What Are The Causes Of Loss Of Appetite?

Feeling a sudden (or gradual) loss of appetite. Who has this never happened to? This is a symptom that can be considered normal if it happens at specific times in life. However, when it becomes recurrent or intense, we must go to the doctor so as not to put our health at risk.

Here are some of the possible causes that could explain the loss of appetite. As we shall see, these are both medical and psychological causes (sometimes there is even a combination of the two).

Loss of appetite: why does it happen?

Before we delve into the possible causes that might explain loss of appetite, let’s explain what it consists of. It occurs when the urge to eat diminishes or disappears. Abnormal loss of appetite, according to the RAE ( Real Academia Española de la Lengua ), is called anorexia (which we should not confuse with TCA – eating disorder – which receives the same name).

Although loss of appetite can happen at different times in our lives (and it doesn’t need to be worrying) – for example, because we are going through a specific time of stress -, if it occurs repeatedly or intensely, the situation can cause us to stay sick. So, when this happens, it is recommended to consult a doctor to evaluate the case.

Why does the loss of appetite appear? We will list some of its possible causes, although, we insist, each particular case must be evaluated.

Infectious diseases

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

Some are derived from food poisoning. In addition, certain food intolerances, such as lactose or gluten, can also decrease your appetite when an episode occurs.

intense emotional stress

When we experience situations (or moments) of intense emotional stress, loss of appetite can also occur. Emotional stress can arise from several causes : migratory process, job change or loss, moving, loss or death of a loved one, separation, passion, birth of a child, etc. That is, both positive and negative situations can generate this emotional stress.

Drug Side Effects

Loss of appetite can also occur due to the side effects of certain medications, such as those aimed at weight loss 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 you to lose or decrease your appetite. The  kidney and heart failure and hepatitis are part of some of these diseases, other than 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 could explain the reduced appetite is cancer. Loss of appetite sometimes occurs in advanced stages of the disease (such as heart or kidney failure). Other times, at the beginning.

mental disorders

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

the mood

Depressed mood can also explain a sudden loss of appetite. This was revealed by a study by Baena, Sandoval, Urbina, Juárez and Villaseñor (2005). Thus, when we are “down” or sadder, we tend to feel less hungry (although there are people who experience the exact opposite, and end up eating more).

Old age and loss of appetite

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

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

The time of year (summer)

In summer, lack of desire to eat occurs more often. That’s because, at that time, the body doesn’t need as much food to keep warm (which doesn’t happen in winter, for example). Also, metabolism can slow down and therefore we would lose the urge to eat.

And what happens in winter? We get hungrier because our bodies need 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 experience a sudden or gradual, transient or prolonged loss of appetite are very varied: from intense or negative emotional states to stressful situations, passing through medical illnesses or mental disorders.

What matters here, so as not to put our health at risk, is to pay attention to our body and observe our symptoms, as well as our life situations, mood, etc. This surveillance will make it easier for us to ask for help when we need it.