Is Having No Appetite a Symptom of Stress?

While most individuals tend to overeat under stress, others eat less. When your urge to eat decreases, you have decreased or no appetite. Lack of or poor appetite are other names for this condition. This condition is known as anorexia in the medical field.

Many different health problems can cause loss of appetite. Mental health issues sit alongside physical ones on this list. Losing their hunger can lead to other health problems, including losing weight or being malnourished. Diagnosing and treating the underlying cause of having no appetite is crucial, as many conditions can progress rapidly if left untreated.

You need fuel from your food to keep your body functioning properly. Your brain and stomach coordinate to tell you when you’re hungry and when you’ve had enough to eat. No appetite is an indicator of potential health issues. Acute illnesses are common causes of short-term loss of hunger. However, a lack of appetite that doesn’t go away might indicate a major health problem. The best way to deal with the problem will depend on your ability to identify why you have no desire for food.

What Is Loss of Appetite?

Inability or lack of interest in eating is what we mean when we talk about losing appetite. A few possible results of this are:

• Having already experienced a satisfying fullness
• Dislike of the food’s appearance, aroma, or flavour (food aversion)
• Using medication and/or drugs
• Suffering a medical condition/illness

As with any symptom or condition, there might be multiple reasons why you’re not eating, and the process may be rapid or take place over a protracted length of time; concern should be raised if you experience no inclination to eat for more than a week. There may be other signs of having no appetite such as:

• Lack of energy, weariness, or Burnout
• Feelings of nausea and vomiting
• Weakness in the muscles
• Irritable bowel syndrome or constipation
• Transformative alterations to the externals: hair, skin, and nails

Causes of Loss of Appetite

There are many medical, medicinal, mental, and physical causes of loss of appetite as follows:

Medical

In most cases, having no appetite isn’t the underlying problem. Instead, it signifies the presence of another complication. Occasionally, the root of the problem is short-lived, like when someone has a tummy bug. Other times, though, it may be more persistent, and treatment may be necessary. Examples of these conditions include:

• Aging: It’s common for people’s appetites to shift as they become older. Alterations in taste, dementia, illness, and adverse drug reactions can all contribute to an older person’s loss of desire to eat
• Anemia: A lack of normal red blood cells causes anaemia. Paired with weariness, no appetite, and weight loss, might be anaemia indicators
• Cancer: Loss of appetite is a typical symptom of cancer. Malignancies of the digestive system, such as the stomach and pancreas, but also cancers of the lung and ovary, have been related to this condition
• Diabetes: There are several reasons why people with diabetes might not feel hungry. High amounts of ketones in the blood and urine may result from untreated high blood sugar
• Hypothyroidism: Having hypothyroidism may make you lose your appetite. Despite eating less, this might still cause weight gain
• Infections: Many types of stomach infections cause people to lose their appetite. A lack of hunger is another symptom of a cold, flu, or another ailment
• Medication: Sleeping pills, blood pressure drugs, anabolic steroids, diuretics, and painkillers are just some medications that might cause a person to lose their appetite. There’s a chance they’ll make you sick and tired, too
• Pain: When your pain level is high, you may not feel like eating. Loss of appetite is a common symptom of discomfort, whether from a migraine, an upset stomach, or any other source
• Pregnancy: Having no inclination to eat and nausea are common complaints among pregnant women, especially in the first trimester
• Stomach Issues: Appetite suppression is a common symptom of digestive disorders, including digestive problems and Crohn’s disease that affect the stomach

Medicinal

Many drugs cause stomach problems, including loss of appetite, bloating, and gas, as well as other symptoms like constipation and diarrhoea. This frequently occurs as drugs go through the digestive system. Some common medications and therapies that may result in decreased hunger are:

• Antibiotics
• Chemotherapy
• Sedatives
• Immunotherapy
• Radiation therapy to the stomach region
• After surgery
• After anaesthetic medicine

Loss of appetite is another side effect of recreational drug usage, including cannabis, cocaine, and amphetamines. Although substance use might cause weight increase for some, it can also cause weight loss in others.

Mental

Several mental health issues might make it difficult to eat. Loss of appetite can be brought on by anything from extreme emotional stress to a clinical mental disorder diagnosis. If you’re feeling down in the dumps mentally, lifting that cloud might help you eat more.

Some frequent mental factors that lead to loss of appetite are as follows:

• Anxiety: Anxiety might cause one to lose their appetite if it becomes too overwhelming
• Depression: Those suffering from serious depression may lose all their appetite. They might not have the motivation to cook or the desire to eat. Nausea is another side effect
• Stress: Some people actually eat more when stressed out than usual because their bodies react to stress by increasing their hunger. Stress can cause a variety of unpleasant physical symptoms, including loss of appetite due to feelings of nausea

Physical

The ability to sense hunger can be affected by physiological changes, leading to anorexia. Among the possible causes are:

• Dehydration
• An injury
• Pain
• Dental problems or tooth pain
• Reduced sense of smell or taste

The Role Stress Plays in Loss of Appetite

Physical and mental stress are equally formidable. They may affect metabolism, make us more susceptible to infections, harm our cardiovascular health, and unexpectedly impact our mental health. When under a lot of stress, some people suppress their hunger for extended periods. Others, on the other hand, become mindless eaters when under stress.

Those who quit eating do so because they are preoccupied with their stress rather than their hunger; people who overeat often do it to divert their attention from other issues. Stress can manifest in various ways, including nausea that reduces appetite.

The Impact of Loss of Appetite

If a short-term ailment is the root cause of a lower appetite than usual, you’re likely to heal without suffering long-term consequences. The problem could worsen if left untreated with a diminished hunger potentially being accompanied by more serious symptoms, such as:

• Weight loss
• Fever
• Malaise
• Extreme fatigue or Burnout
• A rapid heart rate or heart palpitations
• Irritability

You may experience potentially fatal problems if your low appetite continues, and you become malnourished or experience vitamin and electrolyte shortages. Therefore, you should contact a doctor if you have no hunger that persists after an acute sickness or lasts for more than a few weeks.

When To Be Concerned

If it persists, no appetite due to stress can lead to undernourishment and waste. Finding the cause of a lack of hunger is crucial, as the condition can worsen rapidly if left untreated. If someone’s loss of appetite lasts more than a few days, they should see a doctor. They should also contact a doctor if they lose a lot of weight quickly. In addition to having no appetite, a person should seek medical attention if they have any of the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Coughing
• Stomach pain
• Shortness of breath
• A rapid or irregular heartbeat

Top Tips to Recover Loss of Appetite

Anxiety and stress can cause a loss of appetite, but there are things you can do to get your appetite back:

#1. Find Out What Causes Your Stress

You can get to the bottom of your inability to eat by identifying the stress contributing to the issue. A coach or therapist may help you learn coping mechanisms once you’ve pinpointed the sources of your stress.

#2. Ensure That You Receive Adequate Sleep

You should sleep for approximately 7 – 9 hours to overcome a lack of appetite brought on by stress.

#3. Find Meals You Can Eat and Stick To Them

Choose foods that are easy to digest and that you know you won’t have to consume as much when you’re under the most stress.

Where Can I Get Help to Recover From Loss of Appetite

If you’ve had no inclination to eat for a while, you should see your doctor who will ensure the cause of your inability to eat is identified. Your lower appetite may have a cause, which a nutritionist or coach may explain. You can pick foods that will increase your hunger with the nutritionist’s assistance.

FAQ

References

1. ncbi.gov – Loss of Appetite in Adult Patients – found no 18/01/2023
   Link to page on ncbi.gov