Loss of Appetite and Weight
Obesity and excessive weight gain have become significant health concerns in today’s world, attracting considerable attention from various organizations due to their serious health implications. Conversely, extreme weight loss or severe thinness is equally alarming and warrants caution. Persistent loss of appetite and continuous weight reduction can lead to numerous diseases that pose threats to an individual’s life. Maintaining an ideal weight, or close to it, is crucial for achieving optimal health.
Causes of Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss
Loss of appetite often coexists with confusion, sleep disturbances, and feelings of fatigue. Additionally, individuals experiencing this condition may struggle with concentration and focus. To determine the underlying causes of appetite loss and weight reduction, thorough examinations and laboratory tests are necessary. The potential causes may include:
- Development of anorexia nervosa, characterized by a complete lack of desire to eat.
- Certain illnesses, such as diabetes, where insufficient insulin production by the pancreas prevents glucose from entering cells, causing the body to rely on fats and proteins for energy, leading to weight loss.
- Even mild depression can significantly decrease appetite.
- Malnutrition and absorption disorders.
- Kidney and liver diseases.
- Thyroid disorders.
- Use of specific medications that have appetite loss as a side effect.
- Chronic bowel inflammation, which may also be accompanied by abdominal pain and blood in the stool, or the presence of Helicobacter pylori in the stomach, resulting in decreased appetite and post-meal abdominal pain.
- Hormonal imbalances, particularly during adolescence, where females often experience decreased appetite.
- Severe psychological stressors, such as grief, anxiety, and persistent worries.
Treatment for Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss
The treatment for loss of appetite and weight reduction generally involves:
- Implementing a treatment approach based on the underlying cause of the issue. This may require support and encouragement from family and friends to assist the individual in adhering to the prescribed treatment plan.
- Incorporating foods that can stimulate appetite, such as apples, ginger, orange juice, and lemon.
- Engaging in positive social interactions and sharing meals with others that the patient enjoys.
Video on Causes of Sudden Weight Loss
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