A healthy appetite can promote sufficient food and nutrient intake, emotional satisfaction and physical wellness. Though most people experience occasional, temporary loss of appetite, severe cases may indicate an underlying condition, such as anxiety disorder, depression, thyroid disease or cancer. Certain medications, such as antibiotics, prescription pain relievers and amphetamines can also trigger lost appetite. If loss of appetite is detracting from a person's emotional or physical well-being, he should seek prompt guidance from his doctor.
Emotional Causes
Emotional factors may contribute to loss of appetite. According to therapist and author of "Paradoxical Strategies in Psychotherapy," Leon F. Seltzer, anxiety and depression---psychological illnesses in which anxious or depressive emotions dampen your ability to function normally---can cause nearly full loss of appetite. Emotional factors unrelated to psychological illnesses, such as work, relationship or school-related stress and traumatic evens such as losing a loved one, can also contribute to appetite loss. In some cases, stress related to positive events, such as preparing for a wedding, pregnancy and falling in love, can also contribute.
Medications
Loss of appetite can occur as a side effect of certain medications. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, these include cough, cold and flu medications, antibiotics, antihistamines, such as ephedrine, chemotherapy medications and prescription pain pills, such as codeine, morphine and demerol. Stimulant medications used to treat attention deficient hyperactivity disorder and illegal amphetamines, such as crystal methadrine and speed, may also dampen appetite.
Medical Conditions
Illnesses, such as anorexia, cancer, chronic kidney disease, liver disease and hypothryroidism---a disease in which the body produces too few thyroid hormones---can trigger loss of appetite. According to the American Cancer Society, most chemotherapy treatments cause some level of anorexia---body weight 25 percent or more below the healthy weight range. When anorexia evolves as an eating disorder, appetite loss does not occur in the initial stages. Instead, people deny and resist their hunger while experiencing severe weight loss, obsession over dieting, distorted body image and depressive emotions. Eventually, their hunger mechanisms may shut down. When this occurs, the disease has progressed significantly.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Decreased Appetite Causes and Treatment
- "Psychology Today"; Anxiety and Depression--First Cousins, At Least;Leon F. Seltzer, Ph.D.; May 2010
- American Cancer Society: Appetite Loss and Weight Changes
- Gurze Books: Anorexia Nervosa Overview
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