Some Need To Know Facts About Loss of Appetite (Anorexia)
Feel hungry most of the time but don’t feel like eating whenever you look at food? Well then don’t worry, for you are not alone out there. Nearly 1 in every 10 individuals face a similar problem, most commonly called as loss of appetite (medical term: anorexia).
And there are hordes of seemingly normal reasons that can possible cause this issue to arise in individuals.
Loss of Appetite and Reasons for the same:
Most individuals develop frequent hunger pangs that go unsatisfied due to their decreased desire to eat food. And people who tend to develop this issue face a series of other health related ailments that arise due to their decreased appetite (which would naturally mean less food intake).
While there are many reasons for loss of appetite, the more common causes for the same can be broadly classified into two main categories. These include stress and medical problems.
Anxiety, pressure, depression and other forms of mental stress can cause an individual to lose his/ her appetite. Remember all those times when you felt butterflies in your stomach just before an impending event and couldn’t eat at all? Well, these issues are somewhat similar to those instances!
Medical ailments are huge contributors to the issue as well. An individual suffering from health related issues, including metabolic disorders, vitamin deficiency, nausea/sickness, inflammation, hormonal imbalances, bowel diseases, loss of taste, and brain damage etc. generally faces a sharp decline in the urge to eat foods and even shies away from his/her favorite snacks.
Certain prescribed and over the counter medications are also known to cause loss of appetite in individuals who, most of the time, fail to recognize that it could most probably be an effect of the medications they take on a regular basis.
Other possible reasons for loss of appetite in an individual can be attributed to certain diseases that need to be treated beforehand before he/she can start undergoing treatment for anorexia. Accordingly, some diseases that are known to cause the issue in adults include cancer, dementia, heartburn, yellow fever, peptic ulcer and stroke etc.
Need to Know Fact:
Most of the time, loss of appetite leads to more dangerous issues, merely because of the fact that the individual in question either ignores the symptoms as and when they start occurring, or is oblivious to the same, dismissing the issues as temporary sicknesses that would fade away with time.
It is highly recommended that a person acts fast as soon as he/she starts experiencing a curbed desire to eat foods. If left unnoticed, loss of appetite would lead to the body losing out on essential nutrients and water; and may lead to several other issues in the long run, with the worst case scenario being the deterioration of the body’s immune system.
Home Remedies you can opt for
Remember this! Professional advice and treatment is considered the best option for any medical disorder. However, there are always a few suitable alternates that enable you to take care of the issue for the moment before you seek medical advice. Here are a few well known home remedies for anorexia which you can try out.
Bitter Gourd:
Most of us shun bitter gourd. However, this extremely nutritious vegetable contains plenty of lectins, momordicines and chanrantines; substances that help improve the functioning of the body’s digestive tract in addition to preventing intestinal and digestive disorders. A normal digestive tract and function would naturally increase your appetite.
Cinnamon:
This wonder spice contains a natural appetite stimulator called hydroxychalcone that would work wonders for your curbed hunger. Add a small amount of cinnamon to your daily diet (you can use the spice on foods like wheat bread, cocoa or apples) in order to get relief from the issue.
Orange Peels:
Next time you eat oranges, make sure to go for the peels as well, which are as nutritious as the fruit inside. Orange peels are abundant sources of glycosides which help to increase your appetite in many ways. These include improving digestion, lessening flatulence and stimulating the lymphatic system.
If you don’t prefer eating raw orange peels, you can grate them using a cheese grater or grind them to form a paste. Add them to water and then drink the solution. Opt for a glass of the same every morning for maximum benefit.
Fruits:
Alternatively, you can also eat a piece of fruit or drink a glass of fresh fruit juice about an hour before your meal. Fruits contain natural sugars that help to increase the blood sugar levels in the body. Once the blood sugar levels start falling, the body automatically sends a signal to mind, initiating a hunger pang which would enable you to eat more in order to restore burnt energy.
Medications you can try out
There are several over the counter medications you can opt for in order to increase your appetite. Be forewarned though that some of these drugs could have unnecessary sife effects. It is therefore recommended that you get the same checked out by a professional before you start the course.
Slippery Elm Bark Tablets:
These tablets contain polysaccharides that help to increase your appetite by improving digestion and preventing undesirable effects like nausea, sickness etc. that cause anorexia. Take two 500 mg tablets with your meals on a daily basis.
Dandelion Root Tablets:
The insulin present in dandelion root is powerful appetite stimulant. This natural substance improves the body’s digestive function while acting as a mild laxative. The recommended dosage is either one 500 mg capsule or one 750 mg capsule (according to the severity of the issue) with meals on a daily basis.
Astragalus Tablets:
A natural herb, astragalus is a rich source of flavonoids; compounds which stimulate the digestive tract and strengthen the same; resulting in an increased appetite. Astragalus tablets are very good appetite stimulants and you can take a 500 mg capsule everyday with your food for maximum benefit.
Yarrow Flower Tablets:
An energy stimulant, yarrow flower in the tablet form is a wonderful remedy for almost any kind of digestive disorder. In addition to improving the functioning of the digestive system, these tablets fill your body with plenty of energy. This in turn causes a sudden increase in appetite which enables you to eat more at each meal. Take two 325 mg tablets with your food on a daily basis.
Zinc Supplements:
It has been found that zinc deficiency in the body can sometimes lead to anorexia. Individuals suffering from zinc deficiency lose their sense of taste, which in turn affects their desire to eat to a great extent. An 80 mg zinc supplement on a daily basis can be considered good in combating anorexia.
Vitamin B Complex:
These tablets help increase your appetite by increasing the amount of calories needed by your body on a day to day basis for normal functioning. A 100 mg capsule a day would work wonders for your appetite. Of course you would not want to go for this option if you don’t want to gain weight.
Additional Precautions
In addition to opting for medications, professional advice and remedies, there are some other precautions you need to take in order to combat anorexia.
Eat More:
Try to eat more food at each meal even if you feel full. Eating more food would enable your stomach to stretch more, which in turn would help increase your appetite. If you find it difficult to stuff yourself at one go, take sufficient breaks in between.
Keep increasing your food intake on a regular basis until you feel you have reached the desired limit. Be forewarned though that this option could go in either ways. So be consistent, but careful in your progress, and know when to stop!
Exercising:
It is a known fact that exercises trigger massive hunger pangs. When you exercise, your body loses plenty of calories which can be replenished only when you eat. And so after a rigorous workout, your body automatically starts signaling that it needs energy; signals which come in the form of hunger pangs. Hence, if you want to increase your appetite, opt for exercises that would help you achieve the same with time.
Water at meals:
Most of us drink water before meals with the general notion that it would help us eat more. On the contrary, drinking water before a meal would actually curb your appetite by making you feel full beforehand. This in turn would restrict the amount of food you eat at each meal, leading to anorexia in the long run. And so, it is best recommended to restrict drinking water before or in between a meal. You can always satisfy your thirst after the meal.
Photo Credit- 4Ayurveda.com
