Loss of appetite means you don't have the desire to eat, which is not a normal condition, and is called anorexia, according to MedlinePlus. Anorexia is different from the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, in which the patient has the desire to eat but refuses to because of body image issues. If your loss of appetite is accompanied by weight loss, you could have a more serious medical condition.
Conditions
Some conditions that are possibly indicated by a loss of appetite and weight loss include chronic diseases such as liver failure, kidney disease and failure, hypothyroidism, COPD, HIV, cancer or the use of certain medications and depression. Decreased appetite and weight loss is a common symptom among elderly people, many of whom also suffer from the same chronic diseases.
When to See a Doctor
You should see a doctor if you are losing weight without trying and if you have no appetite for even your favorite foods. If you notice your loved not having the desire to eat or refusing to eat at meal times, you should encourage him to visit a doctor. You should become concerned if this lack of appetite and weight loss is accompanied by feelings of depression, drug abuse or an eating disorder, according to MedlinePlus.
Tests
If your lack of appetite is caused by medication, your doctor may be able to try a different prescription to help you get back to eating and stop losing weight. Your doctor will likely ask you a series of questions to try to figure out the underlying cause of your lack of appetite and weight loss, including whether the onset was in conjunction with any major life events and if your lack of appetite and weight loss are in conjunction with any other symptoms. Your doctor may order blood tests, an abdominal ultrasound, kidney and liver function tests or a colonoscopy or upper endoscopy to rule out certain diseases and conditions.
Cancer Patients
Certain types of cancer are accompanied by a lack of appetite and weight loss, such as colon cancer, stomach cancer and pancreatic cancer. These cancers affect the digestive system, affecting the person's desire to eat and causing weight loss over time.
Prevention/Solution
If you are a person suffering from cancer who lacks and appetite and is losing weight, there are certain things you can do to get the nutrition you need on a daily basis, even if you don't feel hungry. Try foods that are higher in calories and easier to eat--such as puddings, ice cream and milkshakes--so the calories will last longer into the day. Avoid drinking liquids with meals as much as possible, as they make you feel more full as you eat. A small glass of alcohol before you eat may help your appetite, but check with your doctor to see if it's OK.
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