This week I have experienced some loss of appetite, which is
not usually something I have trouble with. Therefore, this week I would like to
explore the causes of loss of appetite, particularly with a bad belly like
mine, and share my thoughts on how to manage this symptom.
COMMON CAUSES OF LOSS OF APPETITE
There are many possible causes of loss of appetite, and I
have listed the most common ones below (summarised from here,
here
and here):
- Bacterial or viral infection
- Stress
- PMS
- Hypothyroidism
- Pregnancy
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Side effect from medication
- Depression
- Kidney, liver or heart disease
- Colon cancer
- Eating disorders
When looking at this list, I think that my problems with loss
of appetite this week have been mainly caused by stress from work, as I have
taken on a new role at work recently, and it has been very tiring. I am pretty sure that I do not have an
infection or cancer, am not pregnant or suffering from an eating disorder, and
do not have kidney, liver or heart disease. Also, I am generally excited about
my new role, so I don’t think depression is a factor.
As previously
discussed, stress can also exacerbate the symptoms of IBS and IBD, and I
did also have quite a bad belly week in general. Additionally, loss of appetite
is also common with both IBS and IBD. In particular, loss of appetite can be
caused by many of the other symptoms or complications of these two conditions –
bloating, nausea, pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and even mouth ulcers. You can read
more about the relationship between appetite and IBS here,
and with IBD here.
MANAGING APPETITE
Although some people might say it can be useful to lose
weight, and look for appetite
suppressants when on a diet, loss of appetite is generally not a good
thing. It is especially
problematic for people with bowel conditions, as the body may already be
missing out on some nutrients.
Therefore, I believe it is important to find ways to increase
appetite when experiencing loss of appetite. Here is a list of possible ways to
treat loss of appetite (summarised from here,
here
and here):
- Treating the underlying condition, usually with medication
- Eating smaller meals, to help avoid bloating
- Eating food you enjoy
- Eating bitter foods, which can stimulate digestion
- Eating foods that can help settle the stomach
- Maintaining a regular meal schedule
- Creating a relaxing environment when eating
Additionally, there are ways to prevent loss of appetite from
occurring, as discussed here
and here.
In particular, these methods include changing your eating habits, avoiding
stress, exercising, keeping hydrated, changing your routine, or adjusting
medications.
Do you have any tips for managing your appetite? Share below.