Loss Of Appetite: Why Does It Appear?

Who has not happened to? Feeling a sudden (or gradual) loss of appetite. It is a symptom that can become normal if it happens at specific moments in our lives. However, when this becomes recurrent or intense, we must go to a doctor so as not to put our health at risk.

We have collected here some of the possible causes that would explain the loss of appetite. As we will see, these are both medical and psychological causes (sometimes there is even a combination of them).

Loss of appetite: why does it appear?

Before delving into the possible causes that can explain the loss of appetite, let’s explain what it consists of. It occurs when the desire to eat decreases or disappears. The abnormal loss of appetite, according to the RAE (Real Academia Española de la Lengua), is called anorexia (which we should not confuse with ED-eating disorder- which receives the same name).

Although the loss of appetite can happen at different times in our lives (and it does not have to be worrying) -for example, because we are going through a specific time of stress-, if this occurs repeatedly or intensely, the situation could lead us to get sick. Thus, when this occurs, it is recommended to go to a medical professional to evaluate our case.

But why does the loss of appetite appear? We are going to list some of its possible causes, although, we insist, each case in particular should be evaluated.

Infectious diseases

There are certain infectious diseases that could explain a loss of appetite, especially those that affect the digestive tract, inhibiting cravings for food.

Some of them are those derived from food poisoning. On the other hand, certain food intolerances, such as lactose or gluten, could also decrease appetite when an episode appears.

Intense emotional stress

When we live in situations (or times) of intense emotional stress, a loss of appetite can also occur. Emotional stress can arise as a consequence of multiple causes : immigration process, change or loss of employment, moving, loss or death of a loved one, love breakup, falling in love, birth of a child, etc. That is, both positive and negative situations can generate this emotional stress.

Drug side effects

A loss of appetite can also occur due to the side effects of certain medications, such as those produced by weight loss drugs or psychostimulants (to treat disorders such as ADHD). On the other hand, chemotherapy can also cause this symptom.

Other diseases

There are certain diseases that can also cause loss of appetite or decreased appetite. The kidney or heart failure and hepatitis would some of these diseases and HIV, as suggested by a study Dominguez, Nold, Llorente and Ramirez (2011) conducted by the Higher Institute of Medical Sciences of Santiago .

Another disease that would explain a reduction in appetite is cancer. Sometimes loss of appetite occurs in advanced stages of the disease (such as heart or kidney failure). Others, at the beginning of it.

Mental disorders

Some mental disorders could also explain the origin of the loss of appetite. The most frequent are depression, dysthymia, anorexia, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia …

The state of mind

A low mood could also explain a sudden loss of appetite ; This is revealed by a study by Baena, Sandoval, Urbina, Juárez and Villaseñor (2005). Thus, when we are “down” or sadder, we tend to be less hungry (although there are people who experience just the opposite, who eat more).

Old age

Old age is a stage in life where loss of appetite appears frequently (Bofill, 2005). In these cases, it is called hyporexia (it also includes loss of appetite in children).

Some of the causes that would explain hyporexia in older people are, on the one hand, that elderly people tend to perceive less smells and tastes, and on the other, certain social and personal circumstances (loss of loved ones, feeling of loneliness and / or abandonment, side effects of some drugs, etc.).

The time of year (summer)

In summer a loss of appetite occurs more frequently ; This is so because at this time the body does not need as much food to keep warm (which does not happen in winter, for example). In addition, the metabolism can slow down and therefore we would lose the desire to eat.

On the contrary, what happens in winter? That we are hungrier because our body needs more food to conserve heat and more energy to burn and maintain body temperature.

Loss of appetite: listening to our body

As we can see, the causes that would explain why we feel a sudden or gradual, temporary or prolonged loss of appetite are very varied: from intense or negative emotional states, to stressful situations, through medical illnesses or mental disorders.

What matters here, to avoid putting our health at risk, is to be attentive to our body and observe our symptoms, as well as our vital situations, mood, etc. This vigilance will make it easier for us to ask for help when we need it.