**Symptoms and Manifestations of Anorexia:**
– Anorexia is characterized by decreased or loss of appetite.
– Lack of hunger or desire to eat is common.
– Nausea from the thought of eating can be experienced.
– It may go unnoticed until weight loss occurs.
– Clinically significant if appetite changes lead to unintended weight or muscle loss.
**Physiology and Causes of Anorexia:**
– Anorexia involves complex brain-body interactions in appetite regulation.
– Imbalance in hormones and signals like neuropeptide Y, leptin, ghrelin, insulin, serotonin, and orexins can lead to anorexia.
– Infection-induced anorexia is part of the acute phase response.
– Other causes include emotional distress, stress, unpleasant thoughts, and certain medications.
**Complications and Risks Associated with Anorexia:**
– Poor food intake can lead to dehydration, nutritional deficiencies, electrolyte imbalances, and anemia.
– Anorexia can result in sudden cardiac death due to dangerous electrolyte imbalances.
– Refeeding syndrome, if not managed properly, can lead to potentially fatal complications.
**Medical Conditions Related to Anorexia:**
– Anorexia can be observed in various medical conditions such as cancer, celiac disease, hypothyroidism, cachexia, and underweight conditions.
– Uremic anorexia and anorexia nervosa have specific clinical implications and associations with biochemistry and mental health.
**Treatment and Management of Anorexia:**
– Guidelines exist for the use of orexigenic drugs, behavioral therapy, and surgical interventions in managing anorexia.
– Home care is crucial post-tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.
– Psychological counseling is often part of the treatment for anorexia nervosa.
– Anorexia in animals, including dogs, cats, and livestock, also requires attention due to its serious health implications.
Anorexia is a medical term for a loss of appetite. While the term outside of the scientific literature is often used interchangeably with anorexia nervosa, many possible causes exist for a loss of appetite, some of which may be harmless, while others indicate a serious clinical condition or pose a significant risk.
| Anorexia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Specialty | Family medicine, Internal medicine |
| Symptoms | Not wanting to eat, no hunger, dizziness, weakness |
Anorexia is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Anorexia is not to be confused with the mental health disorder anorexia nervosa. Because the term 'anorexia' is often used as a short-form of anorexia nervosa, to avoid confusion a provider must clarify to a patient whether they are simply referring to a decreased appetite or the mental health disorder. Anyone can manifest anorexia as a loss of appetite, regardless of their sex, age, or weight.
The symptom also occurs in other animals, such as cats, dogs, cattle, goats, and sheep. In these species, anorexia may be referred to as inappetence. As in humans, loss of appetite can be due to a range of diseases and conditions, as well as environmental and psychological factors.
