Appetite loss happens to everyone now and then. Sometimes we are a little sick and do not notice, or perhaps something is bothering us. However, when it has been so long since you have had any appetite that you can not remember the last time you were actually hungry, it is time to get help.
Causes of Appetite Loss
Here are a few of the common causes of appetite loss. This is not an exhaustive list! Be sure to see a doctor, just in case whatever has made you lose your appetite is serious.
- stomach or lung cancer
- liver problems
- malabsorption
- hiatus hernia
- zinc deficiency
- heart problem
- alcoholism
- anorexia nervosa
- depression
- anxiety
- stress
- grief
How to regain your appetite
1. Make sure you do not have a normal appetite.
A normal appetite will have periods of craving and periods in which normal foods sound boring. If you are losing weight quickly or finding that you do not crave food at all for a long time, however, this is a sign of a problem.
2. Take your vitamins
Vitamin deficiencies are common causes of appetite loss. Take a daily multivitamin and see if it helps. If you want to take a specific vitamin like zinc, vitamin E or vitamin B complex, ask a doctor to make sure it is safe.
3. Check your medications
Are you taking any medications? Some medications have the side effect of appetite loss! Ask your doctor for alternate medications in this case.
4. Eat what sounds good to you
Do you want to eat pizza? Then go ahead and eat pizza. As long as what you are eating overall is fairly balanced, you should be fine.
5. Eat less, but more frequently
The body more readily digests small meals more frequently than it does several large meals. Better digestion may help your appetite improve.
6. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day
If you are dehydrated, you can have a suppressed appetite. This is especially common when it is hot or you have been exercising.
7. Seek professional help
If none of this seems to be helping, you may have a serious problem so you should go to doctor for further treatment.
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