Weakness lack of appetite. Lost appetite: what to do next, the causes. Complete loss of appetite or anorexia


Loss of appetite is a clinical manifestation of a non-specific nature, which can be a manifestation of both a certain gastroenterological disease and be the result of some physiological factors. In this case, psychosomatics is not excluded, which may indicate a loss of appetite due to nervousness. In any case, methods for eliminating such a symptom should be chosen by a qualified medical specialist, after carrying out the necessary laboratory and instrumental examination methods. Self-medication is unacceptable, especially for children.

Etiology

Poor appetite or its complete absence can be the result of both a certain disease, most often of a gastroenterological nature, and physiological factors.

Diseases in the clinical picture of which there is this symptom should include:

  • infectious lesions of the gastrointestinal tract;
  • , any form;
  • gastroenteritis;
  • anorexia;
  • diabetes mellitus and other systemic diseases;
  • frequent food poisoning (in this case, loss of appetite may be due not so much to the current pathological process as to psychosomatics);
  • endocrine diseases;
  • pathological processes in the pancreas;
  • chronic renal failure;
  • food allergy;
  • and colon cancer;
  • celiac disease;
  • disturbed metabolism;
  • chronic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
  • full or partial.

Separately, it is necessary to highlight the etiological factors that can also lead to a decrease in appetite, but are not diseases:

  • pregnancy, especially in the early stages;
  • teething in children - in this case, poor appetite may be present from 3 months to 3 years;
  • frequent stress, almost constant nervous tension;
  • physical fatigue.

A complete lack of appetite can be observed with psychological disorders, in particular with such diseases:

  • seasonal affective disorder;
  • chronic depression;
  • dementia;
  • schizoaffective disorder.

Lack of appetite during early pregnancy is not always a sign of a certain disease - it can be a normal reaction of the body to physiological changes and hormonal changes. However, if such a clinical manifestation is observed for a rather long time and additional symptoms are present, an urgent need to consult a doctor. A similar condition in pregnant women is dangerous not only for their health, but also for the development of the fetus.

Classification

There are two types of loss of appetite:

  • anorexia - complete loss of appetite;
  • partial reduction;
  • change in taste.

Regardless of which form takes place, you need to consult a doctor for an examination. Timely diagnosis will help eliminate the disease in a timely manner or even prevent its development.

Symptoms

If the deterioration in appetite in an adult or a child is not due to a pathological process in the body, then there will be no additional clinical picture. Symptoms will develop only with prolonged fasting, which will be due to the lack of substances necessary for the body to function normally.

In diabetes, poor appetite will be accompanied by the following clinical picture:

  • weight loss, against the background of deterioration or complete lack of appetite;
  • constant thirst;
  • frequent urination;
  • skin itching;
  • dizziness, increased fatigue;
  • disruption of the sleep cycle;
  • in women, menstrual irregularities;
  • men can develop impotence;
  • exacerbation of existing chronic ailments;
  • itching in the perineum;
  • long-term cure for infectious diseases;
  • slow healing of various mechanical damage to the skin;
  • numbness of the limbs, swelling;
  • pain in the region of the heart, which can spread to the entire chest;
  • in children there is a lack of gain in weight and height, even with sufficient food intake.

If the cause of the deterioration in appetite was gastritis and similar diseases, then the manifestation of such a clinical picture is possible:

  • abdominal pain, their nature and localization will depend on the underlying factor;
  • nausea, which is often accompanied. In most cases, vomiting occurs after eating. May contain impurities of blood and bile;
  • violation of the frequency and consistency of the stool - diarrhea, prolonged constipation. In the feces, undigested food, blood, mucus may be present;
  • weakness, decreased performance;
  • change in taste;
  • , with an unpleasant odor;
  • obstruction of food through the intestines, so a person often has to drink it down;
  • aversion to food, since quite often eating provokes new bouts of nausea and vomiting;
  • subfebrile body temperature;
  • increased sweating.

It should also be understood that frequent bouts of vomiting and diarrhea lead to dehydration, which is life-threatening and, in the absence of timely medical attention, can be fatal.

A complete loss of appetite may indicate the development of anorexia, on a nervous basis or due to other etiological factors. In this case, the deterioration of appetite will be accompanied by the following clinical picture:

  • low blood pressure;
  • weakness, fatigue, lethargy;
  • low body temperature, which is why the patient may complain of a feeling of cold in the hands and feet;
  • a person is almost constantly nauseated;
  • frequent fainting, dizziness;
  • fragility of hair and nails, increased susceptibility of the skin to mechanical stress;
  • swelling of the legs and arms, even in the absence of physical activity or static load;
  • hair loss;
  • violation of the stool - frequent constipation can be replaced by bouts of diarrhea;
  • unpleasant odor from the mouth;
  • flatulence;
  • abdominal pain;
  • violation of the menstrual cycle;
  • decrease in sexual desire;
  • a person tries to eat separately, constantly strives to reduce his portion;
  • pathological fear of getting better, even if there are no obvious factors for this;
  • the patient begins to wear baggy clothes to hide the imaginary fullness.

If the patient has a history of chronic diseases, then their exacerbation will be observed. It should also be understood that if adequate treatment is not started in a timely manner, then the stage of development of cachexia begins, which is characterized by complete depletion of the body and in itself is an irreversible pathological process.

Decreased appetite in the elderly can be characterized by both age-related changes and the development of dementia. In the clinical picture of such an ailment, there is also a deterioration in appetite, followed by complete exhaustion. In the vast majority of cases, this leads to death.

Lack of appetite in an adult may be due to hepatitis, which will be characterized by the following symptoms:

  • yellowness of the skin and sclera;
  • frequent urination, urine acquires a rich dark color;
  • dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract;
  • instability of the menstrual cycle;
  • weakness, irritability;
  • heaviness in the right hypochondrium;
  • decreased performance, apathy.

Similar symptoms can be observed in the extreme stages of the development of the disease, which leads to cirrhosis of the liver. In this case, a sharp loss of body weight will be added to the overall clinical picture.

Such a clinical manifestation as lack of appetite may be present in celiac disease, which will be characterized by the following additional symptoms:

  • bouts of diarrhea, up to 6 times a day. Fecal masses may be black, due to the admixture of blood;
  • , increased flatulence;
  • paroxysmal pain in the navel;
  • nausea with vomiting;
  • weakness;
  • skin rash;
  • increased susceptibility to infections, which will be characterized by frequent stomatitis, slow wound healing;
  • dry skin, peeling;
  • violation of the menstrual cycle in women, impotence in men;
  • migraine attacks, frequent depression, unstable psycho-emotional state of a person.

In more rare cases, against the background of such a clinical picture, hepatitis of an infectious etiology may develop.

With a food allergy, the lack of appetite will be symptomatic and in its clinic will be almost identical to food poisoning. In addition to this, there may be a rash on the body, itching, increased lacrimation.

Regardless of what kind of clinical picture takes place, if the appetite is gone, you should seek medical help, and not self-medicate.

Diagnostics

In this case, complex diagnostics is required, which may include the following laboratory and instrumental research methods:

  • general analysis of urine and blood;
  • blood test for hormones;
  • a blood test for the presence of an allergen and for sugar;
  • detailed biochemical blood test;
  • Ultrasound of the abdominal organs;
  • liver tests;
  • thyroid diagnostics;
  • test for HIV and STDs.

Depending on the current symptoms and the collected history, the diagnostic program may change. To determine the exact reason why the appetite disappears, the doctor can only after conducting all the necessary tests.

Treatment

To eliminate the underlying factor, both conservative and radical methods of treatment can be used. Drug therapy may include such drugs:

  • antiemetics;
  • to improve gastric motility;
  • high-calorie nutritional mixtures (mandatory in the absence of appetite in the elderly or children);
  • antibiotics;
  • sorbents;
  • antispasmodics;
  • proton pump inhibitors;
  • antidiarrheal.

If the underlying factor is a gastroenterological disease, then dietary nutrition may be included in the treatment.

The use of folk remedies to eliminate this clinical manifestation is no exception. In this case, you can use the following:

  • the inclusion of fresh herbs in the diet, as it stimulates the appetite well;
  • herbal decoctions of lemon balm, chamomile, peppermint, motherwort.

Before using such products, it is necessary to consult with your doctor, as a person may be allergic to certain components. Also, some components are contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.

Prevention

There are no targeted preventive recommendations, since this is only a clinical manifestation of a non-specific nature, and not a separate ailment. In general, it is necessary to adhere to the optimal diet for the body and not to self-medicate. You also need to systematically undergo preventive examinations with doctors, which will help prevent the disease or start its treatment in a timely manner.

Similar content

Poor appetite in a child is a phenomenon that can act as a sign of a certain pathological process, or be a consequence of certain physiological factors. It should also be noted that a decrease in appetite in a child may not always be due to a gastroenterological disease. Only a doctor can establish the exact etiology after an examination. Self-medication is unacceptable.

Appetite is an emotional expression of the body's need and a person's desire for a certain food. Decreased appetite is a partial or complete refusal to eat.

In medicine, there are concepts, hunger and appetite. These are different things! The feeling of hunger is a reflex that occurs when there is no food intake. It manifests itself by excitation of hunger centers located both in the cerebral cortex and in subcortical structures. The signal to stimulate the centers of hunger is a decrease in the amount of glucose in the blood, as well as other nutrients. A sign of hunger is an increase in the secretion of saliva, an aggravation of the sense of smell, a pulling, sucking sensation under the "spoon" (under the tongue and in the projection of the stomach). Appetite is more than a selective manifestation of a feeling of hunger that arises through preference for certain products, depending on the time of day, emotional state, religious and national habits.

Appetite changes can be manifested by:

Decrease in general appetite (do not want anything).
Change in appetite (violated taste needs in relation to any group of products).
Complete lack of appetite (anorexia).

Causes of lack or loss of appetite

The following reasons for the lack or decrease in appetite can be distinguished.

1. Intoxication of the body as a result of inflammatory processes or poisoning. In this case, during the height of the disease or poisoning, the body is not up to digesting food, all forces are thrown into the removal of toxins and decay products.

2. Pain, discomfort, during exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

3. Endocrine disorders - with a decrease in the functions of the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, hypothalamus (subcortical structures of the brain).

4. Metabolic disorders in the body (primarily in oncological conditions)

5. Neuropsychiatric disorders (neurosis, depression).

What diseases cause a decrease in appetite:

Addison's disease (Bronze disease)
- Still's disease (Chronic polyarthritis in children)
- Still's disease - Chauffard (Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis)
- Typhoid fever
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (Gastroesophageal reflux)
- Dementia (Dementia)
- Depression
- Depression and stress during the holidays
- Peptic ulcer (Stomach and duodenal ulcer)
- Crayfish
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Anorexia

Intoxication of the body as a result of inflammatory processes or poisoning

This cause of loss of appetite includes the onset and height of acute respiratory viral diseases, influenza.

Chronic viral hepatitis during an exacerbation, kidney disease with manifestations of renal failure, intestinal infections in the acute period, rheumatic diseases during exacerbations. (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, vasculitis). Any external poisoning is food toxins (spoiled, expired food) and chemicals, primarily alcohol surrogates, carbon monoxide poisoning, drugs

During this period, the body simply can not cope with the digestion of food. It is not necessary to force-feed the patient in the acute period. We will only harm by adding, as a result of incomplete digestion of food, toxins into the body. But the introduction of fluid in a larger volume, under conditions of unimpaired urination and the absence of a tendency to edema, will help the body cleanse itself of toxins and decay products formed during the fight against an infectious agent. Here you can use any fruit drinks, cranberries, lingonberries, and currants are especially good at removing toxins. Suitable for these purposes and low-mineralized alkaline mineral water and just boiled. As soon as the patient's body is freed from toxins, appetite will also be restored.

In the diagnosis of these diseases, the anamnesis is of great importance, was there contact with an infected person? Eliminate the possibility of poisoning.

A complete blood count - allows you to exclude inflammatory diseases, CRP and rheumatoid factor are prescribed for suspected autoimmune inflammatory diseases (rheumatism). In cases of the likelihood of infectious enterocolitis (dysentery, salmonellosis, etc.), it is important to take an analysis for bacteriological culture of feces to identify the causative agent of the disease.

Pain, discomfort, with exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

In the event of pain or dyspeptic symptoms (nausea, vomiting, heartburn, belching, bitterness in the mouth), manifested during exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, there is a purely reflex fear of eating. These diseases include: esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, chronic enteritis, colitis. Help for these diseases - frequent, small portions, sparing enveloping food. For example, cereals such as oatmeal, buckwheat, semolina, rice prepared in the form of liquid cereals, with a minimum amount of salt, without the addition of spices. Naturally, the diet should be accompanied by traditional drug therapy prescribed by courses. To prescribe appropriate therapy, it is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner at the first manifestations of the symptoms of these diseases. As the exacerbation stops, the appetite is restored. But you need to stick to a diet for a long time.

Possible studies and analyzes for this alleged cause of lack or decrease in appetite:

A complete blood count, liver tests (AST and ALT transaminases, GGTG, bilirubin, amylase, cholesterol, PTI) allow you to check liver function, to exclude viral hepatitis, you will have to be tested for markers of hepatitis B and C. It is possible to undergo an ultrasound examination of the liver, gallbladder , pancreas in case of suspected diseases of the liver and pancreas. FGS (fibrogastroscopy), a rather unpleasant procedure for examining the stomach by inserting a fibrogastroscope through the mouth (done exclusively on an empty stomach), is prescribed to exclude gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. If it is impossible to clarify the diagnosis by simple methods, computed or magnetic resonance imaging of internal organs is prescribed.

endocrine disorders.

First of all, they include a decrease in the hormonal function of the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism (myxidema, Gall's disease) is characterized by a decrease in overall vitality.

Not only appetite decreases, but also blood pressure, fatigue, drowsiness, speech slowdown appear, all symptoms in this disease occur gradually over a period of several years. Sometimes hypothyroidism is secondary and is associated with dysfunction of the pituitary and hypothalamus, which affects the function of the thyroid gland.

Possible studies and analyzes for this alleged cause of lack or decrease in appetite:

Analysis for thyroid hormones - T3 and T4, as well as for TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), ultrasound of the thyroid gland. To exclude diseases of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, it is possible to prescribe computed tomography of the brain.

Metabolic disorders in the body.

In this section, first of all, oncological diseases. Malignant neoplasms in any organ rebuild the body's metabolism for the second time. As a result, even in the primary stages of diseases, there is a decrease in appetite or a violation of taste sensations. A very alarming sign in terms of cancer is refusal and intolerance to meat products (if the early attitude to meat was usual). Examinations for suspected oncological diseases are prescribed by a doctor in accordance with the clinical manifestations accompanying a change in appetite.

Neuropsychiatric disorders (neurosis, depression).

Disorders in the psycho-emotional sphere - depression. One of the leading signs of the manifestation of this disease is a change in appetite, both towards a decrease or complete absence (more common), and an increase in appetite. Lack of appetite in depression has a slightly different manifestation than for other reasons. Food seems tasteless, insipid to the sick, often even the smell of food or the mention of it is accompanied by a negative reaction, can cause nausea and even vomiting. Eating is not a pleasure, patients eat only because they need to eat, sometimes patients have to be forced to eat. Deterioration of appetite in depression is accompanied by a feeling of rapid satiety, with small portions of food taken, there is a feeling of fullness in the stomach, unpleasant heaviness, and nausea. Anorexia nervosa occupies a special place among neuropsychiatric disorders.

In most cases, this disease affects young girls. The disease is based on a pathological desire to lose weight in any way, even with an initial normal or low body weight. In the process of refusing food, a persistent aversion to it is formed, as a result of a change in the psyche, patients in some cases simply cannot get out of this state on their own. An appeal to a psychotherapist is required, and sometimes inpatient treatment. The attention of relatives is very important for the early diagnosis of this disease. In addition to refusing food, as a rule, exhausting physical exercises, taking various means for losing weight, using enemas, and causing an artificial gag reflex after eating are possible. And finally, conspicuous, significant weight loss.

The basis for the diagnosis of these diseases is attention from relatives or close people to the sick people. In a tactful form, the persuasion to seek help from a psychotherapist.

Features of decreased appetite in infants.

Lack of appetite in young children can be associated with teething, this occurs in each child individually in the period from three months to three years.

Refusal of food may also occur with the manifestation of stomatitis (an infectious disease of the oral cavity), expressed in the form of painful rashes, sores on the mucous membrane of the inner surface of the mouth. An ear infection in infants can also cause a decrease in appetite, since the movement of the jaws during sucking or chewing can cause pain and, accordingly, refusal of food. In most cases, the cause of poor appetite in a child is conscientious, force-feeding by parents. The problem is that children become stubborn if they are forced and there is aversion to food with which they have unpleasant associations. In addition, there is another difficulty: the child's appetite changes almost every minute. For a while, the child may like mashed potatoes or new porridge, but soon this food may disgust him. The reason for the rapid growth and weight gain of the child, especially in the first year of life and the constant variability in the need for certain nutrients. The task of parents is not to force the child to eat, but to make his own appetite work. Every effort should be made not to talk to the child about food in the form of threats or rewards. Naturally, to exclude diseases manifested by a lack or decrease in appetite, you should contact your pediatrician.

Increasing appetite folk remedies

Herbs and herbs used in parallel with traditional methods of treating diseases accompanied by a decrease or lack of appetite.

To increase appetite, the following preparations are used:

1 One teaspoon of crushed calamus is poured over two glasses of hot water, boiled for ten to twenty minutes. Take two glasses, three times a day before meals. It is used to stimulate appetite in gastrointestinal diseases.
2 One teaspoon of wormwood is poured with one glass of boiling water, infused for thirty minutes. It is taken one tablespoon three times a day 20-30 minutes before meals.
3 Two teaspoons of crushed dandelion root are poured with one glass of cold water, infused for eight to ten hours. It is taken a quarter cup three to four times a day before meals half an hour before meals.
4 Pour two teaspoons of raspberries with one glass of boiling water and insist for 15-30 minutes. Take warm half a glass of a glass four times a day.
5 Pour half a tablespoon of blue cornflower flowers with one glass of boiling water. It is taken half an hour before meals.
6 One teaspoon of crushed anise fruits is poured with one glass of boiled water, infused for half an hour, half a glass is taken half an hour before meals.
7 Pour half a teaspoon of parsley seeds with one glass of cold water, heat without boiling for thirty minutes, filter and take one tablespoon four five times a day.
8 One teaspoon of meadow clover (red) inflorescences is brewed with one glass of boiling water, insisted for five to ten minutes, filtered and taken one tablespoon three to four times a day before meals for 15 to 30 minutes.
10 One tablespoon of red clover inflorescences is poured with one glass of vodka or diluted medical alcohol. Infused for ten to fifteen days. Take one teaspoon 15-30 minutes before meals. (Contraindicated for patients with alcoholism).

To increase appetite, it is possible to use acupressure techniques.

We press the thumb and forefinger of the opposite hand on the points near the nail of the little finger of the hand (outer-lateral surfaces of the little finger), periodically changing hands. Massage is performed several times during the day before meals. Pressing on the points with moderate force, rhythmically, for twenty to thirty seconds.

Which doctor should I contact if there is a decrease in appetite

Depending on the accompanying symptoms, these are:

Nutritionist
- Gastroenterologist
- Psychologist
- Neurologist
- Endocrinologist

Therapist Shutov A.I.

A healthy person has a healthy interest in food. To keep the body in working condition, it has to be fed regularly. The feeling of hunger is a signal that you need to recharge.

But sometimes we do not want to eat at the usual time, and sometimes there is indifference or even aversion to food. Why does the appetite disappear? The reasons can be different, from the most banal to the most serious. Therefore, this should not be neglected.

We have to find out why people lose their appetite and what problems the body signals when it refuses to eat. How to react if the child's appetite is gone? What to do if the expectant mother has no appetite?

Lost appetite: causes

Easily installed and non-dangerous causes of loss of appetite

There is a mild form of appetite disturbance, that is, its decrease (hyporexia) and complicated, when a person has no appetite at all (anorexia). At the stage of hyporexia, you can still try to deal with disorders on your own, but anorexia poses a great danger to human health and life, which means self-medication is unacceptable!

Loss of appetite may indicate serious disorders in the functioning of internal organs. Especially if you suddenly lost your appetite. There is no doubt about the seriousness of the situation, when the temperature jumped at the same time and the appetite disappeared.

If loss of appetite is the only symptom, then we are talking about temporary malfunctions in the body. Let's consider why this happens.

  • Appetite decreases under the influence of external factors, often weather conditions. Personally, I eat almost nothing for whole days when it is an abnormally hot summer. It is normal that you do not want to eat, the body correctly requires more fluid in order to replace its loss. Drink a lot and don't force yourself to eat. Appetite will be restored as soon as the heat subsides.
  • Change of place of habitual residence It can be a test both physically and psychologically. If you've lost your appetite after moving, don't worry. Give yourself time to get used to the new conditions and circumstances, and the body to adapt.
  • Chronic fatigue may lead to appetite disturbances. The fact is that the body spends a lot of energy on the process of digesting food. When a person is tired, the subconscious tells you to conserve strength. In addition, falling down from unbearable loads, not only physical ones, it can be so lazy to take care of food that it is easier for the body to refuse it.

  • Another common cause of loss of appetite is the body's protest against certain medications. If you have been taking medications, biological supplements, doping, contraceptives, weight loss drugs for a long time, look at the side effects in the instructions and the expiration date of the drugs. To restore your appetite, you will have to change a specific drug or stop using such drugs altogether. Stop self-medication, in particular, with herbs, categorically refuse expired drugs. Simple actions can easily restore lost appetite.
  • diet abuse For the sake of losing weight, you risk doing great harm to health. Diets are dangerous because because of them a person artificially creates a deficiency of vital substances. Due to improper diets, nutrition becomes irrational, which in turn leads to rapid weight loss and loss of appetite. If it comes down to it, gradually get off the diet. The next time you choose a diet, after consulting with a nutritionist, and strictly follow his recommendations.
  • Loss of appetite is often the result bad habits . Smoking, alcohol abuse, the use of narcotic substances in any way slowly but surely destroy the internal organs and disrupt the processes occurring in the body, in particular digestion. Lack of appetite is a predictable result of a long unhealthy lifestyle. It's never too late to give up bad things. Do it at last!
  • Psychological reasons loss of appetite is common. Any strong unrest is perceived by the body as stress. It doesn't matter if they are positive or negative. A wedding or divorce, a long-awaited meeting or its cancellation, an important victory or defeat - such events can significantly reduce appetite. The only difference is that after positive experiences, disruptions in the body associated with the unwillingness to eat quickly normalize, and negative ones often develop into a depressed state or even depression. If for a long time you have not only poor appetite, but also mood swings, consider this a good reason to see a doctor. Don't expect depression to go away with time. The longer you delay, the harder it will be for you to get back to normal. Know: along with the mood, the appetite will return.

Loss of appetite as a symptom

Unfortunately, lack of appetite is often a sign of serious health problems. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms that may accompany food aversion and the causes of this condition.

If you just don’t feel like eating, and there are no other painful symptoms, then you shouldn’t get hung up on this. Most likely, this is a temporary symptom and soon everything will pass.

But often poor appetite is accompanied by parallel symptoms, for example:

  • headache + lack of appetite;
  • nausea + lack of appetite.

If you suffer from a complex of symptoms, consult a general practitioner or family doctor. The primary care specialist will refer you to one of the highly specialized colleagues: a psychotherapist, a gastroenterologist, a nutritionist, an endocrinologist, an oncologist. Hurry up for a consultation.

Dangerous causes of loss of appetite:

  • Poisoning (intoxication) - food, drugs, gases, toxins, alcohol ... The body does not perceive anything, on the contrary - it works to eliminate the poison. If you suffer from nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite and diarrhea at the same time, you are most likely poisoned. This is exactly the case when it is better to refuse food for a certain time. Call an ambulance immediately or rush to the infectious diseases department.
  • Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: cholecystitis, dysbacteriosis, gastritis, ulcer. The most common set of symptoms with them: lack of appetite, abdominal pain.
  • Violation of the functions of the endocrine system.
  • Diseases of the nervous system, mental disorders.
  • Diseases of the liver, pancreas may be accompanied by symptoms: lack of appetite, nausea, weakness.
  • Infectious diseases, in particular tuberculosis, are another number of possible reasons why you do not want to eat.
  • Oncological diseases. Cancer patients refuse certain foods, most often meat. In a combination of severe weakness with a lack of appetite lies the danger of oncology.

Symptoms that, in combination with loss of appetite, should alert you

Call an ambulance if the violation of appetite is accompanied by dangerous complexes of symptoms, such as:

  • diarrhea, lack of appetite
  • pain, lack of appetite, nausea
  • vomiting, lack of appetite
  • fever, lack of appetite.

With such symptoms, it is extremely dangerous to remain without medical supervision.

No appetite: what to do

A good appetite is not without reason considered a sign of good health. When a person does not feel hungry for longer than usual, it causes anxiety. It immediately becomes clear that not everything is in order with health, mental or physical. No one has yet been able to feel good without nourishing the body in time. Discomfort, weakness caused by a lack of nutrients that enter the body with food are so strong that people literally lose their zest for life. If appetite is gone, what to do is not always clear. At first, people tend to neglect the situation, but in the meantime it becomes so complicated that the strength and desire to correct it disappear. We offer a selection of effective, proven tips on how to act when you don’t feel like eating anything.

First of all, try to restore the natural need for food with elementary methods.

  • Why not work up an appetite in the park or on the waterfront? Choose a place for a walk where there are a lot of green plantings. Having sated your lungs with plenty of oxygen, you may want to eat very quickly. It will not be superfluous to walk past the place where street food smells delicious. Appetizing smells will surely wake up your dormant taste buds!
  • Physical activity in nature is an excellent appetite activator. Suitable for jogging, cycling, any sport with a ball or rackets, fitness, dancing, yoga, and better - swimming. Classes in the water cause wolf hunger! But don't overexert yourself, because exhaustion can backfire. It is very good if you do not do it alone. Good company and pleasant fatigue will certainly restore your lost appetite.
  • Often interruptions in appetite are associated with non-compliance with sleep and food intake. Restore your usual daily routine if it has been changed, or just wait until the adaptation period has passed.
  • It happens that the loss of appetite is caused by the monotony of your diet or loneliness. Perhaps you are just tired of the usual menu or too lazy to cook something new for yourself, there is no one to share a meal with. Make an effort - treat yourself to something tasty. "Colored food", fresh berries, vegetables and fruits, pleasing to the eye, greatly stimulate the appetite. If you don’t feel like doing something for yourself, invite guests. You will not feed them banal potatoes?! But stuffed zucchini with potato sailboats will tempt you even in the process of cooking. There is an easier option for those who are not capable of culinary exploits. Organize a meeting of old friends. With them for the company you will have to taste everything!

  • There is a high probability of overcoming the lack of appetite by doing things you love. Just make time for what brings you pleasure. In a depressed state, there can be no talk of new hobbies, but remembering old ones is very useful. Listen to the music you listened to, look through the exhibits of a long-forgotten collection, re-read the book that made an impression on you. It may happen that you do not even notice how you start to snack on everything that comes to hand.
  • If you have bad habits, do your best to stop them. We do not promise that the appetite will return immediately, because the process of restoring the body from negative influences is a long one. However, after a while, you will definitely feel a surge of strength and hunger.

If there is no appetite during pregnancy

With the forces of her own body, the expectant mother ensures the development of a new life. This requires more physical and psychological resources than usual. Extraordinary emotions, excessive anxiety, increased responsibility, sharp hormonal surges are factors that significantly change the state of a person. Of course, they in turn affect the appetite. At different periods of pregnancy, it either disappears or grows exorbitantly. A pregnant woman finds herself between two extremes: eating for two, but not overeating. At first glance, it is paradoxical that appetite worsens during pregnancy. We will explain why this is so.

Worst of all, what loss of appetite during pregnancy can indicate is an exacerbation of existing diseases, any of the above. It is clear that you will have to be treated, as well as the fact that self-treatment is out of the question.

In a healthy pregnant woman, a sluggish interest in food has clear explanations that are directly related to her condition. Mostly lack of appetite during pregnancy is observed in the first trimester.

Toxicosis is the most common reason why a pregnant woman eats little. It usually lasts up to three months, during which a woman can even lose weight. The pregnant woman is sick, there is no appetite, this is understandable. But actually toxicosis is already a consequence of certain processes characteristic of the period of pregnancy. Exacerbation of olfactory receptors causes aversion to certain smells. The increased sensitivity and vulnerability of a woman to the changes that occur to her are often expressed by poor appetite. Hormonal surges suppress appetite due to reduced digestive function. In addition to these reasons, the unwillingness of a pregnant woman to eat can be explained by a lack of iron or folic acid. They are needed in sufficient quantities for the formation of a healthy fetus. If they are not enough, the body signals this by refusing to perceive food, especially one that does not contain them. Do not forget about the factors that strongly affect the desire or unwillingness to eat. You can please you with the fact that all these are normal and temporary phenomena. At the same time, we warn you not to take the loss of appetite during pregnancy as infantile, because you are simply obliged to provide the unborn child with everything necessary.

If a woman in the second trimester of pregnancy complains: “I don’t feel hungry,” this basically means only that the uterus, by putting pressure on the intestines, provokes stagnation of digested products in the body.

In the third trimester, the enlarged body of the child presses on the stomach through the wall of the uterus, respectively, the capacity of the stomach decreases, which suppresses the feeling of hunger. Also, often women are worried not to gain excess weight and “not feed” the fetus, fearing difficult childbirth, so they subconsciously limit themselves in food.

The basic principle of nutrition of a pregnant woman: eat little, often and only the best!

What should a pregnant woman do to improve her appetite

  1. First of all, walk a lot. Be physically active, without undue stress, of course. Do what makes you happy and avoid everything that makes you sad.
  2. Take tests on time, saturate the body with the necessary micronutrients, nutrition or, if necessary, vitamin preparations.
  3. There are small portions, but often, 5-7 times a day. Eat liquid food. Drink a lot.
  4. Sleep longer at night and allow yourself daytime sleep.

During pregnancy, lack of appetite is a symptom that is mostly alarming. Nevertheless, it is forbidden to ignore it, if only because up to 80% of the health of the unborn child depends on the nutrition of the mother. And the woman herself needs to prepare for childbirth. Pretty compelling to do your best for a balanced diet during this critical period, right?

The child lost his appetite: what to do

The ideal child in terms of nutrition for many parents is the one who eats everything that is given and when they are given. Indeed, it is very convenient. But this practically does not happen and should not be. This is easy to explain: you can’t convince a child that you need to eat, it’s useful. He eats when he wants to, doesn't eat when he doesn't want to.

In general, the child refuses to eat in such cases:

  1. The child is full. This is good.
  2. The child is sick. This is bad, but in this case you need to treat, not feed.
  3. The child does not like what they offer. Well, there is only one way out: to prepare something else, after asking what the child would like.
  4. The child shows character or whims during meals - this is a protective reaction. Do not encourage him to persuade him to eat without fail, do not succumb to provocations.

None of the reasons mentioned gives adults the right to force a child to eat! It won't do any good. Any coercion is very harmful: for relationships, for the psyche and for health in the first place.

Of course, the lack of appetite in a child can be sought in another way. We have collected possible causes and recommendations for their elimination.

Helpful Hints

Teach your child to eat wholesome childhood foods. And then he will not have problems with lack of appetite, and with weight. Let the child not know the taste of harmful foods for as long as possible. Instead of sweets - dried fruits, instead of chips - homemade crackers, instead of sugar - honey, instead of purchased juices and waters - ordinary water, compotes and compotes. Enlist the support of relatives and people in contact with the child. Prohibit treating your child with lollipops and other edible garbage!

It is difficult to accustom a child to a culture of nutrition and healthy food if you yourself do not demonstrate this in everyday life. Be an example or do not demand from the child what is unusual in his environment.

If the child does not have an appetite, the reasons may not be related to satiety. By turning the meal into a cult, you let your child know that food is important to you. And the child uses this as a means of influencing you.

Reduce the importance of food. Let me not eat. The little stubborn one will miss a few dinners. So what? He will not die of hunger, but he will make sure that blackmail with food does not work.

Remember, a balanced diet is the key to good health. Make sure your child has a healthy appetite, but do not force him to eat a lot. Let everyone develop according to their individual needs.

Often the disease of lack of appetite sends us an alarm signal. Usually in such cases, accompanying symptoms are observed. However, not always. If a child has a high or low temperature, lack of appetite, weakness at the same time, act without delay.

Poor appetite: how to regain interest in food

In the absence of appetite, the causes cannot always be established quickly. But in the meantime, you can try to regain interest in food. If walking, physical activity, mood enhancement by all available methods did not work, there are many other ways that will help you achieve a positive result.

Get yourself a vitamin therapy. Special medicines will help bring the disturbed appetite back to normal. We do not specifically name them, because self-medication can do more harm than good. Consult a doctor and start with a multivitamin, or one of the vitamins: B12, iron, ascorbic acid, strictly observing the dose.

But foods that increase appetite, in moderation, can be consumed safely. If you have a poor appetite, add the following foods to your daily diet: lemon and other citrus fruits, sour apples, pomegranates, black radish, onions, garlic, sauerkraut, wild garlic, cranberries, mountain ash, blackberries, raspberries. Be sure to drink juices.

Another option, which also requires agreement with the doctor, is tinctures and decoctions of herbs that stimulate appetite. These include: dandelion roots, ginseng, pink radiola, marsh calamus, bitter wormwood, mint and lemon balm, yarrow, thyme, dill seeds and greens (fennel for newborns), plantain leaves and others. You can use one-component products or pharmacy fees.

HERBAL TINCTURE RECIPE FOR APPETITE: Prepare the collection: 50 g of bitter wormwood, 100 g of St. John's wort, 100 g of calamus root. 2 tbsp. l. collect these herbs in the evening, pour into a thermos and pour two glasses of boiling water. In the morning, strain, divide into 4 servings (150 g each). Take 4 times a day 15 minutes before meals.

MELISSE TEA RECIPE FOR APPETITE: Grind 2 tbsp. l. lemon balm. Pour two cups of boiling water and let it brew for four hours. Drink ½ cup before each meal throughout the day.

Sometimes it happens that the appetite disappears, and the sight of food provokes disgust and nausea. These symptoms are a signal that the body needs help. Lack of appetite, nausea can be triggered by overeating or chronic fatigue, as well as serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Such manifestations can also occur on a nervous basis. It is important to understand what caused the pathology and how to eliminate it.

Causes of symptoms

Through food, the body is saturated with energy, the protective functions are strengthened, new cells are produced, enzymes and hormones are formed.

Normal appetite is a signal from the body that it needs to replenish nutrients. When hunger appears, the concentration of glucose decreases, and if appetite does not appear, there is a violation of the nutritional balance, and a deficiency of elements.

With a deficiency of vital substances: proteins, trace elements, vitamins, there is a violation of the work of the human body.

Loss of appetite and nausea indicate a suspension of nutrient absorption. If the symptoms do not disappear within a day, you should contact your general practitioner, who, if necessary, will refer you to a gastroenterologist.

If the lack of appetite, nausea accompanies a person for a long time, this may be a signal of anorexia. This disease, in the absence of therapy, is fraught with muscle atrophy and disruption of the whole organism.

Non-pathological

Conventionally, the causes are divided into two broad groups: pathological and non-pathological.

If the manifestations last no more than four days, disappear on their own, rarely occur, are not accompanied by a sharp weight loss, vomiting, change in stool, loss of consciousness, this indicates non-pathological causes:

  1. Chronic fatigue. A busy work schedule, insufficient sleep, rest - all this is accompanied by a breakdown, fatigue. The lack of proper rest affects the central nervous system, the brain. He gives the wrong commands to the body, as a result, appetite disappears, malaise, nausea appear.
  2. Prolonged fasting. The constant struggle with excess weight, eating food in minimal quantities, cutting back on the diet, refusing to eat animal products can provoke the onset of the disorder. When food does not enter the stomach for a long time, the accumulated bile irritates the mucous membrane, which leads to a feeling of nausea. Refusal to eat is accompanied by a decrease in efficiency, weakness.
  3. Binge eating. It often happens that during the day there is no opportunity to eat, and in the evening it is quite difficult to keep hunger under control. A late hearty meal leads to a deterioration in well-being. Vomiting, headache, general malaise may be added to nausea.
  4. Pre and post menstrual syndrome, menstruation. Sudden fluctuations in the level of female hormones provoke malaise.


In addition, appetite may disappear, as well as nausea may appear against the background of:

  • stress;
  • regime violations;
  • unbalanced nutrition;
  • overwork;
  • inappropriate use of medications;
  • smoking, alcohol abuse.

Pathological

Sometimes a complex of symptoms signals a serious malfunction in the body. The doctor can identify the exact cause, conduct an examination and prescribe treatment. If nausea, loss of appetite, due to non-pathological causes, after the correction of lifestyle, diet or good rest passes on its own, then it will not be so easy to get rid of the malaise that appeared against the background of the disease. You will need medical attention and comprehensive treatment.

Nausea and lack of appetite can cause:

  1. Diseases of an infectious or viral nature. Usually, when you are sick, you do not want to eat. With the active production of leukocyte cells, the body directs forces precisely to this process, so that a person can get rid of unpleasant symptoms as soon as possible. Decrease in appetite is a justified measure. Due to the excessive concentration of toxic substances, malaise and nausea appear, which can only be eliminated by maintaining a normal water balance.
  2. Chemotherapy of oncological diseases. Due to such treatment, failures occur in all systems, including in the gastrointestinal tract. Appetite worsens, fatigue, malaise, nausea, urge to vomit appear.
  3. Pathologies of the cardiovascular system. People with hypertension often experience similar symptoms.
  4. Intoxication. Active reproduction of pathogens often causes nausea, loss of appetite.
  5. Mental disorders, depression. Such states are characterized by indifference to everything, malaise, loss of appetite.
  6. Chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastroduodenitis.
  7. Dysbacteriosis. Pathology is characterized by an imbalance of the microflora involved in digestion. Slow food processing, deterioration of well-being is due to the restriction of nutrient intake.
  8. Diseases of the endocrine system. Due to insufficient production of hormones, deterioration in well-being and malaise is possible.
  9. Diabetes. With the disease, metabolic processes and the absorption of glucose are disturbed. Because of this, nausea and loss of appetite may occur.
  10. Neurosis. Mental disorders characterized by excessive irritability, loss of appetite, nausea, malaise.
  11. Anorexia. Serious mental illness, life threatening. Prolonged refusal to eat leads to disgust, nausea.

Do not delay the treatment of the disease. The scheme of therapy, the duration of the course, the medication is selected by the doctor depending on the disease, its severity, and the age of the patient.

When to see a doctor

People rarely seek help from a doctor when their health worsens. Many prefer to get rid of the disorder on their own.

It's one thing if the malaise arose against the background of overeating and the condition quickly returns to normal without medication. Another thing is when the pathology is caused by disturbances in the functioning of the body. In this case, you can not do without the help of a doctor and treatment.

Situations requiring professional help:

  1. when the pathological condition does not go away for five or more days;
  2. if after waking up nausea increases, vomits;
  3. with the appearance of additional symptoms: pain in the chest, back, pre-syncope, loss of consciousness;
  4. when vomiting blood.

What to do if there is no appetite

Treatment for the pathology will vary depending on the cause. If the malaise arose due to lack of sleep, fatigue, rest is enough to normalize well-being. If an unpleasant condition is caused by a disease, you must consult a doctor and undergo treatment.

Consider how you can normalize appetite, get rid of nausea on your own.

  1. During pregnancy, you should make adjustments to your diet. Do not overeat, eat more food of plant origin, exclude fatty, smoked, spicy foods.
  2. Cancel medications, replace with an analogue, if you feel that you begin to feel sick after taking them.
  3. If the cause of the indisposition is a disease of a viral or infectious nature, in addition to taking prescribed medications, it is necessary to maintain water balance, drink more.
  4. Chamomile, nettle infusion, cranberry juice will improve the condition with PMS.
  5. The reception of Pancreasim, Mezim, Pancreatin will help in eliminating the ailment.


Elimination of nausea, normalization of appetite contributes to:

  • rejection of semi-finished products, fast food;
  • eating small meals, often;
  • drink at least 2.5 liters of water, non-carbonated mineral water per day;
  • cessation of smoking, alcohol.

Diet correction

  • citrus;
  • apples;
  • carrots in Korean;
  • pickled vegetables;
  • ginger;
  • salty cheeses;
  • fresh tomatoes;
  • sauerkraut.


In order to make up for the lack of all trace elements in the body, a person must eat properly and rationally. In the event that there is no appetite, and the food itself causes rejection and a lot of other unpleasant sensations, then the person needs help. Lack of appetite can be caused by many reasons, including not only diseases and pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. Few people know, but on a nervous basis, this can also happen. In what situations lack of appetite is accompanied by nausea and weakness, we will find out further.

Combination of symptoms

In order to understand what to look for the cause, you should analyze the specifics of all the symptoms:

Lack of appetite - the fact that a person would not hurt to eat is signaled by the brain, the neural endings of which send a signal to the digestive organs, forcing a person to think about food. As a result, gastric juice is gradually produced, and the level of insulin in the blood also increases. If there is no appetite, then the brain is busy with completely different, more important things at the moment. It can also be supported by diseases of the digestive tract, as a result of the progression of which, lack of appetite occurs as a natural protective reaction. Nausea - this process is also quite physiological, it is necessary in order to release the contents of the stomach in critical situations. This sign is extremely important in diagnosis, because in combination with other symptoms it allows a more accurate diagnosis. Weakness is a state known to everyone, especially those people who are forced to work hard and hard. A person with special difficulty manages to perform the usual actions, while feeling an increased load and fatigue.

Nausea, weakness and lack of appetite are perhaps the most common symptoms that both adults and children are familiar with. What prerequisites can influence the emergence of such a clinical picture?

The reasons

If we systematize all the possible causes that can cause weakness with nausea and a complete lack of appetite, then they can be conditionally divided into two large groups: pathological and non-pathological.

Non-pathological causes

These reasons have nothing to do with the presence of diseases. They arise if external pathogenic factors exert their influence on the body, or they occur as a natural process. Their main feature is as follows:

symptoms last no more than 4-5 days, after which they disappear on their own; do not require medical attention and medication; do not have life-threatening side effects on the body; may be repeated, but not more than once a month; do not cause acute weight loss.

Menstruation and premenstrual syndrome - in the course of hormonal adjustment and preparation for fertilization, a woman's body is literally subject to the actions of hormones. Sharp jumps in progesterone and estrogen, to which the body adapts gradually, can provoke nausea, weakness, and loss of appetite. When the cycle ends and a new one begins, a woman may also experience headaches and abdominal cramps, which is a completely natural process that does not require intervention. Overeating, especially at night - when during the day a person did not have the opportunity to fully eat, and meals were reduced to a maximum of fast food, then when you come home, where a delicious dinner is waiting, it is difficult to control yourself. As a result, the digestive tract organs did not have a load all day, and in the evening, when, in fact, the body and all its systems are preparing for sleep and slowing down their life support processes, the food eaten can cause poor sleep. Eating a heavy meal before bed leads to nausea, which indicates the inability of the pancreas to produce the right amount of enzymes. The symptoms are especially acute in the morning, when nausea can continue with vomiting, which will lead to weakness and lack of appetite. Prolonged fasting - unauthorized refusal of food, allegedly in order to lose extra pounds, can cause nausea and weakness. The fact is that if food does not enter the stomach for a long time, the produced secret adversely affects the mucous membranes, causing irritation. Sometimes nausea occurs immediately after a person experiences a strong feeling of hunger. Lack of food reduces performance, and also provokes weakness. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - observed in people who constantly experience fatigue and loss of energy. This condition is typical for people who work seven days a week, and the number of hours of work is greater than rest. Workaholism is commendable, but it affects health. The lack of proper sleep affects the nervous system and the brain, which can give the wrong commands to the entire body.

These reasons are most often encountered in everyday life, since the modern rhythm of life makes it impossible to eat well and have normal rest.

Pathological causes

Associated with the presence of a disease in the body. In most cases, medical attention is required to eliminate. This group includes the following reasons:

Dysbacteriosis is an intestinal disease in which the balance of beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms involved in the digestive process is disturbed. Poor digestion is detrimental to the entire body, since it is not possible to get all the nutrients from food that it is rich in. Endocrine diseases - hormonal imbalance and lack of production of certain hormones can provoke nausea, sometimes vomiting, followed by weakness and lack of appetite. Chronic diseases of the digestive system, which have become aggravated - most often such symptoms are inherent in gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, as well as gastroduodenitis. Nausea, weakness and lack of appetite are the first signs that old diseases require attention and timely preventive treatment. Mental disorders - if a person constantly experiences increased emotional stress and stress, while there is no rest and support from loved ones, depression may occur. This psycho-emotional state implies indifference to everything that happens around, and is also accompanied by a lack of appetite, nausea and general weakness. Intoxication - if pathogenic microorganisms are active in the body, this provokes intoxication. Especially often, such processes occur in the stomach and intestines, when, getting from outside, bacteria begin to actively “get used” to the body and take everything that is available from it. In this case, nausea and loss of appetite are the primary signs indicating the presence of pathogenic microflora. Cardiovascular diseases - similar symptoms are familiar to people suffering from chronic arterial hypertension, when the pressure in the body is increased. Nausea in this case can manifest itself even after eating, and weakness is dictated by the deterioration of blood vessels. Drug dependence - if a person voluntarily or out of necessity constantly takes medications, the gastrointestinal tract receives a tremendous load, digesting and assimilating chemical compounds. As a result, nausea and lack of appetite can indicate the presence of gastritis and peptic ulcer, as well as pathologies of the pancreas. The presence of oncological diseases - when a person has cancer (no matter what organ), and chemotherapy is carried out, all processes in the body go astray, including digestion. Appetite decreases, against which fatigue and drowsiness appear. Nausea and vomiting may occur, especially after taking chemotherapeutic agents. The presence of an infection or virus in the body - many will think about why, when you are sick, you don’t feel like eating at all. The answer is very simple. The fact is that at the time of active production of leukocyte cells, the body concentrates all its forces precisely on this process, allowing the patient to recover as soon as possible. Lack of appetite in this case is a justified measure. An excessive amount of toxins can provoke nausea and weakness, which can only be eliminated by maintaining sufficient water balance.

Also, a decrease and a complete lack of appetite, weakness and nausea are inherent in the following categories of the population:

Drug addicts - long-term use of narcotic drugs gradually reduces the sensitivity of the brain and nerve cells, which leads to social degradation. At the same time, all the processes occurring in the brain are aimed at only one thing: the search for a dose at any cost. People who smoke - nicotine kills microscopic cells in the stomach. Hence, the process of splitting food is somewhat complicated. In addition, tobacco smoke saturated with tar can affect the circulatory system, causing anemia. Alcoholism - the abuse of alcoholic beverages, which is carried out systematically, leads to disruption of the digestive processes, and also has a devastating effect on the cells of the pancreas and liver. Toxicosis of pregnant women - manifests itself as a protective reaction of the body. At the beginning of pregnancy, the hormonal background is rearranged in such a way that all conditions are favorable for the development of the fetus, although the body itself tries in every possible way to reject the fetus, perceiving it as a foreign substance.

TOP 5 reasons

Among the most rare diseases that speak of their existence, by provoking nausea, lack of appetite and weakness, there are:

Diabetes mellitus - is determined by a metabolic disorder in the body, as well as the absorption of glucose. A person for quite a long time may not suspect that he has problems with the pancreas and the hormonal system. Pathology can develop over years and decades, until it takes an acute form with more dangerous symptoms. Neurosis is a disorder of mental balance in which a person, under the influence of external stimuli, leaves the comfort zone. Nausea in neurosis appears exactly after the appetite disappears. It is logical to assume that if food does not enter the body, then there is no energy, and as a result, weakness appears. Pathology of the thyroid gland - a rather small size of this gland can cause big health problems when its activity becomes uncontrolled. Lack or excess of thyroid hormones provoke various pathologies and diseases that are difficult to correct and treat. Oncology - in 95% of all cases of cancer diagnosis falls on a random examination. A person may not be aware of his problem, and the usual morning sickness, lack of appetite and weakness will be attributed to increased fatigue at work. Anorexia is a disease associated with a mental disorder, is the most life-threatening. Long-term refusal of food plays a cruel joke on a person, subsequently provoking a complete disgust for any food, even if it previously caused complete delight. Sudden weight loss always accompanies dizziness and insomnia. Absolutely all processes in the body are disrupted, so all available forces are aimed at maintaining vital processes.

When is medical help needed?

Only 3% of all patients who report persistent nausea, weakness and loss of appetite seek medical help. The majority of conscientious patients are ready to give thousands for a “pills for all diseases” recommended by a kind aunt from a pharmacy.

Consider a number of situations where medical assistance is really urgently needed:

Nausea does not go away for more than 5 days, increases after waking up and ends with vomiting. In addition to general symptoms, more specific manifestations appear: pain in the abdomen, throat, back. The body temperature rises and is not knocked down by any medications. There is an acute onset of pain. There are bleeding.

In these cases, it makes no sense to try to help a person on your own. Self-medication is not only inappropriate, but can also cause complications. The most correct choice is a consultation with a doctor and a complete medical examination.


What actions can be taken?

If the appeared nausea, lack of appetite and weakness can be compared with the prerequisites (overeating, poisoning, PMS), and the general condition of the patient does not cause concern, you can resort to such actions as:

Drink plenty of pure mineral water. Take medicines with enzymes: Pancreatin, Mezim, Pancreazim, which will speed up the digestion process, and also help digest everything that the body could not break down on its own. PMS pain and lack of appetite can be eliminated with cranberry juice, nettle decoction and chamomile tea. If there are signs of infection or a virus on the face, the main task in this case is to maintain water balance (to prevent dehydration and accelerate the removal of toxins from the body), as well as taking antiviral and antibacterial drugs.

Of course, the main reason is connected precisely with malnutrition, so you can reduce the manifestation of unpleasant symptoms and completely remove them using the following recommendations:

Refuse fast food, eat only healthy food. Eat fractionally, not in one meal, but in 5-6. The smaller the portion, the faster it is digested and absorbed in the body, without burdening it. Drink more pure mineral water, since it is the lack of water in the body that provokes a violation of all vital processes at the cellular level. Eat lean meats and fresh vegetables. Refuse fasting, even if it is for medicinal purposes. Only sports and proper nutrition contribute to weight loss. Pass an annual medical examination, without ignoring the testimony of doctors.

Thus, the unpleasant symptoms of nausea and loss of appetite can be associated with more than a hundred diseases, different in their direction. This fact indicates that if the symptoms do not go away on their own, and the clinical picture is supplemented by new manifestations, then you should definitely seek help from a doctor.

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Weakness or loss of strength

Weakness or loss of strength- a common and rather complex symptom, the occurrence of which depends on the impact of a number of physiological and psychological factors. In most cases, patients describe weakness in accordance with their individual feelings.

For some, weakness is identical to severe fatigue, for others - this term refers to possible dizziness, absent-mindedness, loss of attention and lack of energy.


Thus, many medical professionals characterize weakness as a subjective feeling of the patient, which reflects a lack of energy necessary to perform daily work and duties that the person was able to perform without problems before the onset of weakness.

Causes of Weakness

Weakness is a common symptom inherent in the widest list of diseases. The necessary studies and analyzes, as well as concomitant weaknesses and other clinical manifestations, allow to establish the exact cause of the disease.

The mechanism of the onset of weakness, its nature - are due to the cause that provoked the occurrence of this symptom. The state of fatigue can occur both as a result of strong emotional, nervous or physical overstrain, and as a result of chronic or acute diseases and conditions. In the first case, weakness can disappear on its own without any consequences - there is enough good sleep and rest.

Flu

So, a popular cause of weakness is influenza - an acute viral infectious disease, accompanied by general intoxication of the body. Along with weakness, additional symptoms appear here:

elevated temperature; photophobia; pain in the head, joints and muscles; intense sweating.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia

The occurrence of weakness is characteristic of another common phenomenon - vegetative-vascular dystonia, which is a whole complex of various symptoms, among which are noted:

sleep disturbance; dizziness; interruptions in the work of the heart.

Rhinitis

Rhinitis, which becomes chronic, in turn, is accompanied by the resulting swelling of the nasal mucosa, which eventually leads to an effect on the pituitary gland. Under this influence, the normal functioning of the main endocrine gland involved in the edema area is disturbed. The resulting failures in the work of the pituitary gland lead to an imbalance in many body systems: endocrine, nervous, immune, etc.

Other causes of weakness

Sudden and severe weakness is a symptom inherent in severe poisoning, general intoxication.

In a healthy person, weakness can result from: brain injury, blood loss- as a result of a sharp decrease in pressure.

Women are weak during menstruation.

Also weakness inherent in anemia- a disease characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin contained in red blood cells. Considering that this substance carries oxygen from the respiratory organs to the tissues of the internal organs, an insufficient amount of hemoglobin in the blood leads to oxygen starvation experienced by the body.

Constant weakness is inherent in vitamin deficiency- a disease indicating a lack of vitamins. This usually occurs as a result of adherence to rigid and irrational diets, poor and monotonous nutrition.

Chronic fatigue

Chronic fatigue is a protective reaction of the body to constant overload. And not necessarily physical. Emotional stress can deplete the nervous system no less. The feeling of fatigue can be compared to a stopcock that does not allow the body to bring itself to the edge.

A number of chemical elements are responsible for the feeling of good spirits and a surge of fresh energy in our body. We list just a few of them:

serotonin: with a lack of this neurotransmitter, there is a feeling of disharmony with the outside world; oxygen: its deficiency in tissues adversely affects performance and overall well-being; iron: the lack of this trace element leads to weakness, lethargy, chilliness; iodine: without the required volume of this substance, malfunctions occur in the "hormone factory" - the thyroid gland; vitamins C, D, B6, B1: their acute deficiency provokes a weakening of the immune system, problems with concentration, memory, and mood.

More often this disease affects residents of large cities engaged in business or other very responsible and hard work, living in adverse environmental conditions, with unhealthy ambitions, constantly under stress, malnourished and not involved in sports.

Based on the above, it becomes clear why chronic fatigue has become an epidemic in developed countries in recent years. In the USA, Australia, Canada, Western European countries, the incidence of chronic fatigue syndrome is from 10 to 40 cases per 100,000 population.

CFS - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Weakness is an essential symptom of physical and mental strain. So, among modern people who have to be subjected to colossal workloads, the so-called. chronic fatigue syndrome.

Anyone can develop CFS, although it is more common in women. Usually:

the disease occurs more often in people of the age category of 28-45 years; women get sick 2 times more often than men; risk group, these are people whose work is associated with constant stress, for example, journalists, businessmen, dispatchers, as well as those living in areas with poor environmental conditions (increased chemical pollution, high radiation pollution); in 99% of cases, chronic fatigue occurs in people who are in rooms that have artificial lighting for a long time; there is a direct relationship between the violation of biorhythms in humans and the development of chronic fatigue syndrome.

This condition indicates the extreme depletion of the supply of vitality. Weakness here arises as physical and emotional overload increases. Further, already constant weakness and loss of strength are accompanied by a number of additional symptoms:

drowsiness; irritability; loss of appetite; dizziness; loss of concentration; distraction.

The reasons

Chronic sleep deprivation. Overwork. Emotional stress. Viral infections. Situation.

Treatment

Complexity of treatment is the main principle. One of the important conditions of treatment is also the observance of the protective regimen and the constant contact of the patient with the attending physician.

Today, chronic fatigue is treated using various methods of cleansing the body, the introduction of special preparations is carried out in order to normalize the functioning of the central nervous system and brain activity, as well as to restore the functioning of the endocrine, immune and gastrointestinal systems. In addition, psychological rehabilitation plays an important role in solving this problem.

The treatment program for chronic fatigue syndrome must include:

normalization of the regime of rest and physical activity; unloading and dietary therapy; vitamin therapy with preparations of vitamins B1, B6, B12 and C; general or segmental massage together with hydroprocedures and physiotherapy exercises; autogenic training or other active methods of normalizing the psycho-emotional background, psychotherapy; general immunocorrectors with an adaptogenic effect; other aids (daytime tranquilizers, enterosorbents, nootropics, antihistamines in the presence of allergies).

In addition to treatment from specialists, you can relieve fatigue with simple lifestyle tips. For example, try to regulate your physical activity by balancing the periods of sleep and wakefulness, do not overload yourself and do not try to do more than you can do. Otherwise, it may negatively affect the prognosis of CFS. Over time, periods of activity can be increased.

By properly managing the available forces, you can do more things. To do this, you need to properly plan your schedule for the day and even the week ahead. By doing things right—instead of rushing to get as much done as possible in a short space of time—you can make steady progress.

The following rules may also help:

avoid stressful situations; refrain from alcohol, caffeine, sugar and sweeteners; avoid any foods and drinks that cause a negative reaction of the body; Eat regular small meals to relieve nausea rest a lot; try not to sleep for a long time, as excessively long sleep can worsen symptoms.

Folk remedies

St. John's wort. We take 1 cup (300 ml) of boiling water and add 1 tablespoon of dry St. John's wort to it. Infuse this infusion should be in a warm place for 30 minutes. Scheme of use: 1/3 cup three times a day 20 minutes before meals. Duration of admission - no more than 3 weeks in a row. Plantain common. It is necessary to take 10 g of dry and carefully crushed leaves of the common plantain and pour 300 ml of boiling water over them, insist for 30-40 minutes in a warm place. Scheme of use: 2 tablespoons at one time, three times a day for half an hour before meals. Duration of admission - 21 days. Collection. Mix 2 tablespoons of oats, 1 tablespoon of dry peppermint leaves and 2 tablespoons of tartar (prickly) leaves. The resulting dry mixture is poured with 5 cups of boiling water and infused for 60-90 minutes in a dish wrapped in a terry towel. Scheme of use: by? glass 3-4 times a day before meals. Duration of admission - 15 days. Clover. You need to take 300 grams of dried meadow clover flowers, 100 grams of regular sugar and a liter of warm water. We put the water on the fire, bring to a boil and pour in the clover, cook for 20 minutes. Then the infusion is removed from the heat, cooled, and only after that the specified amount of sugar is added to it. You need to take clover infusion 150 ml 3-4 times a day, instead of tea / coffee. Lingonberries and strawberries. You will need leaves of strawberries and lingonberries, 1 tablespoon each - they are mixed and poured with boiling water in an amount of 500 ml. The drug is infused in a thermos for 40 minutes, then drink a tea cup three times a day.

aromatherapy

When you need to relax or de-stress, put a few drops of lavender oil on a handkerchief and inhale its scent. Smell a few drops of rosemary oil applied to a handkerchief when you feel mentally and physically tired (but not in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy). For chronic fatigue, take a relaxing warm bath, adding two drops of geranium, lavender and sandalwood oils and one drop of ylang-ylang to the water. To lift your spirits when you're depressed, inhale the scent of a mixture of oils applied to a handkerchief each morning and evening. To prepare it, mix 20 drops of clary sage oil and 10 drops of rose oil and basil oil. Do not use sage and basil oil during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Flower essences are designed to relieve mental disorders and relieve tension in the emotional sphere. They are especially helpful if you are depressed or have lost interest in life:

clematis (clematis): to be more cheerful; olive: for all types of stress; wild rose: with apathy; willow: if you are burdened by the lifestyle restrictions imposed by the disease.

Weakness symptoms

Weakness is characterized by a decline in physical and nervous strength. She is characterized by apathy, loss of interest in life.

Weakness caused by the development of acute infectious diseases occurs suddenly. Its increase is directly related to the rate of development of the infection and the resulting intoxication of the body.

The nature of the appearance of weakness in a healthy person as a result of a strong physical or nervous strain is associated with the amount of overload. Usually in this case, signs of weakness appear gradually, accompanied by a loss of interest in the work being done, the onset of fatigue, loss of concentration and absent-mindedness.

Approximately the same character is weakness caused by prolonged fasting or in the case of a strict diet. Along with the indicated symptom, external signs of beriberi appear:

pallor of the skin; increased fragility of nails; dizziness; hair loss, etc.

Weakness treatment

Treatment of weakness should be based on the elimination of the factor that provoked its appearance.

In the case of infectious diseases, the root cause is the action of the infectious agent. Here apply appropriate drug therapy supported by the necessary measures aimed at increasing immunity.

In a healthy person, weakness resulting from overwork is eliminated by itself. The main control measures proper sleep and rest.

In the treatment of weakness caused by overwork, nervous strain, restoring nerve strength and increasing the stability of the nervous system. To this end, therapeutic measures are aimed, first of all, at the normalization of the regime of work and rest, the elimination of negative, irritating factors. Effective use of funds herbal medicine, massage.

In some cases, the elimination of weakness will require diet correction, adding to it foods rich in vitamins and essential trace elements.

Questions and answers on the topic "Weakness"

Question:Good afternoon! I'm 55 years old. I have severe sweating, weakness, fatigue. I have hepatitis C, doctors say I'm not active. It is felt in the right side under the liver a ball round with a fist. I feel very bad, I often visit doctors, but there is no sense. What to do? They send me for a paid examination, but there is no money, they don’t want to be hospitalized, they say that I’m still breathing, I haven’t fallen yet.

Answer: Hello. Complaints about poor-quality medical care - the hotline of the Ministry of Health: 8 800 200-03-89.

Question:I've been going to doctors for 14 years. I have no strength, constant weakness, my legs are wadded, I want and want to sleep. The thyroid gland is normal, hemoglobin is lowered. They lifted it, but did not find from what. Sugar is normal, and sweat is pouring hail. No strength, I can lie all day. Help advise what to do.

Answer: Hello. Did you consult a cardiologist?

Question:Good afternoon! Please tell me, I have cervical chondrosis, it often hurts in the back of the head and radiates to the frontal part, especially when I cough in the frontal part it gives pain. I'm scared if it could be cancer, God forbid. Thank you!

Answer: Hello. This is a manifestation of cervical chondrosis.

Question:Hello! Severe weakness, especially in the legs and arms, appeared suddenly, there are no headaches, there is anxiety, excitement. I had an endocrinologist, a therapist, a cardiologist, I did an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, took injections, and the condition is the same: either there is a strong heaviness in the whole body, then it lets go. Thank you!

Answer: Hello. If the endocrinologist, therapist and cardiologist did not find anything, then it remains to consult a neuropathologist to exclude circulatory disorders in the vessels of the spine and brain. If weakness appeared against the background of stress, depression - see a psychotherapist.

Question:In the morning, severe weakness, lack of appetite, everything shakes inside, the head seems to be in a fog, vision becomes scattered, there is no concentration of attention, fear, depression about one's condition.

Answer: Hello. There can be many reasons, you need to check the thyroid gland, hemoglobin and consult a neurologist and a psychotherapist.

Question:Hello, for 2 weeks I feel weakness in the evening, nausea, I don’t feel like eating, indifference to life. Tell me what it could be

Answer: Hello. There can be many reasons, you need to consult a therapist in person who will refer you for an examination.

Question:Hello, I’m 49, I’m doing fitness, I work on my feet, but recently I’ve had a breakdown, I feel dizzy. I sleep at least 8 hours, my hemoglobin is normal, I checked my thyroid gland, I take magnesium as directed, my blood pressure is low (all my life). Please advise what else needs to be checked.

Answer: Hello. Internal consultation of the neurologist concerning dizzinesses is necessary to you.

Question:Hello, age 25, woman, for about a month, severe weakness, dizziness, apathy, constantly wanting to sleep, no appetite. Tell me what to do?

Answer: Hello. If this happens while taking medications, you should discuss this with your doctor, if not, you need an internal consultation with a neurologist (dizziness).

Question:Hello, constant weakness in general, I can’t live normally, problems started with my back and life is derailed, I’m afraid that I won’t find a solution to the problem and I don’t know how to solve it in principle, can you advise something? I am very excited, I live in fear, I am 20 years old, I am afraid to go crazy.

Answer: Hello. Constant weakness is a symptom of many diseases and conditions. You need to conduct an examination - take blood tests: general, biochemical, thyroid hormones and apply for an internal appointment with a therapist and psychologist.

Question:Hello! I am 22 years old. I've been dizzy for 4 days now. And it is hard to breathe and to all this I feel weak and tired. A week ago, for two days after a hard weekend, there was blood from my nose. Can you tell me what could be causing these problems? Thanks for the answer.

Answer: It is possible that you are overtired. Tell me, please, have you recently had situations when you slept poorly and little, spent too much time at the computer? The symptoms described by you can be at increase in arterial pressure, at intracranial hypertension. I recommend that you do M-ECHO, EEG and consult a neurologist.

Question:For 3 months, the temperature is about 37, dry mouth, fatigue. Blood and urine tests are fine. Recently, he often had a sore throat and was treated with antibiotics.

Answer: This temperature is not considered elevated and, in the absence of complaints, does not require treatment, but if you are worried about fatigue, dry mouth, you need to undergo a series of examinations. I recommend that you do a bacteriological analysis (sowing from the pharynx), a blood test for sugar, as well as an analysis for thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4, antibodies to TPO), since these symptoms can be a manifestation of many diseases. I also recommend that you do such a study, an immunogram and visit an immunologist personally.

Question:Hello, I am 34 years old, female, for about 3 years - constant weakness, shortness of breath, sometimes my arms and legs swell. There is no pain anywhere, dizziness is rare, gynecologically everything is in order, the pressure is normal, only sometimes the temperature is from 37.5 and above, without a cold, just like that. But the weakness has been getting stronger lately, especially after sleep, and lately I can’t cure colds or colds in any way, I’ve been coughing for a month or more (not strong). I will not go to the doctors about this, I want to ask about it here. Is it chronic fatigue syndrome? And is there any way to get rid of this?

Answer: I advise you to go through a comprehensive examination without fail, go to a clinic for vegetative disorders or any psychosomatic clinic, where you will definitely be assigned consultations of all specialists (psychiatrist, neurologist, endocrinologist, cardiologist). After the examination, the doctors will make a decision for you. Psychotherapy is a must!

Question:Hello! I'm 19 years old. For the last week I have been feeling unwell. The stomach hurts, sometimes it gives to the lower back, sometimes there is a slight nausea. Fatigue, loss of appetite (more precisely, sometimes I want to eat, but when I look at food, I feel sick), weakness. What could be the reason for this? I have low blood pressure all the time, I have problems with the thyroid gland.

Answer: Perform a blood test, urine test, gynecological examination.

Question:Hello. I'm 22, at work in the office it suddenly became ill. Her head was spinning, she almost fainted. No fever, cough, runny nose. Not a cold condition. This was not the case before. And I still feel weak. I have recently observed a tired state, after work I fall down, although I work 8 hours, not physically. I exclude pregnancy, because. was menstruating. What tests would you recommend to take to determine what's wrong?

Answer: Hello! Hand over the developed general or common analysis of a blood, it is necessary to exclude anemia first of all. Check your blood for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) on any day of your cycle. Monitor your blood pressure for a few days to see if there is a drop in pressure. If nothing comes to light, then additionally consult a neurologist, it is necessary to exclude circulatory disorders in the vessels of the spine, brain.