Patient's question:
Treatment started in January, and recovery has been achieved. What kind of assistance is needed: Answering questions about how excessive medication and drinking can affect appetite...Doctor's answer:
Appetite is a physiological need to defecate. Once this supply declines or even disappears, it is referred to as anorexia. Simply put, it's the desire not to eat. So, who is more prone to anorexia? Generally, office workers may experience temporary anorexia due to fatigue or mental stress, which is a relatively mild phenomenon. Additionally, overeating, excessive drinking, insufficient exercise, and chronic constipation are also factors that can lead to anorexia. However, it is important to be aware of potential hidden risks, such as sudden anorexia or persistent anorexia. Anorexia often leads to the immediate assumption of gastrointestinal issues, such as chronic gastritis, delayed gastric emptying, or gastric cancer, all of which may manifest this symptom. The initial symptoms of liver disease can also cause long-term anorexia. In fact, anorexia caused by liver disease is often extreme, with severe cases showing no appetite at all. Close friends and family can easily notice the patient's strong aversion to food. Moreover, endocrine diseases like kidney disease and hypothyroidism, infectious diseases such as dysentery and cholera, and conditions like heart disease and brain tumors may also lead to anorexia. Female friends in the early stages of pregnancy may experience anorexia or nausea due to the side effects of oral contraceptives. However, some believe that psychiatric patients also suffer from anorexia. Depressed patients may show no interest in their surroundings and fail to focus on basic physiological needs, instead being preoccupied with negative or distressing thoughts. Anorexia nervosa may involve a desire to maintain a slim figure, leading to a refusal to eat and significant weight loss. Schizophrenic patients may avoid eating due to delusions that food has been drugged, or they may have a catatonic form of schizophrenia, characterized by sustained fixation or repetitive movements, with little interest in food.So, if you notice anorexia in yourself or a family member, you can try using foods with aromatic, spicy, or bitter flavors to stimulate and enhance appetite. If the appetite remains unaffected, it is best to seek medical attention for a thorough examination.