the development of fatigue, the appearance of drowsiness, tearfulness and other signs of the disease.

Nervous disorders

Decreased appetite may also be due to psychogenic reasons. So, with depression, food stops giving a person pleasure; Often even the smell of food causes nausea. At the same time, patients complain of a feeling of fullness in the stomach and too rapid saturation. People who are severely depressed sometimes have to be force-fed.

One of the most common psycho-emotional disorders, characterized by a lack of appetite, is anorexia. For young women suffering from an inferiority complex and dissatisfied with their bodies, the desire to lose weight at any cost leads first to following unreasonably strict diets, artificial emptying of the stomach from absorbed food, and then to an absolute rejection of any food. This is a severe neuropsychic disorder that must be treated by specialists; it often requires hospitalization.

In all cases of prolonged lack of interest in food, you should consult your doctor. If no pathologies are detected in a person, but a persistent decrease in appetite threatens his health, the desire to eat can be increased through moderate exercise (for example, swimming) and walking. In some situations, taking decoctions and tinctures of medicinal herbs helps: wormwood, centaury, calamus, mint, elecampane, trifoliate, fenugreek, barberry. Medicinal teas made from strawberry, black currant and raspberry leaves are also useful.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

A good appetite has always been considered a sign of health and normal functioning of the body. The feeling of hunger is a natural phenomenon that signals that a person needs to “recharge” and restore lost energy. Accordingly, a lack of interest in food may indicate a number of diseases or problems in the functioning of internal organs. What does lack of appetite mean in adults, and in what cases should you consult a doctor?

No appetite: reasons for an adult

What is a healthy appetite?

A signal that the body needs to replenish its reserves of proteins, carbohydrates and other substances is formed in the brain. It is transmitted through neural endings to the digestive organs, as a result of which the secretion of gastric juice is activated, the level of insulin in the blood increases, and the person feels a feeling of hunger.

The mechanisms of our appetite

Lack of appetite indicates disruptions in this process - these could be diseases of the digestive tract, hormonal disorders, oncology and much more.

Causes of loss of appetite may be caused by gastrointestinal diseases

The reasons for loss of interest in food are divided into pathological, that is, those that are the result of malfunctions in the body, and non-pathological - they do not pose a threat to health and do not require medical intervention.

Non-pathological causes of decreased appetite

Non-pathological causes can be distinguished from health-threatening conditions by a number of signs. In this case, there is no appetite for 3-5 days (maximum a week), after which the body’s functioning returns to normal on its own. Such episodes are repeated no more than once a month, do not cause serious weight loss and are not accompanied by nausea, weakness, fever and other symptoms. Such reasons include the impact of external factors on the body and some changes in its functioning, which can be corrected without medical intervention.

1. Accommodations. Lack of appetite can be observed in certain conditions - for example, during very hot weather or a sharp change in climatic zones.

   In hot weather, most people have a decreased appetite

   Chronic fatigue and lack of appetite

   Lack of appetite due to stress

   Dietary disorders

   In pregnant women, lack of appetite may be caused by toxicosis

   A decrease in appetite is often observed in older people, which can also be considered a variant of the norm - in adulthood, metabolic and digestive processes in the body slow down.

   Pathological causes of lack of appetite

   The reasons for loss of interest in food, which are associated with various diseases, pose a serious health hazard. Vitamins, microelements and nutrients stop entering the body, which over time can lead to general exhaustion and even death. These include:

   • infectious diseases and exacerbations of chronic ailments;
   • disruptions of the endocrine system (especially those associated with pancreatic dysfunction);
   • diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;

     In this case, loss of appetite is usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain, etc. If these symptoms develop, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible, as this condition can have serious consequences.

     Of particular concern should be cases when a person becomes sick from one type of food, or begins to experience an aversion to once favorite foods (for example, meat dishes) - this phenomenon often accompanies cancer.

     If you feel sick from eating, you need to seriously think about your health

     What to do if you lose your appetite?

     If the lack of appetite is not accompanied by additional symptoms, you can try to restore it by following simple rules. If you have an aversion to food, you should not force your body - it is better to eat when you want, in small portions, but at the same time it is advisable to organize your food intake and eat at approximately the same time. Dishes should be tasty, healthy and beautifully presented - so that interest in food is awakened by just one look.

     Garnish dishes with fresh herbs

     In addition, if your appetite decreases, you should drink as much water as possible to prevent dehydration, walk in the fresh air more often, engage in physical activity and get proper rest. It is recommended to take vitamin complexes, especially those containing vitamin B12 and ascorbic acid.

     Vitamins B and PP

     Vitamins C, E, D, K

     What should the menu consist of for loss of appetite in adults? The key rule is that the diet should be balanced and contain all the microelements and nutrients necessary for health. In addition, there are a number of products that help increase appetite - primarily herbs, spices, hot and salty foods, as well as marinades. True, it is categorically not recommended to abuse them - in large quantities, such food can cause digestive disorders, gastritis and even ulcers.

     Spices improve appetite, but you shouldn’t overuse them

     You should also not eat a lot of fatty and heavy foods - after eating you should feel full, not heavy and full in the stomach.

     Do not overindulge in foods that are difficult for the stomach.

     Before meals, you can drink 50-100 grams of dry red wine or other light alcohol with a bitter aftertaste - aperitifs in reasonable quantities contribute to a good appetite.

     Mild alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, the purpose of which is to slightly quench thirst and stimulate appetite. Snacks are served with them

     Classic Venetian aperitif

     Foods that help improve appetite include:

     • black radish juice– take a tablespoon for several days, washed down with a spoon of clean water;

     The rule for such treatment is as follows: from potent remedies (horseradish, mustard, onion, radish), you need to choose one, and use it for no more than 20 days in a row.

     Medicines to increase appetite

     Medicines that increase appetite should be used only in extreme cases after consultation with a doctor. Each of them has a number of contraindications and side effects, and if used incorrectly and in dosage, they can cause serious harm to the body.

     A complete lack of appetite is an alarm bell, signaling malfunctions in the body (endocrine disorders, rheumatic diseases, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, etc.). Let's try to figure out what the causes of poor appetite are, whether it is possible to quickly improve nutrition and restore health.

     Why do I lose my appetite?

     Decreased appetite or refusal to eat leads to an imbalance in food balance, a decrease in the content of nutrients and glucose in the blood, which is dangerous for the normal functioning of the body. The main functions of food - energy, bioregulatory, plastic, adaptive, protective, signal-motivational - ensure the vital activity of the body and the constancy of the internal environment. Once in the body, food promotes the construction of new cells, participates in the formation of enzymes and hormones, and replenishes the body with proteins, minerals and vitamins.

     If there is no appetite for a long time or any other disturbance in the habitual relationship with food appears, this is a signal that the person needs help. A psychotherapist, gastroenterologist, nutritionist, endocrinologist are specialists who will determine the causes of appetite disorders and help restore it.

     Loss or decreased appetite in adults can have a number of causes:

     • Intoxication of the body as a consequence of inflammatory processes and poisoning.

     Occurs during acute respiratory viral infections, intestinal infections, hepatitis B and C, and chronic renal failure. Intoxication is accompanied by acute rheumatic diseases (lupus erythematosus, polyarthritis, vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis), food poisoning, drug poisoning, low-quality alcohol, and carbon monoxide. A person has practically no appetite, weakness appears, as the body has difficulty digesting food. You cannot force feed a patient so as not to harm. It is useful to drink plenty of fluids, which will help get rid of toxins that have arisen as the body fights infection. To find out the cause of the illness, it is recommended to undergo a detailed blood test and stool culture for intestinal pathogens.

     • Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Acute conditions.

     Digestive disorders occur with gastritis, enteritis, colitis, gastric ulcers, and liver diseases. Accompanied by nausea, vomiting, heartburn, belching with bitterness, pain in the esophagus and stomach. At the same time, a person is purely reflexively afraid to eat. Frequent split meals are recommended (liquid porridges based on oatmeal, buckwheat, semolina, rice cereals, without salt and seasonings). Such a diet should be supplemented with traditional treatment prescribed by a doctor. It is important to undergo an ultrasound of the abdominal organs, fibrogastroscopy (for gastritis), a general blood test and liver tests. To exclude viral hepatitis, it is recommended to donate blood for hepatitis B and C.

     • Disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system.

     They lead not only to loss of appetite, but also to rapid fatigue, constant drowsiness, decreased blood pressure, and slower speech. Such symptoms appear for many years. Pathologies of the thyroid gland are sometimes associated with improper functioning of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.

     It is necessary to be examined by an endocrinologist, donate blood for thyroid hormones T3, T4 and TSH. If a malfunction of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus is suspected, the doctor will prescribe a computed tomography scan of the brain.

     • Metabolic disorders due to cancer.

     Malignant formations disrupt the metabolism in the body, so taste sensations are distorted and appetite disappears. The person feels nauseous, weakness appears, and intolerance to meat and dairy products often occurs. If a malignant tumor is suspected, an oncologist prescribes examinations in accordance with the clinical manifestations and prescribes treatment based on the results.

     • Diseases of the nervous system, psychological disorders (loss of appetite due to depression, neuroses, dementia).

     Appetite can change both downward and upward. Loss of appetite due to nervousness is characterized by a lack of sensation of the taste of food. Sometimes the very mention of food or its smell causes a negative reaction, including nausea and vomiting. A person eats only to survive, since food itself does not bring pleasure, and even a small portion of food taken causes a feeling of fullness in the stomach.

     Anorexia nervosa is one of the mental disorders and is common among young girls. The pathological desire to correct the “flaws” of the figure at any cost, even at normal weight, leads to a refusal to eat. Over time, a persistent aversion to food appears, muscles atrophy, and the functioning of the musculoskeletal system is disrupted. Patients refuse food for so long that it ceases to be absorbed by the body. A change in the psyche occurs, and the person is no longer able to get out of this state on his own. A psychotherapist will help, and in severe cases, inpatient treatment.

     Loss of appetite during pregnancy, children and the elderly

     If a child has lost his appetite, he does not receive enough vitamins, micro, and macroelements necessary for growth and development. Babies do not want to eat when their baby teeth are cutting in (from 3 months to 3 years), since this process is often accompanied by fever and pain. Infants and older children refuse food when they have stomatitis (rashes and sores on the oral mucosa), which causes pain.

     Pregnant women may lose their appetite for a short period of time. Foods that a woman loved before pregnancy often cause disgust at the beginning of pregnancy, morning or daytime nausea appears, which does not contribute to appetite.

     What increases appetite

     There are simple ways to increase your appetite:

     Fractional meals are better accepted by the body. It is recommended to eat small meals in 4-5 meals at the same time. A beautiful table setting will help whet your appetite.

     Walking in the fresh air and physical activity will give you a boost of energy and stimulate your appetite.

     • Get rid of bad habits.

     Deprived of the pleasure of nicotine and alcohol, the body will look for it in something else, and most often in food.

     • Healing herbal infusions and products.

     Infusion of wormwood, tea with mint, radish juice, onion, garlic, parsnip, chicory, calamus, black currant, plantain, all citrus fruits, green vegetables increase intestinal motility, strengthen the stomach, and increase appetite. A course of vitamins, minerals, ascorbic acid will strengthen the body and stimulate appetite.

     • Increased drinking regime.

     In case of poisoning or overeating, clean drinking water is the best medicine. It flushes poisons and toxins from the body. Dehydration disrupts all vital processes at the cellular level.

     • Treatment of the underlying disease.

     For gastritis and other gastrointestinal pathologies, kidney diseases, and rheumatic diseases, you need to get qualified medical advice and treatment.

     • One-day fasting and diet.

     Short-term fasting for 12 or 24 hours helps improve appetite. The body will rest, get rid of the remains of undigested food, poisons and toxins. If you have gastritis, fasting is contraindicated.

     Including fermented milk products (kefir, yogurt) and fiber (microcrystalline cellulose, vegetables, fruits, bran) in large quantities in the diet restores the digestive system, normalizes intestinal microflora and stimulates appetite.

     Conclusion

     To increase the appetite of a child or adult, you need to promptly find out and eliminate the causes of disorders (cure diseases, change lifestyle, adjust diet). A healthy appetite will ensure good health and mood for many years of life.

A healthy appetite is considered to be nothing more than a clear sign of excellent health, general well-being and mood. The term " appetite" comes from the word " ", which translated from Latin means " pursuit" or " wish" Appetite is a sensation that is directly related to the body's need for food. Plus, it is also a physiological mechanism that regulates the intake of various nutrients into the body. Unfortunately, not everyone has a good appetite, which directly indicates a malfunction in a particular organism. Given this fact, this problem should be taken extremely seriously. Do not under any circumstances leave this fact without due attention. Right now we will tell you about the reasons loss of appetite, and about methods by which the current situation can be corrected.

Appetite - what is it?

Appetite is a rather polysemantic concept that is directly related to the functioning of a number of brain structures called the food center. This center is located mainly in the hypothalamus and cerebral hemispheres. Let us immediately note that both the presence and absence of appetite are determined by a number of very diverse factors.

Their list includes:

• quantity and quality of food;
• nutritional conditions;
• speed of food absorption;
• the amount of water contained in body tissues;
• level of fat reserve.

While eating, the appetite gradually dulls. This is not surprising, since eaten food stretches the walls of the stomach, after which they are digested. The breakdown products are then absorbed by the body, in turn causing a feeling of fullness.

Types of disorders

Modern experts distinguish 2 types of appetite:
1. general or “I want to eat!”: in this case, a person does not care what to eat;
2. specialized forms: in this case, a person wants to eat something specific, which indicates a lack of some substance in his body. The body may experience a lack of both fats and carbohydrates, minerals, proteins or vitamins.

Any appetite disorders are often referred to by one single term, namely dyslexia . There are certain subgroups of this pathological condition.
These include:

• hyporexia: deterioration or poor appetite;
• anorexia: complete lack of appetite;
• hyperrexia: pathological increase in desire to eat;
• bulimia: uncontrollable gluttony;
• parorexia: various kinds of perversions of appetite.

Causes of disorders

The list of reasons that can lead to loss of appetite is huge.
Here are the most common ones:

• dementia ( dementia caused by disease or damage to the brain);
• heart failure;
• bronchial asthma;
• hypothyroidism ( a condition characterized by a long-term and persistent lack of thyroid hormones);
• chronic liver pathologies;
• lack of zinc in the body;
• hepatitis;
• appendicitis;
• ulcerative colitis;
• pregnancy period;
• anxiety states;
• nervous disorders;
• tuberculosis;
• chronic renal failure;
• талассемия ( blood pathology that occurs as a result of genetically determined insufficient or completely absent synthesis of hemoglobin by the body);


• Crohn's disease ( recurrent chronic disease affecting various parts of the digestive tract);
• acute viral hepatitis;
• a course of drug therapy, including chemotherapy drugs, morphine, codeine or antibiotics;
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
• drug use, including heroin, amphetamine and cocaine;
• cancer of the stomach, colon, blood, lung, pancreas, or ovary;
• hypervitaminosis ( excessive amounts of vitamin D in the body);
• kidney inflammation;
• influenza condition;
• pneumonia.

Some bad habits can also significantly worsen your appetite. So, for example, it is not recommended to consume either sweets or soft drinks between meals. Often appetite worsens against the background of anorexia ( loss of hunger associated with a neurological disease, hormonal dysfunction or malignancy).

How dangerous is this?

Poor appetite is a rather dangerous phenomenon. The whole point is that the food we eat is, in a way, the connecting link between our body and the external environment. In addition, food has numerous functions, namely energy, bioregulatory, plastic, protective and many others. It is thanks to these functions that the body manages to both synthesize and build new cells. In addition, food provides the body with the necessary amount of energy, takes an integral part in the formation of hormones and enzymes, improves the functioning of all organs and systems, and also significantly increases the body’s resistance to various pathological conditions.

Food products have another important function, namely signaling and motivation. It is with its help that the appetite is stimulated. Experts say that the feeling of hunger occurs at times when there is a decrease in the level of nutritional components in the blood. Simply put, appetite controls the intake of the required amount of vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and fats into the body. It follows that poor appetite can cause nutritional imbalance ( ratio of food components).

What are the consequences of prolonged lack of appetite?

If a person does not want to eat for several weeks, this can lead, first of all, to exhaustion of the entire body, which is due to a lack of nutritional components that are so necessary for the normal functioning of all its organs and systems. Often the consequences are determined by the very cause that provoked the deterioration of appetite. So, for example, people suffering from diabetes may experience malfunctions of both the nervous system and the kidneys, liver or eyes. If the patient has cancer, prolonged lack of appetite can lead to his death.

Other consequences include:

• decreased brain activity;
• vitamin deficiencies;
• excessive fatigue;
• dizziness;
• drowsiness;
• weakness;
• disorders in the musculoskeletal system.

Loss of appetite during pregnancy

A fairly large number of pregnant women notice that in the first months of gestation they lose all desire to eat. It is important to remember that it is in the first 3 months that the formation of both internal organs and fetal systems occurs, so high-quality nutrition during this period is simply necessary. Only food can enrich the baby’s body with all the necessary vitamins and microelements. Loss of appetite in the first months of pregnancy is most often caused by a lack of vitamin in the body AT 9 , i.e. folic acid, as well as iron. These microelements are considered essential for the body of both the expectant mother and her child. Eating large amounts of buckwheat and apples will help enrich the body with these components. Folic acid can also be purchased at the pharmacy in tablet form. It should be taken strictly as prescribed by the doctor, so as not to make a mistake in the dosage. Most often, patients are prescribed from 400 to 800 mcg of this drug per day.

If you experience loss of appetite during pregnancy, experts recommend using the following tips:

• Walk outdoors as often as possible. After such walks, you will certainly want to eat;
• Make a meal schedule for yourself and strictly follow it;
• buy new dishes that you will like. It is best to opt for red dishes. It's no secret that the color red helps stimulate appetite;
• the table should be set beautifully so that it is pleasant to sit at;
• try not to eat alone. It is best to find yourself a company among whom you will enjoy sitting at the dinner table.

Loss of appetite in infants

When a newborn stops eating, young mothers are very worried about this. This is not surprising, since babies cannot yet say what the true reason for their refusal to eat is. Don't panic ahead of time. First of all, a baby may refuse to eat due to the onset of a cold. Often such young children refuse to eat because of the stress that they had to endure.
The thing is that even the most ordinary change of environment can become a very stressful situation for them. You shouldn’t assume that the little ones don’t understand anything at all. They are particularly sensitive to changes in both climate and their environment. In such cases, try to pay as much attention to the baby as possible. You should only visit a specialist if the loss of appetite is accompanied by a significant decrease in overall body weight.

Loss of appetite in children

Babies' eating habits change all the time. Sometimes the child eats more, sometimes he refuses to eat at all, throughout the whole day, and sometimes for several days. In most cases, children refuse to eat when they do not feel hungry or do not feel well. Fatigue can also cause a child to refuse to eat. They often eat sandwiches all day instead of eating three full meals. Children also have their own preferences regarding how food is prepared and presented to them. So, for example, they eat raw carrots with pleasure, but they simply cannot be forced to eat steamed carrots.

Possible causes of decreased appetite in a child

One of the most common reasons is the onset of a cold or any other pathology. In such cases, there is no need to force the baby to eat. It is best to carefully monitor exactly how he behaves. It is quite possible that within a few hours he will complain of pain in some part of the body, or you will notice he has a fever or a rash. Sick children should be given as much fluid as possible in the form of juices, tea, water or broths. All food should be easily digested. The body doesn’t need any extra stress right now. As soon as the child recovers, his appetite will immediately return.

Children often refuse to eat because they consume a certain amount of sweets. These can be cookies, carbonated drinks, candies or juices. All of these foods tend to suppress appetite. If lunch is not ready yet, and the child asks for something to eat, then instead of sweets, offer him a few vegetable sticks for a snack.

Emotional stress is another fairly common cause of loss of appetite. In such cases, the most important thing is to find an approach to the child. Calm him down, caress him and, together, help the baby get rid of the problem that has arisen. If you can’t do anything with your own efforts, then show your baby to a specialist who will definitely help you.

Factors influencing the baby's appetite

1. The intensity of hormone synthesis: the child grows unevenly. So, for example, in children under one year old, as well as in adolescents, a very large amount of both sex hormones and hormones of the parathyroid and thyroid glands is observed.

Diagnostic methods

To identify the true cause of poor appetite, the patient is most often referred for a number of examinations. Diagnostic methods used in such cases include:

• HIV test;
• Assessment of kidney function;
• Assessment of liver function;
• Barium enema ( x-ray analysis of the colon);
• Blood analysis;
• Analysis of urine;
• Pregnancy test;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
• Test for SЃРєРѕСЂРѕСЃС‚СЊ оседания эритроцитов;
• Study of the thyroid gland;
• Colonoscopy ( visual inspection of the lower digestive tract from the inside);
• Sigmoidoscopy ( examination of the sigmoid colon).

The last two studies are carried out only if a specialist suspects the presence of cancer. In some cases, it cannot be done without the help of a psychotherapist.

Treatment methods for loss of appetite

The course of treatment for loss of normal appetite is determined, first of all, by the cause that led to the development of this condition. If some pathological condition is to blame, then appetite returns immediately after it is cured. Appetite itself is restored during pregnancy, so expectant mothers most often do not need special treatment. If a person stops eating normally due to nausea, then there is no way to do without special medications. In most cases, such patients are prescribed promethazine or ondansetron.

Surgery is performed for patients whose appetite loss is caused by appendicitis. If a person suffers from dementia, then the course of treatment involves the use of special high-calorie nutritional mixtures. In extremely severe cases, artificial nutrition is prescribed directly through the gastrostomy tube.

Deterioration in appetite caused by a decrease in the total amount of thyroid hormones is treated with special medications that tend to replace the missing hormones. If appetite worsens due to an infectious disease, then antibiotic drugs cannot be avoided. And finally, for cancer, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery are performed.

Tips for those who have lost a good appetite

1. Forget about breakfast in bed and snacks in the bedroom or nursery;
2. Strictly follow a specific meal schedule, and do this in designated areas;
3. When sitting at the dinner table, do not rush in any way. Meals should last from 20 to 30 minutes;
4. In between meals, drink as much liquid as possible in the form of coffee, unsweetened tea or mineral water without gases;
5. Reduce your consumption of both chocolate and many other sweets to a minimum;
6. Regularly drink cabbage juice, which is an excellent appetite stimulant;
7. Eat meat broths or broths as often as possible;
8. Various sauces also help improve appetite, so add them to any dishes;
9. Learn the concept of normal and never overeat;
10. You need to eat often, but in small portions;
11. Carefully review the medications you are taking;
12. Exercise regularly;
13. Eat only those foods that suit your taste.

Medicinal plants

1. Recipe No. 1: take 20 gr. centaury herb, pour 1 cup of boiling water over it and leave for a quarter of an hour. Then we filter the infusion and take it 2 - 3 tbsp. l. 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals. You can also prepare a special tincture from the same plant, which should be taken 40 drops three times a day. Both remedies will help both improve appetite and restore normal digestion;

2. Recipe No. 2: mix 1 part calamus roots with 2 parts wormwood, put everything in a bottle and fill it with good vodka. After 10 days, filter the tincture and use it for oral administration, 25 drops three times a day, a quarter of an hour before meals;

3. Recipe No. 3: Yellow gentian also perfectly increases appetite. Take 20 gr. root of this plant, grind it thoroughly, fill it with vodka and leave to infuse. Then we filter the tincture and take it 1 glass 3 times a day. Before use, the required dosage should be diluted with a small amount of water;

4. Recipe No. 4: 1 tsp. Add crushed parsnip roots to 400 ml of water and let simmer for 10 minutes. Then we leave the broth to infuse for another 30 minutes, filter it and take it according to the following scheme: 1st week - 0.25 cups 3 times a day a quarter of an hour before meals; 2nd week - three quarters of a glass immediately before meals;

5. Recipe No. 5: pour 200 ml of boiling water 2 tbsp. l. chopped lemon balm herb. After 4 hours, filter the infusion and take it orally, half a glass, four times a day before meals. Every day we prepare a new infusion;

6. Recipe No. 6: you need to take 1 tsp. anise fruits and pour 200 ml of hot boiled water over them. After 60 minutes, filter the infusion and use it for oral administration, half a glass 2 times a day, 30 minutes before meals;

7. Recipe No. 7: steam 1 tbsp. l. blue cornflower flowers in 2 cups of boiling water. As soon as the infusion is infused, filter it and take it in 3 doses 30 minutes before meals;

8. Recipe No. 8: take 4 tsp. raspberry fruits and pour 400 ml of boiling water over them. After 3 – 4 hours, the infusion is ready for use. It is recommended to take half a glass four times a day. It is very important to use it exclusively warm;

9. Recipe No. 9: carefully chop the rhizomes of calamus, then 1 tsp. pour the resulting raw material with 2 glasses of boiled water and boil over low heat for 15 minutes. All this time the pan must be covered with a lid. Then we filter the broth, add a little sugar to it and take half a glass orally 3 times a day before meals. This remedy is especially effective if appetite has worsened due to the development of some gastrointestinal disease;

10. Recipe No. 10: grind 2 tsp. dandelion roots and pour the raw material with 1 glass of boiled water, after cooling it. After 8 hours, filter the infusion and use it for oral administration, one quarter of a glass four times a day. Using this product will improve the digestion process, and, consequently, restore appetite.

Herbal infusions

1. Collection No. 1: mix 1 part of wormwood herb and dandelion herb with half a part of yarrow herb and the same amount of white willow bark. 1 tbsp. l. pour the resulting mixture with 1.5 cups of hot boiled water and leave to steep for 30 - 40 minutes. After this, filter the infusion and take it orally, half a glass three times a day, 10 minutes before meals;

2. Collection No. 2: take 20 grams. herb centaury and leaves of fragrant rue, 10 gr. leaves of sage and the same amount of roots of angelica. To prepare this product, pour 3 cups of boiling water into 3 tbsp. l. received fee. After 30 minutes, filter the infusion and take 1 glass three times a day. It is very important that this infusion is taken before meals;

3. Collection No. 3: Let us immediately note that it can be given even to children. Mix 15 ml of burdock tincture, anise seeds, vegetable glycerin, chamomile root and ginger, then place the resulting mass in a dark, cool place. Before each use, the product must be shaken thoroughly. It is recommended to take it 1 tsp. before each meal;

4. Collection No. 4: it can also be given to a child. Take 7 mg each of sassafras, sarsaparilla, and chamomile roots and mix it all with 1 tbsp. l. grated ginger root and 400 ml boiling water. Place the resulting product on the fire and boil it for a quarter of an hour. Then strain the broth, add a little honey to it and take 1 tsp. before eating.

General information

It is necessary to distinguish between the concepts of hunger and appetite. Hunger is a reflex that occurs if the body does not receive food at a certain time. The mechanism of its development is as follows: the level of glucose in the blood decreases, after which a signal is sent to the hunger centers. At this moment, a person may feel increased salivation, a heightened sense of smell, and a tugging sensation in the pit of the stomach. This area is a projection of the stomach, therefore it always makes a person aware of the feeling of hunger.

note! When hunger occurs, a person does not have the desire to eat only certain foods. He eats everything.

Appetite is a special manifestation of the feeling of hunger, in which individual favorite foods are selected. It is influenced by the time of day, emotional state, nationality of a person, religion, and finally.

Decreased appetite refers to a state when a person does not want anything.. There is a concept of changes in appetite when habitual taste needs are disrupted. Doctors also diagnose a complete lack of appetite, leading to anorexia.

Causes of decreased appetite

A decrease in appetite is usually preceded by:

• Intoxication of the body due to inflammation or poisoning. Due to the fact that at such moments he spends all his energy on removing toxins, digestion of food fades into the background.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which are accompanied by pain and discomfort.
• Malfunctions of the endocrine system organs due to diabetes mellitus, hormonal imbalance.
• Oncology (stomach, colon or blood cancer).
• Autoimmune diseases (scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis).
• Depression, neuroses, neuropsychic disorders.
• Side effects after taking painkillers - morphine, ephedrine.
• Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia.
• Pregnancy.
• Excess fatty foods in the diet.
• Metabolic disorders due to poor nutrition.
• Adaptation of the body during physical activity to which it is subjected for the first time.
• Low mobility and sedentary work.
• Individual lactose intolerance, celiac disease.
• Bad habits – smoking, alcohol, drugs.

Important!Quite harmless habits can also cause a dulling of appetite, namely: abuse of chocolate, coffee, and powerful energy drinks..

It should be noted that there are diseases in which a person also loses the desire to eat.

This is about:

• Bronze disease, or Addison's disease, is an endocrine disease associated with adrenal dysfunction.
• Still-Chauffer disease is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
• Typhoid fever.
• Dementia.
• Gastroesophageal reflux - when the contents of the stomach are thrown back into the esophagus.
• Stomach and duodenal ulcers.
• Schizoaffective disorder.

Associated symptoms

There is an opinion that a good appetite is a sign of health. Due to the fact that during the day the feeling of hunger and appetite replace each other, a person saturates his body, while remaining at the same weight. This is a kind of balance that ensures normal functioning.

If this balance is disrupted for psychological or other reasons, appetite may disappear. Sometimes the feeling of hunger disappears along with it.

Note! Lack of desire to eat for several hours is not a reason for frustration. This happens when, during a previous meal, a person eats a dish that is too high in calories. In other words, at such moments the body is provided with energy for a longer period of time.

The absence of hunger for 5 - 8 hours makes you think. By the time they expire, the blood glucose level will probably decrease, and the person will feel a loss of strength and weakness. After satiation, the stomach full of food will stretch, the glucose concentration will increase and a signal will be sent to the brain to stop saturation.

It is interesting that scientists have established: a person subconsciously chooses those products that his body needs at a given time. Athletes prefer to eat salty foods after training to replenish salt loss due to sweat.

Diagnostics

If your appetite decreases, you should consult a doctor. He will prescribe a full examination of the body, including:

What to do if you lose your appetite

If diseases that could cause loss of appetite are identified, therapy is prescribed to eliminate them. At the same time, doctors recommend adjusting the schedule and portions of food intake. In other words, they advise eating 5 to 6 small meals a day. The last meal should be 4 hours before bedtime. You should spend about 30 minutes per meal, chewing the pieces slowly.

Snacks should be avoided. Sweets should be replaced with fruits, sauces and marinades with spices, as they stimulate the appetite. For some patients, doctors prescribe vitamin B and zinc, which enhance the sense of smell. It is also important to maintain a drinking regime, especially when playing sports.

Note! Nausea during this period is relieved with Promethazine and other similar drugs. To improve the functioning of the thyroid gland, hormone substitutes are prescribed. Dementia is treated with high-calorie nutritional mixtures, inflammation with antibiotics.