Poor appetite. Causes and signs of poor appetite. How to get your appetite back. Lack of appetite

Loss of appetite - clinical manifestation of a nonspecific nature, which can be a manifestation of either a specific gastroenterological disease or be a consequence of certain physiological factors. In this case, psychosomatics cannot be ruled out, which may indicate loss of appetite for nervous soil. In any case, methods for eliminating such a symptom should be chosen by a qualified medical specialist, after carrying out the necessary laboratory and instrumental examination methods. Self-medication is unacceptable, especially for children.

Etiology

Poor appetite or it complete absence may be a consequence of either a certain disease, most often of a gastroenterological nature, or physiological factors.

For diseases whose clinical picture includes this symptom, should include:

infectious lesions of the gastrointestinal tract;
, any shape;
gastroenteritis;
anorexia;
diabetes mellitus and others systemic diseases;
frequent food poisoning (in this case, loss of appetite may be due not so much to the current pathological process as to psychosomatics);
endocrine diseases;
pathological processes in the pancreas;
chronic renal failure;
food allergies;
and colon cancer;
celiac disease;
impaired metabolism;
chronic gastrointestinal disorders;
full or partial.

Separately, it is worth highlighting etiological factors that can also lead to loss of appetite, but are not diseases:

pregnancy, especially early stages;
teething in children - in this case, poor appetite may be present from 3 months to 3 years;
frequent stress, almost constant nervous tension;
physical fatigue.

A complete lack of appetite can be observed in disorders psychological nature, in particular for the following diseases:

seasonal affective disorder;
chronic depression;
dementia;
schizoaffective disorder.

Lack of appetite during early pregnancy is not always a sign of a specific disease - it may be normal reaction body on physiological changes and perestroika hormonal levels. However, if such a clinical manifestation occurs for quite a long time and additional symptoms are present, you should immediately consult a doctor. This condition in pregnant women is dangerous not only for their health, but also for the development of the fetus.

Classification

There are these types of loss of appetite:

anorexia – total loss appetite;
partial reduction;
change in taste.

Regardless of what form occurs, you need to consult a doctor for examination. Timely diagnosis will help eliminate the disease in a timely manner or even prevent its development.

Symptoms

If the deterioration of appetite in an adult or child is not caused by a pathological process in the body, then additional clinical picture will be missing. Symptoms will develop only with prolonged fasting, which will be due to the lack of necessary for the body substances for normal functioning.

At diabetes mellitus poor appetite will be accompanied by the following clinical picture:

weight loss, accompanied by deterioration or complete lack of appetite;
constant thirst;
frequent urination;
itchy skin;
dizziness, increased fatigue;
sleep cycle disturbance;
in women there is a disorder menstrual cycle;
men may develop impotence;
aggravation of existing chronic illnesses;
itching in the perineal area;
long-term cure for infectious diseases;
slow healing of various mechanical damage skin;
numbness of the limbs, swelling;
pain in the heart area, which can spread to the entire chest;
Children experience a lack of weight and height gain, even with adequate food intake.

If the cause of deterioration in appetite is gastritis and similar diseases, then the following clinical picture may occur:

abdominal pain, its nature and location will depend on the underlying factor;
nausea, which is often accompanied. In most cases, vomiting occurs after eating food. May contain impurities of blood and bile;
violation of stool frequency and consistency - diarrhea, long-term constipation. IN feces ah may be present undigested food, blood, mucus;
weakness, decreased performance;
change in taste;
, With unpleasant smell;
obstruction of food through the intestines, so a person often has to drink it down;
aversion to food, since quite often eating food provokes new attacks of nausea and vomiting;
low-grade fever bodies;
increased sweating.

It should also be understood that frequent bouts of vomiting and diarrhea lead to dehydration, which is life-threatening and can be fatal in the absence of timely medical care.

Complete loss of appetite may indicate the development of anorexia, whether nervous or caused by other factors. etiological factors. In this case, deterioration in appetite will be accompanied by the following clinical picture:

low blood pressure;
weakness, fatigue, apathetic state;
low temperature body, which is why the patient may complain of a feeling of coldness in the arms and legs;
the person feels almost constantly nauseous;
frequent fainting, dizziness;
fragility of hair and nails, increased susceptibility of the skin to mechanical stress;
swelling of the legs and arms, even in the absence of physical activity or static load;
hair loss;
stool disorder - frequent constipation may be followed by bouts of diarrhea;
unpleasant smell from oral cavity;
flatulence;
abdominal pain;
menstrual irregularities;
decreased sex drive;
a person tries to eat separately, constantly strives to reduce his portion;
pathological fear of gaining weight, even if there are no obvious factors for this;
the patient begins to wear baggy clothes to hide his apparent fatness.

If the patient has a history of chronic diseases, then their exacerbation will be observed. It is also necessary to understand that if adequate treatment is not started in a timely manner, then the stage of development of cachexia begins, which is characterized by complete exhaustion organism and in itself is an irreversible pathological process.

Decreased appetite in older people may be characterized as age-related changes and the development of dementia. The clinical picture of this disease also includes a deterioration in appetite followed by complete exhaustion. In the majority of cases this leads to death.

Lack of appetite in an adult can be caused by hepatitis, which will be characterized by the following symptoms:

jaundice skin and sclera;
frequent urination, urine becomes saturated dark color;
dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract;
instability of the menstrual cycle;
weakness, irritability;
heaviness in the right hypochondrium;
decreased performance, apathy.

Similar symptoms can also be observed in the extreme stages of development of the disease, which leads to cirrhosis of the liver. In this case, a sharp loss of body weight will be added to the overall clinical picture.

A clinical manifestation such as lack of appetite may be present in celiac disease, which will be characterized by the following additional symptoms:

attacks of diarrhea, up to 6 times a day. Feces may be black in color due to the admixture of blood;
, increased flatulence;
paroxysmal pain in the navel area;
nausea with vomiting;
weakness;
skin rash;
increased susceptibility to infections, which will be characterized by frequent stomatitis, slow healing wounds;
dry skin, peeling;
menstrual irregularities in women, impotence in men;
migraine attacks, frequent depression, unstable psycho-emotional state of a person.

In more in rare cases Against the background of such a clinical picture, hepatitis of infectious etiology may develop.

At food allergies lack of appetite will be symptomatic and the clinical picture will be almost identical food poisoning. In addition to this, there may be a rash on the body, itching, and increased lacrimation.

Regardless of the exact clinical picture, if you have lost your appetite, you should seek medical help and not self-medicate.

Diagnostics

In this case it is required comprehensive diagnostics, which may include the following laboratory and instrumental research methods:

general analysis urine and blood;
blood test for hormones;
blood test for the presence of allergens and sugar;
expanded biochemical analysis blood;
Ultrasound of organs abdominal cavity;
liver tests;
diagnostics thyroid gland;
test for HIV and STDs.

Depending on the current symptoms and the collected medical history, the diagnostic program may change. A doctor can determine the exact reason why appetite disappears only after conducting all the necessary tests.

Treatment

To eliminate the underlying cause, both conservative and radical treatment methods can be used. IN drug therapy may include the following drugs:

antiemetics;
to improve gastric motility;
high-calorie nutritional mixtures (required if the elderly or children have no appetite);
antibiotics;
sorbents;
antispasmodics;
inhibitors proton pump;
antidiarrheal.

If the underlying factor is a gastroenterological disease, then dietary nutrition may be included in the treatment.

Application is no exception folk remedies to eliminate this clinical manifestation. In this case you can use the following:

inclusion of fresh greens in the diet, as they stimulate appetite well;
herbal infusions from lemon balm, chamomile, peppermint, motherwort.

Before using such products, you should definitely consult with your doctor, since a person may be allergic to certain components. Also, some components are contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Prevention

Focused preventive recommendations no, since this is only a clinical manifestation of a nonspecific nature, and not a separate ailment. In general, you need to adhere to the diet that is optimal for the body and not self-medicate. You also need to systematically go through preventive examinations from doctors, which will help prevent the disease or begin its treatment in a timely manner.

Similar materials

Poor appetite in a child is a phenomenon that can act as a sign of a certain pathological process, and be a consequence of certain physiological factors. It should also be noted that a decrease in appetite in a child may not always be caused by a gastroenterological disease. Only a doctor can establish the exact etiology after examination. Self-medication is unacceptable.

Appetite is a physiological process that occurs in healthy person three times a day. At normal operation body, you should experience a feeling of hunger regularly in the morning, at lunch and in the evening, but if you have, you need to look for reasons inside the body.

It is thanks to the fact that we experience hunger that we develop an appetite, thanks to which we can saturate our body with the necessary nutrients.

There are two types of appetite:

Specialized? the body needs certain foods, as it needs to be satiated specifically with proteins, carbohydrates or fats.
General? the body requires any food.

It often happens that we don’t want to eat, then this may indicate some kind of disease. But very important point in this case, see the difference between an imbalance of appetite and a conscious refusal to eat. For example, if you eat pasta every day for a certain period, then over time, when you see this dish, your appetite will go away. If this is not observed, you should consult a doctor in case of low appetite or lack thereof.

A long-term lack of appetite can negatively affect your health, since if you are losing weight or are sick, your body will not receive enough food. necessary microelements and nutrients.

Dyslexia - all types of lack of appetite. In case of decreased appetite - hyperoxia, its enormous growth - hyperrexia (read about what blocks appetite if you have hyperrexia). The worst thing is anorexia - a complete absence of the latter, practically a refusal to eat regularly. These diseases affect girls who chase illusory beauty in the hope of losing what they think are extra pounds. But in this pursuit of fashion, they bring their bodies to complete physical exhaustion.

Common Causes of Loss of Appetite

Heat. A completely common and understandable phenomenon. In summer, the body uses energy more slowly, so you want to eat much less often. If you notice a loss of appetite, you can safely wait until the first cold weather begins.
Movement deficiency. In this case, you should not worry, but strengthen your daily physical activity. Paradoxically, a person needs to constantly be on the move to control his health.
Stress and overload. We spend our time in the daily pursuit of time, which we are sorely lacking. This is especially true for women who need to have time to feed their family, go to work, take care of children and household chores, and also not forget about taking care of themselves. As a result, the world revolves around us, and we are in it, like squirrels in a wheel. Often, we simply don’t have time to eat or simply don’t even want to anymore. Refusing lunch or dinner, over time we will notice that there is actually no appetite. This is the first sign of a disease called stressorexia. 20–40 years is the age of women in whom it most often occurs this disease. And the reasons are very simple: your body is tired, it needs rest, but instead it is overwhelmed permanent job. As a result, appetite disappears. “Stressorexia” is a complex of stress, depression and anorexia. If you take care of your appearance and notice the first signs of this disease in yourself, do not rejoice prematurely. Refusing to eat will not help you look slim and young. As a rule, the result can be a complex chronic diseases. So best advice in this case, relax more often and enjoy life.
Consequences of using the medicine. Everyone knows that you need to carefully read the instructions and side effects from the use of medicine. If you notice loss of appetite when you start taking any medication, consult your doctor. He will tell you what can be done in this case: replace the medicine, shorten the period of use, etc.
Gastrointestinal tract disorder. It's not like that rare phenomenon in our time. After all, you will agree that you often, instead of a full lunch, are content with quick snacks in the form of a bun or a sandwich. If your stomach stops, immediately go on a diet. Instead of snacks, eat soups, vegetables, and fish. And even if you have no appetite in the morning, you need to stimulate and activate your stomach, for example, by eating cottage cheese.
Pregnancy. It is worth remembering one more reason. In the first trimester, a pregnant woman may lose her appetite, especially during toxicosis, due to a lack of iron and folic acid. In this case, it is useful to eat buckwheat, salads, apples, cabbage.
Diseases. It is unfortunate, but the consequence of many diseases can be a lack of appetite. For example, heart disease, kidney and liver disease, infections, disease, cancer, as well as problems related to the thyroid gland.

Video on the topic - what is appetite:

The term appetite means the desire to eat. This is a signal to the body about the need to replenish the amount nutrients. To maintain health and provide essential microelements nutrition should be balanced and timely. This becomes difficult if a person suddenly loses the desire to eat, and the thought of food, like food, causes discomfort. This indicates a painful condition. At feeling good When a person is cheerful and energetic, eating is a pleasant and joyful ritual.

A person needs medical support if there is no appetite for more than 2 weeks. The doctor will determine why your appetite has disappeared and prescribe competent treatment. Appetite cannot disappear for no reason, anyone healthy body experiences positive emotions while eating.

To realize that your appetite has really decreased and find the root cause, determine what the phenomenon is expressed in:

A person is not overtaken by the feeling of hunger. The desire to eat appears after the brain's neurons signal that reinforcement is required. If there is no signal, it means that there is a malfunction in the functioning of some organs.
Nausea, vomiting. The body causes these processes to cleanse the contents of the stomach in case of danger to human health. This symptom is extremely important because... in combination with other signs allows you to establish a diagnosis.
Impotence. Occurs when the body is weakened as a result of illness, severe physical or mental stress. It is difficult for a person to perform daily rituals self-care, quickly gets tired, the body protects itself from even greater fatigue, without wasting energy even on digesting food.

Reasons

Lack of appetite is a factor different types diseases or a logical pattern in the functioning of the human body. In adults, there are different preconditions for eating disorders.

Non-pathological:

Pathological

Caused by the presence of diseases, these include the following reasons:

What to do if you have poor appetite

If the condition is not critical, it does not require medical intervention, to increase appetite, it is suggested to use the following methods:

Drink at least 1.5-2 liters of water daily, this will help speed up your metabolism and increase your appetite.
Accelerate food digestion with the support of drugs - Pancreatin, Mezim. They will help process leftover food that is not digested by the body on its own.
At premenstrual syndrome For women, nettle infusions, chamomile tea, and cranberry juice will help.
At viral diseases, ARVI take antibacterial drugs. Maintain a water-drinking balance to remove toxins from the body as quickly as possible.
Set up the system proper nutrition. Replace fast food with healthy food, eat more often, in small portions, give up fatty foods, eat only lean meat and fresh vegetables, eat on time, do not go hungry.
Completely complete every year medical examination, follow the recommendations prescribed by your doctor.

You cannot force yourself to eat, this will make the situation even worse. Only food that is eaten with pleasure is healthy; a meal should bring only pleasant sensations.

Do not self-medicate if you experience poor appetite long time, for more than 2 weeks. You need to seek help from a therapist. After testing, it is possible to identify and eliminate the cause of the disease. If pathologies requiring more highly specialized treatment are identified, the doctor will refer you to the appropriate specialist.

Often complaints of decreased appetite require the help of a psychologist, psychotherapist, or neurologist. Appetite may disappear due to disorders of the human psyche, which determines conscious and unconscious behavior. Clinical depression requires medication.

Modern methods of treatment for difficulties in eating normalize the condition, restore appetite, give satisfaction from food, which improves a person’s quality of life. Health automatically significantly improves the standard of living, a person becomes more efficient, and solving current problems is much easier for him than for someone exhausted by starvation.

Danger of loss of appetite

To understand the danger and possible harm For a body that causes prolonged hunger, it is important to understand why meals are so important. Food is the connecting element of the human body with the outside world. She performs vitally important functions. Firstly, it provides energy for body processes. Secondly, it reproduces new cells that help cover energy expenditure, increase the body’s resistance to diseases, and assist in the formation of enzymes and hormones. And finally, they contribute to the coordinated functioning of the internal processes of the body. Decreased appetite upsets the harmonious balance in the body of necessary useful substances, leads to dehydration of the body. If sugar does not enter the body, then an excess of ketone bodies is formed in the human body, which become toxic. Constant refusal of food leads to anorexia, a disorder that leads people to death.

An interesting fact is that during hunting, during hunting, the level of substances necessary for life in the body of our ancestors decreased, so that in the process of obtaining food, the need for food became critical. Now people have no longer the need to obtain food through hunting; the time and frequency of meals now depends on the appearance of appetite.

Loss of appetite is not a harmless manifestation, as it sometimes seems. If, along with a reluctance to eat, you experience nausea, stool upset, heartburn, flatulence, or bad breath, immediately consult a doctor. If you notice at least two of the listed symptoms, this may indicate gastritis or an ulcer. Ignoring the signs leads to serious complications, which can result in irreversible consequences. Delaying treatment is extremely dangerous.

Appetite is a natural physiological process that is just as necessary for the normal functioning of the human body as daily use food. Loss of appetite and any refusal to eat, or an acute aversion to familiar dishes and foods is a sign pathological condition digestive system caused by a number of specific diseases, poor lifestyle of a particular person, work disorders endocrine gland or mental disorders. It is most dangerous when lack of appetite is associated with rapid weight loss. In this case, it is possible that the patient may encounter acute form anorexia.

In order to install causative factor, which influenced the lack of desire to eat food, it is necessary to understand that almost always behind such pathological behavior of the gastrointestinal organs is serious illness human digestive system, or short-term malfunction internal organs.

Based on long-term practice, it has been established that the most common cause of loss of appetite in adults is the following:

This common reasons, capable of causing loss of appetite in adults, regardless of their social status, physical activity or work conditions. Most often, these factors are present in the lives of active segments of the population. These are young people whose age ranges from 20 to 45 years.

There are also separate categories of patients in whom the causes of loss of appetite are the specifics of the course physiological processes in the body.

In older people

This is a separate category of patients who have no appetite due to the fact that, due to old age, there is a natural slowdown in metabolism in almost all cells and tissues of internal organs. The digestive system is no exception and also reacts with a slow metabolism. As a result of this, the elderly person long period may not feel the urge to eat for a while, but the total body weight is within stable limits and practically does not change.

The occurrence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which were described in the section on general causative factors, is also not excluded.

In both the first and second cases, you will need to undergo a comprehensive examination of the body in order to avoid the development of much more serious complications, since stable and rational nutrition V old age- this is the key to longevity.

Lack of appetite during pregnancy

In women carrying a child, the appearance of indifference to food is most often caused by temporary disruptions in work endocrine system, a surge or decrease in key sex and digestive hormones. Against this background, toxicosis appears, a negative reaction not only to previously favorite foods, but also to various types of strong odors. In most cases this state observed in pregnant women different periods first trimester of pregnancy and soon goes away without the use of special medicines.

What to do if you have no appetite - how to increase it?

In order to stabilize the digestive system, you can use special biological supplements in order to maintain the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract, or when much more serious pathologies are detected, the doctor prescribes medications with specific action.

Vitamins

The selection of a vitamin-mineral complex is based on exactly what symptoms were identified in the patient based on the results initial examination, Also, the type of drug largely depends on the degree of activity of the patient’s lifestyle, the presence or absence of bad habits. Most often, adults who complain of loss of appetite are prescribed vitamin supplements such as:

If necessary, the attending gastroenterologist may decide to prescribe to the patient vitamin preparation another type with additional content of one, two or more useful substances. Most medications in this group are taken orally once a day, 1 capsule. The approximate course of treatment is 20-30 days.

Tablets and special preparations

Tablets and other medications with a certain spectrum of action are prescribed to a patient who complains of loss of appetite only if, according to the results comprehensive survey it was found that the cause of the pathological condition in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is caused by the presence of a specific disease.

If patients have oncological tumors that violate stable work gastrointestinal tract, chemical drugs are used, which are prescribed based on a previously developed scheme therapeutic effects on cancerous tumor. Depending on the identified pathology, other categories of medications may be used.

Do I need to see a doctor and get tested?

A sudden loss of appetite for a short period of time, lasting no longer than 1 day, is not always a sign of any disease. It is quite possible that these are biochemical changes that are caused by physical fatigue, an improperly formed diet, the use of medications or alcoholic beverages.

If this condition continues for 2-3 days and the person does not regain the strong desire to eat food, then in this case it is necessary to make an appointment with a gastroenterologist.

This is a specialized doctor whose responsibilities include the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases of the digestive system. The specialist will perform a preliminary examination of the patient and then offer to take the following types tests:

clinical trial blood taken from a finger;
biochemical study of composition venous blood;
general analysis of stool;
X-ray image of organs located in the cavity chest;
electrocardiogram;
morning urine given on an empty stomach;
gastroscopy of the stomach;
endoscopic examination intestines.

If necessary, the attending physician may decide to prescribe the patient to undergo other or additional diagnostic techniques in order to obtain even more comprehensive information about the patient’s health status and establish the real reason lack of appetite.

To the question: “An adult has no appetite, why?” there are many answers.

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

The difference between hunger and appetite

Before diagnosing loss of appetite, it is important to understand the concept. Appetite is often confused with hunger, a reflex that occurs in the absence of food.

The mechanism of hunger development is triggered by a decrease in glucose levels, which causes a signal to be sent to the centers of the brain. When a hunger spasm occurs, a person actively salivates, their sense of smell improves, and pulling sensation"in the pit of the stomach"

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

A 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 sends a signal that the body needs to take food. It contains neurons that carry a signal to the digestive organs.

In the body of an individual experiencing a feeling of hunger, Insulin levels are increased and active production is underway gastric juice . The absence of hunger indicates that the brain is working on other needs. Decreased appetite – protection against certain diseases digestive system.

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

Causes of decreased appetite

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

Pathological causes

Most often, poor appetite in adults indicates illness.

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

TO pathological reasons decreased appetite include:

Intestinal dysbiosis. Beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms. If their balance is disturbed, the body does not receive the necessary microelements from food.
Endocrine problems. Lack of hormones leads to nausea and vomiting. As a result, the person becomes weak and loses appetite.
Chronic gastrointestinal diseases. Similar symptoms indicate a stomach ulcer, gastritis,. At the first signs of exacerbation of diseases, you should undergo preventive treatment.
Mental problems, neuroses. High workload, stress, lack of rest and moral support lead to apathy and depression. These problems are often accompanied by weakness, nausea, fatigue and lack of appetite.
Intoxication of the body. Harmful bacteria can provoke intoxication, as a result of which a person will feel weak and aversion to food.
Cardiovascular diseases. Wear and tear of blood vessels provokes general weakness body, and high blood pressure causes nausea.
Drug addiction. The need to constantly take medications makes gastrointestinal tract work hard. Because of this, gastritis, ulcers, and pancreatic pathologies may appear.
Oncology. During chemotherapy, many processes malfunction, especially in the functioning of the digestive organs.
Viruses and infections in the body. When illness occurs, there is often a significant decrease in appetite, as energy is directed toward fighting viruses. To large number toxins did not lead to weakness and nausea, you should maintain fluid balance, namely drink plenty of fluids.

Non-pathological causes

Natural reasons 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;
not needed medical care, taking medications;
absent negative impact for 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:

Menstruation. During this period female body particularly susceptible to the influence of hormones. Sharp increase levels of estrogen and progesterone provoke weakness and loss of appetite. At the end of the cycle, abdominal cramps and headaches are often added to these symptoms.
Overeating. Absence good nutrition during the day leads to an increase in appetite at night. The gastrointestinal tract organs were not exposed to stress all day, so in the evening, when preparing the body for sleep, the food consumed can cause bad dream, nausea and vomiting. All this will lead to a decrease in appetite.
Prolonged fasting. If a person voluntarily refuses to eat, this can cause nausea and weakness. Since in for a long time food does not enter, the secretion produced negatively affects the mucous membrane, irritating it. In the absence of food, performance decreases and weakness and loss of strength appear.

Diagnosis of poor appetite

Normal functioning is ensured by balance, which is an alternation of feelings of hunger and appetite. Violation normal condition for any reason leads to a decrease in appetite, and then a feeling of hunger.

Eating high-calorie foods can increase the interval between the onset of the desire to eat 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, and loss of strength.

To diagnose the cause of loss of appetite, you should consult a doctor. He will appoint full examination body, including testing. If a woman has a problem with appetite, pregnancy should first be ruled out.

Video - How to gain weight when you have no appetite?

What can you do to increase your appetite?

The reasons that provoked the loss of appetite and were identified during diagnosis are eliminated therapeutic methods. Parallel Doctors advise the patient to adhere to the following recommendations:

Follow a meal schedule. You need to eat several times a day in small portions. You should have dinner no later than three hours before bedtime. Daily meal in certain time will promote the production of saliva and prepare the body to absorb food.
Food should be chewed slowly, without being distracted by extraneous stimuli (TV, computer). You should use attractive table settings, work on beautiful design dishes.
Food should be tasty and varied.
When fighting poor appetite, it is very important to follow a daily routine: sleep at least eight hours, do not forget about rest. Physical activity V mild form welcome, as sport stimulates the urge to eat.
Stress should be avoided conflict situations, bad emotions.
In order for digestive juice to be produced more actively, you need to eat foods that stimulate this process, for example, pickled and salty foods. Spices, hot seasonings, herbs, sour berries, foods with high content vitamins B and C, decoctions and infusions of bitter herbs.

Loss of appetite in old age

Lack of need to eat and persistent loss of appetite can occur in older people. Pensioners often limit themselves to healthy and nutritious foods due to financial problems. In addition, with age, it weakens, diarrhea begins, and the functioning of the receptors worsens. The body begins to digest food poorly.

The above factors affect appetite. To avoid problems with the gastrointestinal tract, you need to increase the number of easily digestible foods. The menu should include stewed vegetables, porridge, fish, meat low-fat varieties. Elderly people should remove fatty and fried foods, do not eat large portions and, if necessary, use a blender to grind food.

How to increase your child's appetite

Adults often have problems feeding their baby due to his refusal to eat. To increase children's appetite, you can take the following measures:

create an optimal diet age appropriate and the characteristics of the child;
maintain a meal schedule;
spend several hours a day in the fresh air;
include outdoor games and sports in the daily routine;
attractively design children's dishes;
add fruits and dried fruits to porridge;
do not force feed the child;
do not overfeed the baby;
reduce the number of snacks on cookies and other starchy foods;
Place small portions on a plate.

If the lack of appetite continues for several days, you should not look for the cause and treat it yourself. The specialist will quickly determine what is causing the loss of appetite and prescribe medications to increase it.