Loss of appetite in an elderly person: what are the causes?

We are dealing with this issue at the moment. Between depression and a serious illness, our old man is not really interested in eating. It has reached a point where the doctor has said “if you can get him to eat it, give it to him.” Considering that your favorite foods are bad for the medical condition, the problem that can become poor appetite is underlined.

Various problems can cause this problem. As mentioned, depression is one of them. Usually the depressed patient is also very anxious, adding another blow to the appetite stimulation. Alleviating these two problems is the only way to solve it.

The pain of the various ailments that our elderly suffer can decrease the appetite. The medicines they take for pain don’t help much. If they are taking strong pain relievers, they may not even remember to eat.

Memory leak is a third area that causes this problem. It’s not so much about poor appetite as forgetting to eat in the first place. This requires direct intervention. Someone has to put down a plate of food and place the old man in front of him.

It’s probably not surprising that a stroke can deter your appetite. Not only can it affect areas of the brain that trigger hunger, but a stroke can also trigger depression. Depending on the severity, this may require skilled nursing care to resolve.

Kidney disease, especially in the later stages, is a fifth cause. Waste products in the bloodstream can prevent the body from recognizing hunger pangs. At this point, the patient often feels too sick to eat. Dialysis can help here.

It is very important for an elderly person’s doctor to know about loss of appetite and abnormal weight loss. These conditions are serious and require medical intervention.