Loss of appetite: causes and recipes

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Extract from the article: Quand l’appétit n’est plus là, c’est souvent le signe d’une maladie ou d’un mal-être. Si les causes sont souvent bénignes, il arrive aussi que la perte d’appétit traduise une maladie plus grave. Quelles sont les causes les plus fréquentes de la perte

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When your appetite is gone, it's often the sign of an illness or malaise. While the causes are often benign, loss of appetite can also reflect a more serious illness. What are the most common causes of loss of appetite? What are the warning signs? What can you do to regain your appetite? Explanations from Dr. Jean-Claude Bakpatina, General Practitioner at the Floréal Clinic in Lomé.

Known in medical terms as « hyporexia », « loss of appetite is simply a reduced desire to eat. It can be temporary, and generally benign, or more long-lasting, revealing a more serious health problem. It can be characterized by an absence of the sensation of hunger, disgust, disgust for food, or a very rapid satiation », says Dr. Jean-Claude Bakpatina, General Practitioner at the Floréal clinic in Lomé.

When should you be concerned?

« When the loss of appetite is long-lasting and unexplained, and is accompanied by weight loss and fatigue, it is advisable to consult a doctor », recommends Dr. Jean-Claude Bakpatina, General Practitioner.

 It's important to weigh yourself regularly: a loss of more than 5% of body weight is cause for concern, and a medical check-up is essential.This is the case, for example, of a person who goes from 60 kg to less than 57 kg in just a few weeks, without making any effort to lose weight (diet, appetite suppressant, sport...).

Possible causes 

There are many possible causes of loss of appetite. Virtually any illness can lead to loss of appetite. According to Dr. Jean-Claude Bakpatina, General Practitioner, « the most frequent causes are infections, whether viral, bacterial or fungal. They are likely to cause a reduction in the sense of hunger, particularly when there is an associated fever ». Malaria, influenza, sinusitis, covid, angina, bronchitis, diarrhoea... are all illnesses that cause a loss of appetite.  « Stress, depression, anxiety, emotional shocks, chronic or digestive diseases such as diabetes, heart failure, hypo- or hyperparathyroidism, ulcerative colitis, appendicitis, intestinal obstruction », says Dr. Jean-Claude Bakpatina. Most cancers are likely to cause loss of appetite in some people.And then there's age: as we age, our nutritional requirements diminish, and appetite decreases accordingly.

Nausea is one of the main symptoms of early pregnancy. Some pregnant women quickly become sick to their stomachs at the slightest smell of food, and have their appetite suppressed during the first weeks of pregnancy.In the vast majority of cases, nausea ceases at the end of the first trimester, but it can persist throughout the pregnancy and be detrimental to its smooth progress.

« Taking certain medications, notably antidepressants, some painkillers, antibiotics and anti-diabetic drugs, can affect appetite », says Dr. Bakpatina. Cancer treatments can also reduce hunger.

Tests for hyporexia

« When loss of appetite becomes long-standing and leads to significant weight loss, it is essential to consult your GP in order to understand the cause », underlines the General Practitioner. By questioning the patient and carrying out a detailed clinical examination, the doctor will be able to identify the causes of the patient's lack of appetite. Accordingly, he or she may prescribe biological tests (blood tests, urinalysis, etc.) or complementary imaging tests (ultrasound, X-ray, MRI, CT scan, colonoscopy, etc.), as deemed necessary. « If the doctor suspects a depressive episode or anorexia nervosa-type eating disorders, he or she may also prescribe a psychological assessment for the patient. », recommands Dr Jean-Claude Bakpatina.

How can I regain my appetite?

The first thing to do in the event of loss of appetite is to treat the cause when it has been identified. When hyporexia is due to medication, the prescribing physician may be able to modify the treatment or reduce the dosage.

The specialist shows that « If loss of appetite is linked to depression, stress or anxiety, psychological care combined with appropriate treatment can improve symptoms. Generally speaking, I recommend that patients indulge themselves, eat everything in reasonable quantities, in a balanced way, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. »

Patients who have lost their appetite and are losing a lot of weight (as can be the case for the elderly) can be prescribed food supplements to help with calorie intake.Finally, if loss of appetite is the result of cancer treatment, the specialist may prescribe drugs to stimulate appetite.

Natural recipes

Recipe 1: Peel and grate around 01 ginger root. Squeeze one and a half lemons and slice the remaining half.Heat 75 cl of water and pour over the ginger and lemon juice in a teapot. Add 2-3 teaspoons honey.Leave to infuse for a few minutes. Stir and enjoy. This herbal tea can be enjoyed throughout the day, but especially in the afternoon and evening after dinner.

Recipe 2: 1.25l water, 25g dried hibiscus flowers, 2-3 sugar cubes (or more for those who like it), you can add a few sprigs of fresh mint or ginger.Wash the flowers, place in a saucepan with the water and bring to the boil for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, remove from the heat and add the mint leaves.Leave to cool completely. Pour the liquid through a sieve to separate the flowers from the juice. Add the sugar to the juice.Store the juice well.

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