Food must be taken in sufficient quantity. Food is strength, health, intelligence, endurance. By skipping meals, we deprive the body of the substances it needs. Where else can you get strength other than from food? Unfortunately, man has not yet learned (and is unlikely to ever learn) to draw energy from sunlight for his body.

The reasons for which may be different, the problem is very common. In some cases, a person seems to understand that he will feel bad without food, but cannot bring himself to eat. We are not talking about any mental disorders (for example, anorexia), but about a state where there is no urge to eat.

It can appear completely unexpectedly in adults and children. In some cases, the cause is not always easy to determine. What to do if the reason is clear? You just need to eliminate it, and everything will return to normal.

Lack of appetite: reasons

Problems with eating may arise due to some illness. We are talking not only about stomach disorders or any other digestive organs - a common cold can lead to loss of appetite. When sick, a person cannot eat, but in order to recover, he needs to eat normally. So it turns out that in such a situation you need to eat even through force.

The loss of appetite, the causes of which we are considering, can be caused by severe stress. This is quite understandable, since severe stress affects the condition of the entire body. Other causes include mental disorders such as depression and apathy. They are directly related to the fact that a person loses the desire to live, move and strives in every possible way to distance himself from the world around him. The mood in such cases is always bad. Refusal to eat can last a very long time, and the consequences will be that you will lose weight and become weak. Without healthy food, it is very difficult to overcome a mental disorder.

Loss of appetite, the causes of which are not always easy to determine, often occurs in people who move very little. Try to work physically - you will instantly want to eat, and very much. When moving, a person burns a large amount of energy, which, in turn, gets from food. Hunger is a signal that it’s time to eat. What can a person who sits at home all day expect? Yes, he is guaranteed to have problems with appetite.

Pregnant women sometimes lose their appetite. This is a completely normal phenomenon and there is nothing abnormal about it.

How to increase your appetite?

First of all, I would like to advise you to move as much as possible. Sports activities are encouraged. Nobody forces you to become an athlete - even a banal jog will provide a lot of benefits.

Loss of appetite, the causes of which lie in stress, can only be eliminated with the help of rest. Take a vacation and go somewhere that really makes you feel good. It is important to unwind and distance yourself as much as possible from the gray everyday life. The same can be recommended for depression. New experiences will help you fall in love with life again and regain your appetite.

It is recommended to take vitamins and mineral complexes. Force yourself to eat fruits, meat, fish. Be sure to drink milk - it is truly a wonderful product. Healthy food, consumed even through force, will help you quickly return to normal.
If you suspect any disease, be sure to go to the doctor and get all the necessary tests done. Remember that health-related issues are very important. Give them maximum attention, and no ailments will cause you trouble.

A good appetite has always been considered a sign of health and normal functioning of the body. The feeling of hunger is a natural phenomenon that signals that a person needs to “recharge” and restore lost energy. Accordingly, a lack of interest in food may indicate a number of diseases or problems at work. internal organs. What does lack of appetite mean in adults, and in what cases should you consult a doctor?

A signal that the body needs to replenish its reserves of proteins, carbohydrates and other substances is formed in the brain. It is transmitted through neural endings to the digestive organs, as a result of which the secretion of gastric juice is activated, the level of insulin in the blood increases, and the person feels a feeling of hunger.

Lack of appetite indicates disruptions in this process - these could be diseases of the digestive tract, hormonal disorders, oncology and much more.

The reasons for loss of interest in food are divided into pathological, that is, those that are the result of malfunctions in the body, and non-pathological - they do not pose a threat to health and do not require medical intervention.

Non-pathological causes of decreased appetite

Non-pathological causes can be distinguished from health-threatening conditions by a number of signs. In this case, there is no appetite for 3-5 days (maximum a week), after which the body’s functioning returns to normal on its own. Such episodes are repeated no more than once a month, do not cause serious weight loss and are not accompanied by nausea, weakness, fever and other symptoms. Similar reasons include the effect on the body external factors and some changes in its functioning that can be corrected without medical intervention.

1. Accommodations. Lack of appetite can be observed in certain conditions - for example, during very hot weather or a sharp change in climatic zones.
   
2. Chronic fatigue. The body spends a large amount of energy on digesting food, and when chronic fatigue he subconsciously tries to save strength by refusing food.
   
3. Nervous stress. Any serious emotions, negative or positive, can have a negative impact on your appetite. If interest in food arises immediately after stress is left behind, there is nothing to worry about, but some negative situations can lead to prolonged depression and chronic lack of appetite.
   
4. . Snacking on the go, eating fast food, eating a monotonous diet, strict diets and fasting can lead to disruptions in work digestive organs, and, as a result, to a lack of appetite.
   
5. Premenstrual syndrome and pregnancy. Before menstruation and during pregnancy, a woman’s body is under the influence of hormones, which can cause weakness, headaches and abdominal cramps. As a rule, such conditions disappear on their own after the end of hormonal changes.
   
6. . Smoking, alcohol or medication abuse, and drug use negatively affect the functioning of internal organs and appetite.
   

A decrease in appetite is often observed in older people, which can also be considered a variant of the norm - in adulthood, metabolic and digestive processes in the body slow down.

Pathological causes of lack of appetite

Reasons for loss of interest in food that are associated with various diseases, pose a serious health hazard. Vitamins, microelements and nutrients stop entering the body, which over time can lead to general exhaustion and even death. These include:

• infectious diseases and exacerbations of chronic ailments;
• malfunctions endocrine system(especially those associated with pancreatic dysfunction);
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
  
• serious mental disorders(neurosis, anorexia);
• allergic reactions;
• intoxication of the body.
  

In this case, loss of appetite is usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain, etc. If these symptoms develop, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible, as this condition can have serious consequences.

Of particular concern are cases where a person becomes nauseous from one type of food, or begins to develop an aversion to once-favorite foods (for example, meat dishes) – this phenomenon often accompanies cancer.

What to do if you lose your appetite?

If the lack of appetite is not accompanied by additional symptoms, you can try to restore it by following simple rules. If you have an aversion to food, you should not force your body - it is better to eat when you want, in small portions, but at the same time it is advisable to organize your food intake and eat at approximately the same time. Dishes should be tasty, healthy and beautifully presented - so that interest in food is awakened by just one look.

In addition, if your appetite decreases, you should drink as much water as possible to prevent dehydration, walk in the fresh air more often, engage in physical activity and get proper rest. It is recommended to use vitamin complexes, especially those containing vitamin B12 and ascorbic acid.

What should the menu consist of for loss of appetite in adults? The key rule is that the diet should be balanced and contain all the microelements and nutrients necessary for health. In addition, there are a number of products that help increase appetite - primarily herbs, spices, hot and salty foods, as well as marinades. True, it is categorically not recommended to abuse them - in large quantities, such food can cause digestive disorders, gastritis and even ulcers.

You should also not eat a lot of fatty and heavy foods - after eating you should feel full, not heavy and full in the stomach.

Before meals, you can drink 50-100 grams of dry red wine or other light alcohol with a bitter aftertaste - aperitifs in reasonable quantities contribute to a good appetite.

Foods that help improve appetite include:

• black radish juice– take a tablespoon for several days, washed down with a spoon of clean water;
  
• mustard seeds, which can be ground with olive oil as a replacement for store-bought mustard, or simply swallow 20-30 of them daily with liquid;
  
• onions infused in vinegar essence half and half with water(can be used as a seasoning for salads and other dishes);
  
• grated horseradish– eat a teaspoon, mixing with sugar or honey;
  
• celery– consume a piece a day in its pure form, or take a teaspoon of freshly squeezed juice 30 minutes before meals;
  
• fresh or dried raspberries Brew in a thermos, drink half a glass four times a day.
  

The rule for such treatment is as follows: from potent remedies (horseradish, mustard, onion, radish), you need to choose one, and use it for no more than 20 days in a row.

Medicines to increase appetite

Medicines that increase appetite should be used only in extreme cases after consultation with a doctor. Each of them has a number of contraindications and side effects, and if used incorrectly and in dosage, they can cause serious harm to the body.

For neuroses and psycho-emotional disorders associated with loss of appetite, patients are recommended to take antidepressants and sedatives in combination with psychotherapy and other treatment methods. The most common drugs include Amitriptyline, Fluoxetine, Cipramil, Paxil, but their prescription and dosage calculation must be made by a doctor.

"Fluoxetine"

Video – “Elkar”

How to improve appetite using folk remedies?

Can be used to increase appetite folk remedies, which act no less effectively than medications, but do not harm the body.

1. . The fruits and seeds of the plant contain essential oils, which have antispasmodic and antiseptic effects, and also have a beneficial effect on digestive processes. They can be added as a seasoning to dishes, or to prepare medicine. Steam a tablespoon of raw material with a glass of boiling water, leave covered for 10 minutes, then strain and drink half a glass 2-3 times after meals.
   
2. . Sweet dill is often used for colic in newborns, but few people know that remedies from this plant can increase appetite. Fennel infusion is prepared as follows: steam a teaspoon of chopped fruit with a glass of boiling water, leave for two hours, then strain. Consume 3-4 times a day, 1-2 tablespoons before meals.
   
3. . Regular dill has no less effective healing effects than its sweet counterpart. Take 100 g of dry herb or 200 g of fresh, pour into a sealed container, pour a liter of dry white wine into it, leave in a dark, cool place for a month, shaking from time to time, then filter and squeeze out the remainder. If you have loss of appetite, take the infusion 25-30 g before each meal.
   
4. Dandelion. Fresh dandelion leaves are a healthy addition to the diet that improves digestive processes and appetite. The leaves should be collected in environmentally friendly places, away from roads and industrial facilities, and a medicinal remedy can be prepared from the roots of the plant. Take 2 teaspoons of dry ground root, pour 250 ml cold water, leave for 8 hours and drink ¼ glass four times a day.
   
5. . Wormwood is recommended for use by people who suffer from loss of appetite and general weakness after serious illnesses. The plant can be dried, ground into powder and taken ½ teaspoon before each meal. The second way to use the plant is as follows: take 2 tablespoons of crushed leaves, steam with a glass of boiled water, simmer in a water bath for 15 minutes and leave for 30-60 minutes. Next, the product needs to be filtered and topped up with boiled water so that the total volume is 250 ml. Drink a tablespoon 3-4 times a day.
   
6. Pomegranate. Freshly squeezed pomegranate juice not only has a beneficial effect on digestion, but also increases the level of hemoglobin in the blood (it is recommended even for pregnant women to eat pomegranate fruits). iron deficiency anemia), and medicine can be prepared not only from grains, but also from peels. It can be ground into powder, mixed with olive oil and eaten a teaspoon twice a day.
   

Any means to improve appetite can be used only in cases where the underlying cause of the disease is known - without appropriate therapy, loss of appetite will become chronic, and the body’s condition may worsen significantly.

Lack of appetite

Introduction

Lack of appetite in adults indicates a lack or decrease in the desire to eat, which can occur at any time in life. When a complete refusal of food occurs, it is more correct to call this condition anorexia.

There are various reasons that can cause a decrease in desire to eat, usually classified by:

• pathological,
• psychosomatic,
• physiological,
• psychiatric,
• and genetic reasons.

Many diseases cause loss of appetite, which is often associated with:

• nausea,
• weight loss,
• malnutrition.

In general, once the disease is cured (if curable), the appetite returns.

Lack of appetite in adults may also be due to certain anxiety or anxiety conditions, seasonal changes, mental disorders (such as anorexia nervosa) or, to a lesser extent, genetic inheritance (often occurs in children than adults if there are parents who in turn suffered from anorexia).

Loss of appetite can affect all age groups:

• adults,
• elderly,
• children

and cause not only loss of appetite and, therefore, weight, but also, if it persists for a long time, also a psychophysical deterioration in the condition of the victim.

In fact, one must understand that food is not just a moment of pleasure in human life, but also, most importantly, a vital act of survival: with the help of food, we supply our body with all the nutrients (vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and sugars ), which, among other things, are essential sources of energy that enable all mental and physical activities of daily life, such as walking, talking, thinking, remembering, etc...

Causes

Among the many reasons for lack of appetite are:

• chronic;
• (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease);
• hepatitis;
• metabolic diseases;
• endocrine disorders;
• HIV (human immunodeficiency virus);
• pregnancy;
• fever;
• infections:
  • (For example, );
  • Airways(for example, and);
  • mouth and pharynx (for example);
• toothache;
• taking medications;
• drug use;
• alcohol abuse;
• tumors;
• dementia;
• depression;
• anxiety;
• anorexia nervosa;
• food intolerance/ ;
• recovery after surgery;
• exanthematic diseases (for example,);
• change of season, climate;
• insomnia and sleep disorders.

In pregnancy time Lack of appetite develops mainly in the first trimester and is often due to morning sickness, which occurs in women waiting to wake up, and sometimes accompanies them throughout the day, reducing their desire to eat.

Even some physiological conditions such as old age, may be associated with loss of appetite: especially in the case of older people who are left alone (death of a partner, separation of children or other family members), toothlessness, depression, affected by dementia or other diseases that involve the consumption of many medications every day.

One of the typical symptoms tumors is severe weight loss due to decreased appetite due to various conditions that can affect a neoplastic patient:

• feeling sad or downright depressed after a cancer diagnosis;
• presence of pain;
• treatment (chemotherapy, radiation therapy).

Some types of cancer are more often associated with loss of appetite, such as stomach, and.

Almost everything medicines considered possible side effect nausea or vomiting and therefore also cause lack of appetite or change the sense of taste, making food less enjoyable; for example, chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, codeine, morphine.

On the other side, anorexia nervosa typical of most adolescents with, characterized by uncontrollable mania about their own weight and a distorted perception of their physical fitness. The cause is still not fully understood and is thought to lie in possible genetic factors, imbalances in the hypothalamus or certain neurotransmitters, conflicting mother-child relationships, and harsh parenting.

In the case of anorexia nervosa, lack of appetite is associated with pathological the anorexic's desire to lose weight, or rather, the fear of gaining weight, which he fights every day in various ways: with serious restrictions in food intake, vomiting after meals, the use of laxatives, enemas and diuretics, intense physical activity.

Dangers

Lack of appetite may be due to a temporary and reversible condition, and in these cases it should not cause serious concern because it will usually resolve in a short time with appropriate remedies. The affected person will regain the desire to eat and any weight loss, without long-term effects or complications.

However, in cases where lack of appetite may be prolonged, it may be due to an organic disease, so it is necessary to identify and treat the disease with appropriate caution to avoid the development of other more serious symptoms.

Among the main risks associated with long-term loss of appetite are the appearance of other symptoms, such as:

• feeling of general malaise;
• severe weight loss;
• mild irritability;
• increase in heart rate ();
• with iron deficiency;
• nutritional deficiency
• state ;
• exhaustion even after light work;
• ketosis;
• decreased immune defense and the occurrence of infections;
• fever;
• growth retardation/weight loss (in children).

When to see a doctor

It is always recommended to consult with family doctor when lack of appetite continues for a long time, whether voluntary or not, without a clearly known cause and/or when it is associated with other symptoms such as:

• nausea;
• vomit;
• fever;
• dysentery (diarrhea with blood);
• changes in tastes;
• tachycardia;
• anxiety.

Doctor examines general state, paying Special attention weight and body weight measurements obtained by calculating BMI.

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a simple parameter that relates a subject's height and weight, and is calculated using the following formula:

• BMI = body weight (kg)/height 2 (in meters).

The result allows you to classify a person’s problem into the following categories:

• extreme thinness<16,5;
• underweight 16-18.49 g;
• normal weight 18.5-24.99 g;
• and so on for overweight or obesity.

The doctor also takes the patient's medical history (history) by asking questions such as:

• How long have you been experiencing loss of appetite?
• Are you eating little or not at all? Don't want to eat one type of food?
• Do you have stress, depression, nervous disorders, for some reason?
• Do you have other illnesses such as nausea, pain, fever, fatigue, vomiting?
• Have you lost weight? If yes, for how much and for what time?
• Are you taking medication?
• What diseases do you suffer from?

Finally, useful for correct diagnosis are:

• blood tests:
  • platelet analysis;
  • and ALT transaminases;
  • direct, indirect and total bilirubin;
  • HIV test;
  • marker for major viral hepatitis (HAV, HBV, HCV);
  • tumor markers;
  • electrolyte analysis (sodium, chlorine, calcium);
  • creatinine;
  • azotemia;
  • whey proteins;
  • toxicology tests;
• food intolerance test (only scientifically based approaches are recommended!);
• possible radiological studies (X-ray, ultrasound or, in some cases, CT or other more complex studies).

Therapy

In case of loss of appetite, it is important to introduce a number of measures aimed at increasing nutrient reserves and restoring lost weight, for example:

• eat foods rich in calories and protein;
• take any nutritional supplements if prescribed by your doctor;
• small frequent meals are preferable if there are 3 classic main meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner);
• keep a diary of what you eat and drink;
• Carry out regular physical activity, even a simple 30-minute walk at a fast pace will help.

Correction of the organic disease that begins with the state of lack of appetite is important if it is identified and feasible.

If lack of appetite in an adult caused by emotional distress, such as those associated with bereavement, a recent cancer diagnosis or other dramatic events, some measures may be helpful, along with supportive psychological therapy. Here are some measures that can help your diet:

• eating with family or friends;
• visiting some of your favorite restaurants;
• change your diet, cook what you like;
• allow yourself to relax (hot and relaxing baths, yoga classes, hobbies).

Any foods that cause intolerance or malabsorption should be eliminated from the diet, and possible changes in medications or dosages of medications taken should be carefully assessed: all this should be carried out exclusively by the doctor and not by the patient.

Higher education (Cardiology). Cardiologist, therapist, functional diagnostics doctor. I am well versed in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system. Graduated from the academy (full-time), with extensive work experience behind her.

Specialty: Cardiologist, Therapist, Functional diagnostics doctor.

The normal functioning of the digestive system largely depends on the nervous system. Many diseases that are manifested by impaired digestion and absorption of food originate in deteriorated innervation of the gastrointestinal tract and come from mental disorders. For example, anorexia - lack of appetite - may occur due to some disorder in the mental environment. But there are other mechanisms that cause a decrease in the desire to consume food.

What are anorexia and bulimia

It is statistically difficult to determine the spread of the disease. One study found that 91% of women went on a diet at least once, while 22% either constantly restricted themselves in their diet or went on a diet more than five times. In adolescents, these numbers are significantly higher (up to half of girls and up to a third of boys). As can be seen from the figures, this disease is very common, and it also has a fairly high mortality rate. But not all people with a lack of appetite or decreased appetite are diagnosed with anorexia.

Anorexia is a syndrome of pathological lack of appetite in conditions of the body's need for food. Primary occurs due to organic or mental diseases; secondary, or medicinal, occurs as a result of taking anorexigenic medications.

A partial decrease in the need for food cannot be assessed as anorexia. Even if a person has not eaten for a long time, he may lack such a desire without certain obvious reasons. While being passionately engaged in some interesting activity, a person does not notice how he misses one or even several meals. Such states are transient, they pass quite quickly, and a person, after completing a long, exciting work, remembers a natural need and hurries to satisfy it.

But also a partial decline in the desire for food occurs in pathology. This condition is not a criterion for any disease and often does not carry with it any consequences. Suffering from acute respiratory infections, patients complain of poor appetite and general fatigue. After treatment of the underlying disease, all symptoms disappear. There is some information that with VSD and some other autonomic disorders, changes in food intake may also appear.

Bulimia is bouts of overeating and associated anxiety, which are usually followed by the use of various methods of weight loss: inducing vomiting, diarrhea (with the help of laxatives), fasting along with strenuous exercise. The self-esteem of patients is largely based on their figure and body weight.

Bulimia nervosa exists as an independent disease, but is often a symptom of other diseases. These may be endocrine pathologies, mental disorders, organic disorders of the central nervous system. These pathologies can also cause anorexia.

Causes

Complete loss of appetite often occurs in a variety of pathologies and can occur due to a person’s mental state. When your mood is low after an event, a temporary aversion to food occurs - this is not a symptom of the disease and should go away soon. There are also mental traumas that prevent a person from living normally for a long time, depress mood and partly manifest themselves as anorexia or bulimia.

Main reasons:

• mental;
• hormonal;
• malignant tumors;
• acute infections;
• neurological disorders;
• medicinal.

Most acute infectious diseases are accompanied by a loss of appetite up to anorexia in both children and adults. Together with general fatigue, lethargy, and weakness, they constitute symptoms of intoxication of the body. After some time, after an adequate course of treatment and liberation of the body from toxins, the main signs of the disease (cough, nasal discharge, sore throat - depending on the disease) along with the intoxication syndrome disappear, and a craving for food appears. Typically, patients on their way to recovery even experience an increased appetite. This happens due to the fact that the body needs more nutrients to restore functions.

Hormonal imbalances are a common cause of loss of appetite in women. During pregnancy, hormonal levels change and old tastes may change, new ones may appear, and the urge to eat increases or decreases. Pregnant women complain of loss of appetite, nausea and aversion to food. In addition to pregnancy, such symptoms appear in some endocrine diseases.

Malignant tumors have a significant impact on the general condition of the body. Due to the abundant entry into the blood of tumor decay products, severe intoxication occurs. Common symptoms of oncology are weakness, fatigue, change or complete lack of appetite.

The symptom appears after taking certain psychotropic medications. These are medications that directly affect the desire for food - anorexigens, or others whose side effects include eating disorders - hormone antagonists, antidepressants, psychostimulants.

What to do

Determining the cause is not always easy, because the symptom is not pathognomonic, that is, it does not directly indicate any disease. If you have certain health complaints, you should undergo a preventive examination. If it is unclear which specialist is needed, it is better to go to a therapist or general practitioner.

The need to eat food is inherent in us by nature, but there are times when for quite a long time this natural desire is absent.

Thanks to physical activity in young people, the need for food is restored quite quickly.

But if an elderly person has no appetite, what to do in this case?

Loss of appetite in elderly people almost always indicates functional disorders in the body caused by physical or emotional reasons.

Long-term lack of appetite in older people has a negative impact on health and can lead to serious consequences.

Causes of loss of appetite in an elderly person

Loss of appetite in older adults can be caused by a number of reasons. Short-term lack of appetite in old age is quite common.

Refusal to eat for a long time should be a concern. In this case, the most likely cause of a gradual decrease in appetite, accompanied by weight loss, is illness.

Diseases accompanied by loss of appetite include:

1. inflammatory diseases of the digestive system, intestines;
2. chronic and liver failure, liver cirrhosis;
3. diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
4. various types, kidney infections;
5. , thyroid diseases, metabolic disorders and hormonal imbalances;
6. autoimmune diseases;
7. , and some other mental disorders, as well;
8. taking medications.

Lack of appetite in older people can be caused by bad habits or taste preferences, for example, to fatty foods.

Consequences of poor appetite

A complete lack of interest in food or poor appetite in old age is a very serious problem.

An insufficient amount of food does not provide an elderly person with the amount of nutrients and microelements necessary for normal life.

This condition, in addition to weight loss, is fraught with serious health problems.

Headache is one of the reasons for poor appetite

General weakness, exhaustion of the body, exacerbation of chronic diseases, disruption of the brain and other vital organs - these are just the main consequences of poor appetite.

Eating small amounts of food over a long period of time can cause muscle atrophy, musculoskeletal problems and can ultimately be fatal.

If left untreated, the consequences of poor appetite can develop into a complete loss of desire to eat, so-called anorexia, or cause sitophobia, in which a person is afraid to eat food because of the possibility of pain.

How to increase appetite in an elderly person with treatment

It is quite difficult to answer the question of how to increase appetite in an elderly person. To do this, it is necessary to determine the root cause that caused the decrease or complete loss of appetite.

To do this, it is better to undergo a full medical examination. But since it is quite difficult for an elderly person to do this, the examination is limited to a minimum set of diagnostic procedures.

Such procedures include:

• detailed blood test;
• complete urine examination;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, thyroid gland;
• fluoroscopy and gastroscopy of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Magnetic resonance imaging.

Further treatment is prescribed depending on the diagnostic results. If the cause of lack of appetite is illness, the elderly person is prescribed appropriate treatment and, upon completion, the appetite is usually restored.

Medicines can include both antibiotics and drugs for the treatment of the cardiovascular system, hormone replacement drugs, and insulin.

If loss of appetite poses a threat to the life of an elderly person and his physical condition allows, the doctor may prescribe special medications that increase appetite.

These include some iron-containing drugs, anabolic steroids, pharmaceutical bitters, dopamine blockers and digestive activity regulators, as well as some dietary supplements.

They should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor, taking into account possible side effects. In some cases, the question of how to increase appetite in an elderly person is solved through surgery or chemotherapy.

In the absence of a need for food caused by depressive conditions and mental disorders, in addition to sedatives, stimulants and medications, non-traditional methods such as physiotherapy using the latest medical devices are used.

Quite often, especially in cases of senility, adequate nutrition for an elderly person is possible only through the introduction of high-calorie mixtures into the body through a gastronomic tube.

To increase appetite, elderly people, depending on their physical condition, are also prescribed walks in the fresh air and minor physical activity.

Increasing appetite at home

How to increase the appetite of an elderly person at home? The answer to this question is deeply individual, because you can increase your appetite at home without visiting a specialist only in the absence of serious illnesses.

To do this, it is necessary, first of all, to reconsider the diet of an elderly person. It is necessary to exclude or minimize the consumption of sugary carbonated drinks and alcohol from the diet.

To improve appetite, almost every meal an elderly person eats should start with vegetables and consist of favorite dishes and foods rich in protein, zinc, various vitamins and amino acids.

If there are no restrictions, you can use various spices and spices to stimulate your appetite. At home, you can also use herbal infusions that increase the desire to eat.

Tinctures made from chamomile flowers, dill, lemon balm and peppermint give a good effect. There are quite a lot of folk methods that can increase appetite in older people.

One of these ways to stimulate appetite is to take an infusion of wormwood or dandelion half an hour before meals.

Older people are also encouraged to eat lemon juice diluted in warm water, chicory, and yarrow juice.

Freshly squeezed carrot juice improves the need for food and the general condition of the body. Decoctions prepared from centaury, angelica, sage and rue have a good effect.

Folk recipes for increasing appetite at home are distinguished by the availability of medicinal plants, ease of preparation and use.

Conclusion

Most older people are able to control their food needs on their own, and although they sometimes suffer from loss of appetite, it is temporary, does not require treatment, and in most cases goes away on its own.

And in order to prevent a temporary phenomenon from developing into a serious problem requiring treatment, it is important to surround your loved ones with care and give them a little of your time and attention.

Video: Appetite in old age determines aging