Causes of appetite fluctuations. What to do if there is no appetite - how to increase? What are the consequences of a prolonged lack of appetite

A good appetite speaks of a person's good health. The feeling of hunger signals that the body requires restoration of energy costs and replenishment of nutrients. It happens that a person loses interest in food, and sometimes even feels disgust for it. may be accompanied by nausea.

Nausea occurs as a result of a malfunction in the digestive system. Then the stomach, which has to move food to the intestines, pushes it up with reverse contractions of the esophagus. Often nausea ends with vomiting - involuntary powerful emptying of the stomach through the mouth. Discomfort from nausea and vomiting is aggravated by general malaise in the form of:

  • general weakness;
  • pallor of the skin;
  • dizziness;
  • active sweating;
  • rapid breathing and pulse;
  • increased salivation.

Lack of appetite, nausea, and vomiting can be harmless but completely natural body responses to an irritant, such as overeating or spoiled food. And they can be symptoms of serious illness and indicate the need for medical attention. Therefore, the causes of the disorder should be determined as soon as possible and the necessary measures should be taken to improve the condition.

Loss of appetite and bouts of nausea in women

In women, such ailments are more likely to occur against the background of hormonal changes during menstruation or during pregnancy. This is considered normal and is not a symptom of the disease. But, weakness, dizziness or severe pain is a reason to see a doctor.

Menstruation and premenstrual syndrome:

  • Before the onset of menstruation, jumps in estrogen and progesterone during the period of hormonal adjustment are accompanied by strong emotional experiences, neurosis, and insomnia. These processes are natural and disappear with the beginning of a new cycle, but women may experience a slight malaise and lose their appetite.
  • During menstruation, prostaglandins are produced that irritate the circulatory, muscular, and nervous systems, provoking uterine spasm and the occurrence of severe, but tolerable pain. The production of serotonin increases, leading to stagnation of fluid, the appearance of edema. Changes negatively affect the woman's well-being, being the norm, they pass quickly, do not require intervention.

Pregnant women with hormonal changes and changes in progesterone levels may experience toxicosis, passing by 14 weeks. Many expectant mothers feel a strong aversion to food, frequent bouts of nausea and impulses to. This is not a disease and early toxicosis does not pose a threat to the health of a woman or a child, if the pregnant woman does not worry all the time. During this period, the expectant mother should be provided with proper nutrition, walks in the fresh air, good rest.

An important reminder: the stomach of a pregnant woman should not be empty, you should eat fractionally, in small portions. This will relieve painful nausea and vomiting.

Nausea and vomiting in children

Children often experience nausea and vomiting. They can feel nauseous after active games on a full stomach and get sick in transport. Vomiting in a child may appear as a result of overeating or nervous tension. If this happens occasionally and is not accompanied by other symptoms, there is no cause for concern.

With a cold, when the baby is tormented by a runny nose, cough and sore throat, he is usually sick of eating. ARI needs to be treated. As you recover, the feeling of hunger will begin to appear.

If the appetite has disappeared for a short time, the type of food does not cause disgust in the child, there is no need to make hasty conclusions and feed it with pills. Symptoms that require immediate medical attention:

  • the baby is lethargic and sleepy;
  • he has a headache or dizziness;
  • temperature appeared;
  • increased or slowed pulse;
  • vomiting is frequent, severe, mixed with blood or accompanied by diarrhea;
  • the child is sick as a result of an injury to the abdomen or head.

If disturbances in the work of the gastrointestinal tract do not cause severe discomfort, quickly pass, and vomiting brings relief, there is no reason to panic. It is necessary to alleviate the condition by taking an antiemetic drug or using a folk remedy: drinking green tea, dill water or water with lemon. The main recommendation is diet. A few days after the attack, everything fried, sour and dairy is excluded from the diet.

Urgent medical attention is needed in case of complete refusal to eat, frequent vomiting, severe nausea lasting more than a day, fever and diarrhea.

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At first glance, it seems that stress and depression cause disorders only of the nervous system. Any nervous disorder provokes a malfunction of all body systems, the autonomic nervous system.

  • 55% lose their appetite, food seems less tasty.
  • In 30%, an emotional disorder provokes functional disorders of the intestines and digestion.
  • For 10%, unpleasant thoughts about life's problems distract them from eating.
  • Less than 5% develop nausea or vomiting due to nerves.

Lack of appetite can result in undesirable consequences with stress, which already negatively affects the body.

What to do if a person has experienced a mental disorder and refuses to eat? We'll tell you in the article.

You will need:

Why is there no appetite when stressed?

  1. Any disorder provokes nervous exhaustion, emotional overload, overwork.
  2. Under stress, the autonomic nervous system, which controls the functioning of internal organs, suffers.
  3. Neurosis and depression are a provoking factor in general tension, spasm of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, which is manifested by loss of appetite and an altered perception of the taste of food.
  4. Being, the metabolism and secretion of hormones changes.
  5. Low levels of leptin and estrogen, sudden changes in cortisol on the background of stress are one of the main causes of nervous loss of appetite.

Negative thoughts and experiences completely fill thoughts, pushing into the background the need for a regular meal.

What could be the consequences

Without treatment, the risk of rapid weight loss and nervous exhaustion is very high.

  • Prolonged lack of appetite can result in sleep disturbance, insomnia.
  • A frequent complication of nervous weight loss in women is menstrual irregularity.
  • In childhood and adolescence, there is a high risk of vitamin deficiency, a sharp decrease in immunity, impaired formation of the musculoskeletal system, susceptibility to colds and viral diseases.
  • A dangerous consequence of neurosis and depression - with rapid weight loss to exhaustion.
  • Loss of appetite is accompanied by headache, severe drowsiness and weakness, muscle pain, arrhythmia, muscle spasms, impaired intestinal motility.

In any nervous disorder, nutrition is an important factor in maintaining bodily functions.

How to recover from an eating disorder

Appetite regulates the function of intake of nutrients, proteins, fats and carbohydrates. The hunger and satiety center is located in the hypothalamus. If the blood glucose level drops, a signal is given to eat and increase energy balance.

With an unbalanced diet and the habit of snacking on sweets, the body does not receive the necessary amount of nutrients.

It will be possible to restore an eating disorder by observing three simple rules:

  1. You should eat at least three times a day.
  2. In nutrition, you need to adhere to the formula of 50% carbohydrates, 25% proteins and 25% fats.
  3. Sweets should be consumed in small amounts (up to 100 g) as a snack between main meals, and never consumed on an empty stomach.

Replenishing amino acid deficiencies

The cause of poor sleep and appetite, fatigue and malaise can be a lack of amino acids. For humans, tryptophan is an essential amino acid, which is involved in the regulation of the synthesis of vitamin B3 and appetite. You can fill the gap with certain products:

  • Soy and legumes, lentils, chickpeas, peas.
  • Dairy products, yogurt, milk, fermented baked milk, kefir.
  • All nuts contain tryptophan. It is enough to consume up to 50 g of almonds, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts per day.
  • Mushrooms and dried fruits, dates, raisins, figs.
  • Meat and fish, especially marine.

B vitamins

Essential vitamins in food:

  • Walnuts contain a sufficient amount of vitamin B1, B5 and B6.
  • Bananas are rich in vitamin C and B5-6.
  • Almonds, cashews are the source of the whole complex of group B - B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9.
  • Avocados and oats are rich in vitamins B1, B5 and B6.
  • Spirulina, spinach, asparagus and pumpkin are rich in vitamins B12 and B6.

Foods rich in zinc

In the body, zinc takes part not only in the metabolism of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and enzymes, but also contributes to sexual development, the functioning of the immune system and the work of the pancreas with the synthesis of insulin.

You can make up for the lack of zinc with the following products:

  • barley and buckwheat;
  • lean meat of turkey, rabbit and duck;
  • peas beans and chickpeas;
  • low-fat cheese and cottage cheese;
  • pine nuts, peanuts.

Medications to increase appetite

First of all, you need to make sure the cause of the eating disorder, since the methods of treating a psycho-emotional disorder are extremely different from the treatment of somatic diseases.

    Antidepressants

    Restore appetite in the syndrome of anorexia nervosa, depression and neurosis.

    Drugs with antiserotonin action

    Indirectly affect appetite and improve psycho-emotional state.

    Hepatoprotectors and tonic

    Regulate metabolism and increase tone.

    L-carnitine

    Participates in metabolic processes and restores the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, thereby regulating eating behavior and appetite.

The Importance of Diet

Regular nutrition not only enriches the body with essential nutrients, but also sets the rhythm for the functioning of all digestive and metabolic organs. At the same time, it is important to eat regularly and balanced, observing the rate of intake of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

Optimally four or five meals a day.

  • Breakfast should be in the first 2 hours after waking up, in a 2:1 ratio of carbohydrate and
  • The first snack can be between breakfast and lunch. Suitable fruits, light salad, dairy products.

  • Lunch should contain at least 40% protein, 30% fat and 30% carbohydrates. The proportion of simple carbohydrates - flour and sweet, should be one third less than the amount of complex carbohydrates (cereals, cereals, legumes).
  • The optimal second snack is protein products (eggs, cottage cheese), nuts, 1 fruit of your choice, vegetables in any form.
  • Dinner should be light, mostly protein with enough vegetables and fiber. Carbohydrates before bed are not recommended.

Appetite stimulants - spices and seasonings

Some foods especially increase hunger and appetite, and can rightfully replace drugs.

  1. Marinades, pickles, canned and lightly salted cucumbers and tomatoes.
  2. Herb-based spices - basil, cilantro, dill, red paprika and chili.
  3. Ground black and white pepper.
  4. Horseradish, mustard, ginger and wasabi.
  5. Fresh sour berries or fruit drinks from cranberries, lingonberries, lemon and pomegranate juice.

However, if there is a stomach disease, gastritis or peptic ulcer, it is forbidden to stimulate the appetite with peppery, salty and sour foods. This can provoke inflammation of the gastric mucosa and exacerbation of the underlying disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

    Why do you want to eat when you're stressed?

    During constant, prolonged stress, the adrenal glands increase the release of the hormone - cortisol. The more of this substance in the human body, the more he wants to eat. When a person is in a sudden stressful situation (danger to life, severe pain), then a large concentration of another hormone, adrenaline, is released into the plasma, which, on the contrary, discourages a person’s appetite.

    What to do during nervous hunger?

    Rapid weight loss during nervous exhaustion is a bad sign and can lead to anorexia. To prevent this, you should reduce your normal portion, in no case "shove" food into yourself by force, but eat regularly light food: soup, broth, fruits, vegetables. You can support the body with sedatives or antidepressants. Walking in the fresh air and sunlight also help - vitamin D. After two to three months, the appetite should return.

    Why do they lose weight on nerves?

    During stress, the hormones adrenaline and norepinephrine are released into the blood. As a result, metabolism increases, and the connection of fatty acids, on the contrary, decreases. Norepinephrine is also responsible for blood pressure, which rises on a nervous basis, forcing the systems in the body to work more actively, and therefore nutrients are consumed faster. As a result, the person loses weight.

    What can cause loss of appetite?

    Loss of appetite for the following reasons:
    This may be the body's reaction to nervous overwork and stress, when more adrenaline enters the bloodstream, thereby accelerating metabolism, so a person loses appetite and loses weight;
    Appetite can decrease from a decrease in the body's needs for calories due to old age, heat outside, an insufficiently active lifestyle;
    Also, you don’t want to eat during ARVI, flu, and other diseases.

    Weight loss with nervousness, why?

    A strong shock or frequent stressful situations lead to a greater consumption of calories by the body. Nervosa negatively affect metabolism. Stress causes spasms of the gastrointestinal tract, which interfere with normal digestion and reduce appetite. Therefore, a person does not want to eat, any food causes a gag reflex and, thus, a person rapidly loses weight.

    Is it possible to lose weight on nerves?

    During nervous stress, the body is saved by the release of the hormones adrenaline and norepinephrine into the blood. All systems begin to function faster, more energy is used up, metabolism increases. Since the body is not accustomed to such a pace of work, its digestive functions are disturbed, appetite decreases, and as a result, a person loses weight.

    What to do with anorexia on a nervous basis?

    Anorexia nervosa is defined by an obsession with losing weight and not eating. To treat the disease, the doctor determines a personal diet, taking into account the missing amount of nutrients. Also, the patient is prescribed drugs that support the human body as a whole: vitamins, if fragile bones, hormones from amenorrhea, antidepressants. From the very beginning, psychologists work with the patient.

    What to do if there is no appetite after the operation?

    After the operation, the body will use up its energy and it does not have enough strength to normalize the digestive system, metabolism is disturbed. Often a person loses his appetite after taking antibiotics, which are prescribed after surgery. These drugs disrupt the intestinal microflora. To return the desire to eat, the doctor makes a personal menu and diet for the patient. Various herbal decoctions are prescribed to stimulate appetite. Moderate physical activity and walks on the street restore normal metabolism and restore appetite.

    What is psychogenic loss of appetite?

    Psychogenic loss of appetite is associated with a person's psychological problems that lead to the disease - anorexia. This disease is more common among young girls and teenagers who think they are too fat. Nervous appetite loss leads to excessive weight loss in a short time.

    What to do if you feel sick on a nervous basis?

    A stressful situation forces the body to turn on all systems. The alarm signal is transmitted to the nerve endings, and the organs, defending themselves, try to get rid of the excess - hence the gag reflex occurs. In general, when the stressful situation passes, then the malaise will pass. Breathing exercises to calm the nervous system will help this, and light physical exercises will also force you to redirect hormones to muscle work. Taking sedatives and drinking herbal teas will calm the nerves.

    Why does increased appetite and drowsiness occur during stress?

    Constant prolonged stress causes the body to release the hormone cortisol into the plasma, which increases appetite. Drowsiness, by its very nature, occurs when the brain needs oxygen, but the body does not produce it. Stress leads to spasms of muscles and blood vessels, which causes tension, and it does not allow blood to pass to the brain. Often in stressful situations, blood pressure decreases, which also causes sleep.

Conclusion

Conclusion

Loss of appetite may not be the only manifestation of emotional overstrain and stress. In order to prevent nervous exhaustion and anorexia in a depressive state, it is not worth resorting to methods of increasing appetite without the advice of a doctor. At present, an experienced neuropsychiatrist can easily identify the causes of poor appetite, and prescribe the most appropriate treatment and remedies that will not harm the body.

Video to the material

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To the question: "No appetite, the reasons for an adult?" there are many answers.

Nutrient deficiencies are a must affect not only well-being, but also health. Therefore, it is necessary to solve the problem of their absence as soon as possible. How to increase appetite and why did it disappear?

The difference between hunger and appetite

Before diagnosing loss of appetite, you should understand this concept. Appetite is often confused with hunger, a reflex that occurs when there is no food.

The mechanism for the development of hunger is triggered by a decrease in glucose levels, due to which a signal is sent to the centers of the brain. At the time of the onset of a hungry spasm, a person has active salivation, the sense of smell improves and a pulling sensation “in the pit of the stomach” appears.

All these symptoms help a person feel hungry and go in search of food. At the same time, he has no desire to eat certain foods, he is ready to eat any dish.

The manifestation of hunger, in which a person desires certain foods, is called appetite. This feeling is influenced by many factors: time of day, country of residence, taste preferences, emotional state.

Violation of habitual taste needs, when a person does not want food at all, is called a decrease in appetite. This condition leads to anorexia and other problems.

Associated symptoms

The brain signals that the body needs to eat. It contains neurons that carry a signal to the digestive organs.

In the body of an individual experiencing a feeling of hunger, increased insulin levels and there is an active production of gastric juice. The absence of hungry urges indicates that the brain is working on other needs. Reduced appetite - protection against certain diseases of the digestive system.

There are symptoms that often accompany a person in the absence of appetite. Nausea, weakness - the most famous of them. Thanks to these signs, it is easier for doctors to determine the cause of the loss of appetite.

Causes of loss of appetite

All the reasons due to which appetite disappears can be divided into two categories: pathological and non-pathological.

Pathological causes

Most often, poor appetite in adults indicates a disease.

To forget about problems with appetite, you need professional help.

Pathological causes of decreased appetite include:

  1. Intestinal dysbacteriosis. Beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms take part in the processes of digestion. If their balance is disturbed, the body does not receive the necessary trace elements from food.
  2. endocrine problems. Lack of hormones leads to nausea and vomiting. As a result, the person becomes weak and loses his appetite.
  3. Chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Similar symptoms indicate a stomach ulcer, gastritis,. At the first signs of an exacerbation of the disease, preventive treatment should be taken.
  4. Mental problems, neuroses. High workload, stress, lack of rest and moral support lead to apathy, depression. These problems are often accompanied by weakness, nausea, fatigue, and lack of appetite.
  5. body intoxication. Harmful bacteria can provoke intoxication, as a result of which a person will feel weak and disgusted with food.
  6. Cardiovascular diseases. The deterioration of blood vessels provokes a general weakness of the body, and high blood pressure causes nausea.
  7. Drug addiction. The need for constant medication makes the gastrointestinal tract work hard. Because of this, gastritis, an ulcer, and pathology of the pancreas may appear.
  8. Oncology. During the period of chemotherapy, a failure occurs in many processes, especially in the work of the digestive organs.
  9. Viruses and infections in the body. With illness, there is often a significant decrease in appetite, as forces are directed to the fight against viruses. To prevent a large amount of toxins from leading to weakness and nausea, you should maintain water balance, namely, drink plenty of fluids.

Non-pathological causes

Natural causes cause a situation in which a person refuses to eat.

They do not depend on any disease, as they arise due to external pathogenic factors.

Distinctive features of non-pathological causes:

  • the duration of the symptoms does not exceed 4-5 days, then the increase in appetite occurs independently;
  • no need for medical care, medication;
  • no negative impact on health;
  • symptoms recur no more than once a month;
  • loss of appetite does not lead to sudden weight loss.

The list of non-pathological causes includes the following conditions:

  1. Menstruation. During this period, the female body is particularly susceptible to the influence of hormones. A sharp increase in the level of estrogen and progesterone provokes weakness, loss of appetite. At the end of the cycle, abdominal cramps and headaches are often added to these symptoms.
  2. Binge eating. Lack of proper nutrition during the day leads to an increase in appetite at night. The organs of the gastrointestinal tract were not subjected to stress all day, therefore, in the evening, when preparing the body for sleep, the food consumed can cause poor sleep, nausea and vomiting. All this will lead to a decrease in appetite.
  3. Prolonged fasting. If a person voluntarily refuses to eat, it can cause nausea and weakness. Since food does not get in for a long time, the produced secret negatively affects the mucous membrane, irritating it. In the absence of food, working capacity decreases and weakness and loss of strength appear.

Diagnosis of poor appetite

Normal life is ensured by balance, which is the alternation of hunger and appetite. Violation of the normal state for any reason leads to a decrease in appetite, and then a feeling of hunger.

Eating high-calorie foods can increase the time between the desire to eat up to 4-5 hours.

However, if hunger does not come for more than 8 hours, this is a signal that problems have appeared in the body.

A decrease in blood glucose levels will cause dizziness, weakness, loss of strength.

To diagnose the cause that caused the loss of appetite, you should consult a doctor. He will prescribe a complete examination of the body, including the delivery of tests. If a woman has a problem with appetite, pregnancy should be excluded first.

Video - How to get better when there is no appetite?

What can increase your appetite

The causes that provoked a decrease in appetite and were identified during the diagnosis are eliminated by therapeutic methods. Parallel doctors advise the patient to adhere to the following recommendations:

  1. Follow a meal schedule. You need to eat several times a day in small portions. Dinner should be no later than three hours before bedtime. Eating daily at a certain time will contribute to the production of saliva, prepare the body for the absorption of food.
  2. Food should be chewed slowly, without being distracted by extraneous stimuli (TV, computer). You should apply an attractive serving, work on a beautiful design of dishes.
  3. Food should be tasty and varied.
  4. When fighting poor appetite, it is very important to observe the daily routine: sleep for at least eight hours, do not forget about rest. Mild physical activity is encouraged, as sport stimulates the urge to eat.
  5. Stress, conflict situations, bad emotions should be avoided.
  6. In order for the digestive juice to be produced more actively, you need to eat foods that stimulate this process, for example, pickled and salty dishes. Spices, spicy seasonings, herbs, sour berries, foods high in vitamins B and C, decoctions and infusions of bitter herbs contribute to an increase in appetite.

Loss of appetite in old age


Lack of need for food and persistent loss of appetite may occur in the elderly. Retirees often limit themselves to healthy and nutritious food due to financial problems. In addition, it weakens with age, or diarrhea begins, the work of receptors worsens. The body begins to digest food poorly.

The above factors affect appetite. To avoid problems with the work of the gastrointestinal tract, you need to increase the number of easily digestible foods. The menu should include stewed vegetables, cereals, fish, lean meats. Older people should avoid fatty and fried foods, not eat large portions and, if necessary, use a blender to grind food.

How to increase your child's appetite


Adults often have a problem feeding the baby because of his refusal to eat. To increase your child's appetite, you can take the following steps:

  • make a diet that is optimally suited to the age and characteristics of the child;
  • follow the diet;
  • spend several hours a day outdoors;
  • include outdoor games and sports in the daily routine;
  • attractively decorate children's dishes;
  • add fruits and dried fruits to cereals;
  • do not force-feed the child;
  • do not overfeed the baby;
  • reduce the number of snacks on cookies and other floury dishes;
  • place small portions on a plate.

If the lack of appetite lasts for several days, you should not independently look for the cause and carry out treatment. The specialist will quickly determine what the decrease in appetite is due to and prescribe medications to enhance it.

A healthy person has a healthy interest in food. To keep the body in working condition, it has to be fed regularly. The feeling of hunger is a signal that you need to recharge.

But sometimes we do not want to eat at the usual time, and sometimes there is indifference or even aversion to food. Why does the appetite disappear? The reasons can be different, from the most banal to the most serious. Therefore, this should not be neglected.

We have to find out why people lose their appetite and what problems the body signals when it refuses to eat. How to react if the child's appetite is gone? What to do if the expectant mother has no appetite?

Lost appetite: causes

Easily installed and non-dangerous causes of loss of appetite

There is a mild form of appetite disturbance, that is, its decrease (hyporexia) and complicated, when a person has no appetite at all (anorexia). At the stage of hyporexia, you can still try to deal with disorders on your own, but anorexia poses a great danger to human health and life, which means self-medication is unacceptable!

Loss of appetite may indicate serious disorders in the functioning of internal organs. Especially if you suddenly lost your appetite. There is no doubt about the seriousness of the situation, when the temperature jumped at the same time and the appetite disappeared.

If loss of appetite is the only symptom, then we are talking about temporary malfunctions in the body. Let's consider why this happens.

  • Appetite decreases under the influence of external factors, often weather conditions. Personally, I eat almost nothing for whole days when it is an abnormally hot summer. It is normal that you do not want to eat, the body correctly requires more fluid in order to replace its loss. Drink a lot and don't force yourself to eat. Appetite will be restored as soon as the heat subsides.
  • Change of place of habitual residence It can be a test both physically and psychologically. If you've lost your appetite after moving, don't worry. Give yourself time to get used to the new conditions and circumstances, and the body to adapt.
  • Chronic fatigue may lead to appetite disturbances. The fact is that the body spends a lot of energy on the process of digesting food. When a person is tired, the subconscious tells you to conserve strength. In addition, falling down from unbearable loads, not only physical ones, it can be so lazy to take care of food that it is easier for the body to refuse it.

  • Another common cause of loss of appetite is the body's protest against certain medications. If you have been taking medications, biological supplements, doping, contraceptives, weight loss drugs for a long time, look at the side effects in the instructions and the expiration date of the drugs. To restore your appetite, you will have to change a specific drug or stop using such drugs altogether. Stop self-medication, in particular, with herbs, categorically refuse expired drugs. Simple actions can easily restore lost appetite.
  • diet abuse For the sake of losing weight, you risk doing great harm to health. Diets are dangerous because because of them a person artificially creates a deficiency of vital substances. Due to improper diets, nutrition becomes irrational, which in turn leads to rapid weight loss and loss of appetite. If it comes down to it, gradually get off the diet. The next time you choose a diet, after consulting with a nutritionist, and strictly follow his recommendations.
  • Loss of appetite is often the result bad habits . Smoking, alcohol abuse, the use of narcotic substances in any way slowly but surely destroy the internal organs and disrupt the processes occurring in the body, in particular digestion. Lack of appetite is a predictable result of a long unhealthy lifestyle. It's never too late to give up bad things. Do it at last!
  • Psychological reasons loss of appetite is common. Any strong unrest is perceived by the body as stress. It doesn't matter if they are positive or negative. A wedding or divorce, a long-awaited meeting or its cancellation, an important victory or defeat - such events can significantly reduce appetite. The only difference is that after positive experiences, disruptions in the body associated with the unwillingness to eat quickly normalize, and negative ones often develop into a depressed state or even depression. If for a long time you have not only poor appetite, but also mood swings, consider this a good reason to see a doctor. Don't expect depression to go away with time. The longer you delay, the harder it will be for you to get back to normal. Know: along with the mood, the appetite will return.

Loss of appetite as a symptom

Unfortunately, lack of appetite is often a sign of serious health problems. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms that may accompany food aversion and the causes of this condition.

If you just don’t feel like eating, and there are no other painful symptoms, then you shouldn’t get hung up on this. Most likely, this is a temporary symptom and soon everything will pass.

But often poor appetite is accompanied by parallel symptoms, for example:

  • headache + lack of appetite;
  • nausea + lack of appetite.

If you suffer from a complex of symptoms, consult a general practitioner or family doctor. The primary care specialist will refer you to one of the highly specialized colleagues: a psychotherapist, a gastroenterologist, a nutritionist, an endocrinologist, an oncologist. Hurry up for a consultation.

Dangerous causes of loss of appetite:

  • Poisoning (intoxication) - food, drugs, gases, toxins, alcohol ... The body does not perceive anything, on the contrary - it works to eliminate the poison. If you suffer from nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite and diarrhea at the same time, you are most likely poisoned. This is exactly the case when it is better to refuse food for a certain time. Call an ambulance immediately or rush to the infectious diseases department.
  • Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: cholecystitis, dysbacteriosis, gastritis, ulcer. The most common set of symptoms with them: lack of appetite, abdominal pain.
  • Violation of the functions of the endocrine system.
  • Diseases of the nervous system, mental disorders.
  • Diseases of the liver, pancreas may be accompanied by symptoms: lack of appetite, nausea, weakness.
  • Infectious diseases, in particular tuberculosis, are another number of possible reasons why you do not want to eat.
  • Oncological diseases. Cancer patients refuse certain foods, most often meat. In a combination of severe weakness with a lack of appetite lies the danger of oncology.

Symptoms that, in combination with loss of appetite, should alert you

Call an ambulance if the violation of appetite is accompanied by dangerous complexes of symptoms, such as:

  • diarrhea, lack of appetite
  • pain, lack of appetite, nausea
  • vomiting, lack of appetite
  • fever, lack of appetite.

With such symptoms, it is extremely dangerous to remain without medical supervision.

No appetite: what to do

A good appetite is not without reason considered a sign of good health. When a person does not feel hungry for longer than usual, it causes anxiety. It immediately becomes clear that not everything is in order with health, mental or physical. No one has yet been able to feel good without nourishing the body in time. Discomfort, weakness caused by a lack of nutrients that enter the body with food are so strong that people literally lose their zest for life. If appetite is gone, what to do is not always clear. At first, people tend to neglect the situation, but in the meantime it becomes so complicated that the strength and desire to correct it disappear. We offer a selection of effective, proven tips on how to act when you don’t feel like eating anything.

First of all, try to restore the natural need for food with elementary methods.

  • Why not work up an appetite in the park or on the waterfront? Choose a place for a walk where there are a lot of green plantings. Having sated your lungs with plenty of oxygen, you may want to eat very quickly. It will not be superfluous to walk past the place where street food smells delicious. Appetizing smells will surely wake up your dormant taste buds!
  • Physical activity in nature is an excellent appetite activator. Suitable for jogging, cycling, any sport with a ball or rackets, fitness, dancing, yoga, and better - swimming. Classes in the water cause wolf hunger! But don't overexert yourself, because exhaustion can backfire. It is very good if you do not do it alone. Good company and pleasant fatigue will certainly restore your lost appetite.
  • Often interruptions in appetite are associated with non-compliance with sleep and food intake. Restore your usual daily routine if it has been changed, or just wait until the adaptation period has passed.
  • It happens that the loss of appetite is caused by the monotony of your diet or loneliness. Perhaps you are just tired of the usual menu or too lazy to cook something new for yourself, there is no one to share a meal with. Make an effort - treat yourself to something tasty. "Colored food", fresh berries, vegetables and fruits, pleasing to the eye, greatly stimulate the appetite. If you don’t feel like doing something for yourself, invite guests. You will not feed them banal potatoes?! But stuffed zucchini with potato sailboats will tempt you even in the process of cooking. There is an easier option for those who are not capable of culinary exploits. Organize a meeting of old friends. With them for the company you will have to taste everything!

  • There is a high probability of overcoming the lack of appetite by doing things you love. Just make time for what brings you pleasure. In a depressed state, there can be no talk of new hobbies, but remembering old ones is very useful. Listen to the music you listened to, look through the exhibits of a long-forgotten collection, re-read the book that made an impression on you. It may happen that you do not even notice how you start to snack on everything that comes to hand.
  • If you have bad habits, do your best to stop them. We do not promise that the appetite will return immediately, because the process of restoring the body from negative influences is a long one. However, after a while, you will definitely feel a surge of strength and hunger.

If there is no appetite during pregnancy

With the forces of her own body, the expectant mother ensures the development of a new life. This requires more physical and psychological resources than usual. Extraordinary emotions, excessive anxiety, increased responsibility, sharp hormonal surges are factors that significantly change the state of a person. Of course, they in turn affect the appetite. At different periods of pregnancy, it either disappears or grows exorbitantly. A pregnant woman finds herself between two extremes: eating for two, but not overeating. At first glance, it is paradoxical that appetite worsens during pregnancy. We will explain why this is so.

Worst of all, what loss of appetite during pregnancy can indicate is an exacerbation of existing diseases, any of the above. It is clear that you will have to be treated, as well as the fact that self-treatment is out of the question.

In a healthy pregnant woman, a sluggish interest in food has clear explanations that are directly related to her condition. Mostly lack of appetite during pregnancy is observed in the first trimester.

Toxicosis is the most common reason why a pregnant woman eats little. It usually lasts up to three months, during which a woman can even lose weight. The pregnant woman is sick, there is no appetite, this is understandable. But actually toxicosis is already a consequence of certain processes characteristic of the period of pregnancy. Exacerbation of olfactory receptors causes aversion to certain smells. The increased sensitivity and vulnerability of a woman to the changes that occur to her are often expressed by poor appetite. Hormonal surges suppress appetite due to reduced digestive function. In addition to these reasons, the unwillingness of a pregnant woman to eat can be explained by a lack of iron or folic acid. They are needed in sufficient quantities for the formation of a healthy fetus. If they are not enough, the body signals this by refusing to perceive food, especially one that does not contain them. Do not forget about the factors that strongly affect the desire or unwillingness to eat. You can please you with the fact that all these are normal and temporary phenomena. At the same time, we warn you not to take the loss of appetite during pregnancy as infantile, because you are simply obliged to provide the unborn child with everything necessary.

If a woman in the second trimester of pregnancy complains: “I don’t feel hungry,” this basically means only that the uterus, by putting pressure on the intestines, provokes stagnation of digested products in the body.

In the third trimester, the enlarged body of the child presses on the stomach through the wall of the uterus, respectively, the capacity of the stomach decreases, which suppresses the feeling of hunger. Also, often women are worried not to gain excess weight and “not feed” the fetus, fearing difficult childbirth, so they subconsciously limit themselves in food.

The basic principle of nutrition of a pregnant woman: eat little, often and only the best!

What should a pregnant woman do to improve her appetite

  1. First of all, walk a lot. Be physically active, without undue stress, of course. Do what makes you happy and avoid everything that makes you sad.
  2. Take tests on time, saturate the body with the necessary micronutrients, nutrition or, if necessary, vitamin preparations.
  3. There are small portions, but often, 5-7 times a day. Eat liquid food. Drink a lot.
  4. Sleep longer at night and allow yourself daytime sleep.

During pregnancy, lack of appetite is a symptom that is mostly alarming. Nevertheless, it is forbidden to ignore it, if only because up to 80% of the health of the unborn child depends on the nutrition of the mother. And the woman herself needs to prepare for childbirth. Pretty compelling to do your best for a balanced diet during this critical period, right?

The child lost his appetite: what to do

The ideal child in terms of nutrition for many parents is the one who eats everything that is given and when they are given. Indeed, it is very convenient. But this practically does not happen and should not be. This is easy to explain: you can’t convince a child that you need to eat, it’s useful. He eats when he wants to, doesn't eat when he doesn't want to.

In general, the child refuses to eat in such cases:

  1. The child is full. This is good.
  2. The child is sick. This is bad, but in this case you need to treat, not feed.
  3. The child does not like what they offer. Well, there is only one way out: to prepare something else, after asking what the child would like.
  4. The child shows character or whims during meals - this is a protective reaction. Do not encourage him to persuade him to eat without fail, do not succumb to provocations.

None of the reasons mentioned gives adults the right to force a child to eat! It won't do any good. Any coercion is very harmful: for relationships, for the psyche and for health in the first place.

Of course, the lack of appetite in a child can be sought in another way. We have collected possible causes and recommendations for their elimination.

Helpful Hints

Teach your child to eat wholesome childhood foods. And then he will not have problems with lack of appetite, and with weight. Let the child not know the taste of harmful foods for as long as possible. Instead of sweets - dried fruits, instead of chips - homemade crackers, instead of sugar - honey, instead of purchased juices and waters - ordinary water, compotes and compotes. Enlist the support of relatives and people in contact with the child. Prohibit treating your child with lollipops and other edible garbage!

It is difficult to accustom a child to a culture of nutrition and healthy food if you yourself do not demonstrate this in everyday life. Be an example or do not demand from the child what is unusual in his environment.

If the child does not have an appetite, the reasons may not be related to satiety. By turning the meal into a cult, you let your child know that food is important to you. And the child uses this as a means of influencing you.

Reduce the importance of food. Let me not eat. The little stubborn one will miss a few dinners. So what? He will not die of hunger, but he will make sure that blackmail with food does not work.

Remember, a balanced diet is the key to good health. Make sure your child has a healthy appetite, but do not force him to eat a lot. Let everyone develop according to their individual needs.

Often the disease of lack of appetite sends us an alarm signal. Usually in such cases, accompanying symptoms are observed. However, not always. If a child has a high or low temperature, lack of appetite, weakness at the same time, act without delay.

Poor appetite: how to regain interest in food

In the absence of appetite, the causes cannot always be established quickly. But in the meantime, you can try to regain interest in food. If walking, physical activity, mood enhancement by all available methods did not work, there are many other ways that will help you achieve a positive result.

Get yourself a vitamin therapy. Special medicines will help bring the disturbed appetite back to normal. We do not specifically name them, because self-medication can do more harm than good. Consult a doctor and start with a multivitamin, or one of the vitamins: B12, iron, ascorbic acid, strictly observing the dose.

But foods that increase appetite, in moderation, can be consumed safely. If you have a poor appetite, add the following foods to your daily diet: lemon and other citrus fruits, sour apples, pomegranates, black radish, onions, garlic, sauerkraut, wild garlic, cranberries, mountain ash, blackberries, raspberries. Be sure to drink juices.

Another option, which also requires agreement with the doctor, is tinctures and decoctions of herbs that stimulate appetite. These include: dandelion roots, ginseng, pink radiola, marsh calamus, bitter wormwood, mint and lemon balm, yarrow, thyme, dill seeds and greens (fennel for newborns), plantain leaves and others. You can use one-component products or pharmacy fees.

HERBAL TINCTURE RECIPE FOR APPETITE: Prepare the collection: 50 g of bitter wormwood, 100 g of St. John's wort, 100 g of calamus root. 2 tbsp. l. collect these herbs in the evening, pour into a thermos and pour two glasses of boiling water. In the morning, strain, divide into 4 servings (150 g each). Take 4 times a day 15 minutes before meals.

MELISSE TEA RECIPE FOR APPETITE: Grind 2 tbsp. l. lemon balm. Pour two cups of boiling water and let it brew for four hours. Drink ½ cup before each meal throughout the day.

In general, short-term appetite disorders do not pose a threat to health. But a complete lack of appetite can have irreparable consequences. Be attentive to the state of your health, be diagnosed in time!

A common cause of loss of appetite is fasting, especially if you resort to it without prior preparation and without the supervision of a nutritionist. Before deciding to go on a hunger strike, make sure that you do not suffer from an ailment in which it is contraindicated.

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To understand the cause of poor appetite, it would be nice to know when this very appetite comes to us.. This sensation depends on enzymes and gastric juice. When the necessary 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 drowns out the appetite.

Sometimes loss of appetite is caused by excessive indulgence in foods rich in saturated fats or sweets.. Smoking and alcohol in some people can also reduce appetite. In the amount of food eaten, heredity plays an important role, so sometimes “little girls” fall into the category of people with poor appetite. And in some cases, the cause of the loss of 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 with serious diseases of the cardiovascular system, chronic liver disease, 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 forces to fight the disease. Another group of diseases that occur with loss of appetite: diabetes mellitus, lowering the level of thyroid hormone, as well as endocrine problems. A disorder of the immune system, psyche and nervous system can also be accompanied by an aversion to food.

Sometimes the reason for the 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, trace elements 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 treatments.

How to restore appetite

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 with foods that help produce digestive enzymes and stimulate your appetite. This includes spicy seasonings, for example - horseradish, mustard, pepper, as well as spicy herbs (greens). The 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 appetite.. For example, contrary to tradition, a meal should start with main courses, and soup should be eaten ten minutes after the second. Then the gastric juice that is in the stomach will not be diluted with liquid soup, and it will be easier for him to digest solid food. You can also lightly acidify the food with vinegar or salt well.

Cooking for a person who has a poor appetite, you need according to some rules. So, it is better to fill the cereal with water and keep it that way for a while, and then just boil it. Meat and potatoes do not cook to the end, leave as if undercooked or undercooked. And fish is better to cook 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 that are high in protein. Another way is to take nutritional yeast supplements that include vitamin B. Green vegetable salads that are high in quantity (especially those containing zinc) can also bring back lost appetite.

To increase appetite, decoctions and infusions of herbs are sometimes prescribed. who drink half an hour before meals. These funds will help stimulate the appetite, lost 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 if the loss of appetite is caused by a serious reason or is it a temporary phenomenon? Let's break it down point by point:

  • Loss of appetite is accompanied by weight loss, this process occurs gradually and steadily. These signs may indicate the presence of serious diseases and it is necessary to go to the clinic for examination. Sometimes the cause can be identified by a blood or urine test. These indicators can identify liver disease, diabetes, or hormonal imbalances. A urinalysis will help identify an infection in the kidneys. A chest x-ray can check the lungs for pneumonia and other illnesses. An ultrasound can check the abdomen and 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 yourself to eat.. We know that some people with the help of hunger cure such diseases much faster. The fact is that the body spends a lot of energy on digesting food. Illness is an additional load, which means that additional energy is needed. Here the body refuses food in order to direct all its forces to fight the disease. Here we can recall wise animals that refuse to eat and even drink when they are 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 take any food. But if such stresses are repeated often or a person constantly lives against their background, then the problem may turn out to be chronic. A favorite pastime, walks in nature (preferably by the water), meditative music, massage or a bath will help in getting 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 knock the body out of rhythm and worsen appetite. Eternal snacks with sandwiches, coffee with a cigarette can stress the entire digestive system, and it will refuse food. Indulge yourself at least occasionally with homemade dinners so as not to forget what a good appetite and healthy intestines are.
  • The desire to lose weight and adherence to various diets can cause psychological aversion to food. This is already a problem from the field of medicine and psychiatry, and it is not easy to overcome it. Therefore, you need to understand why we need this or that diet, and love ourselves for who we are. And do not go around the clinic in search of lost appetite. After all, even well-known models that shone on the catwalk for many years could not always cope with this problem and died of anorexia.

Anyway, whatever the reason for the loss of appetite, it cannot be put up with. Lack of nutrients, vitamins and minerals can eventually lead to malnutrition and new diseases. Therefore, it is simply necessary to find out the cause and get rid of it.

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