Loss of appetite in the elderly is more dangerous than you think. Get checked quickly before it’s too late. We often see that the elderly don’t eat much, eat less, or even eat something but don’t like it. This makes the caregiver worry. 

Because when anorexia occurs in the elderly , it will result in easy fatigue, exhaustion, and lack of energy because the body does not receive enough nutrients. In this article, SAMH will introduce you to what you should know about anorexia in the elderly, along with ways to solve this problem for everyone.

Factors causing anorexia in the elderly

Factors that cause anorexia in the elderly are many, resulting from physical changes, hormones, chronic illnesses, nutritional needs, ยูฟ่าเบท http://ufabet999.app and oral problems. Details of each factor are as follows:

1. Physical changes

Physical changes are another factor that causes loss of appetite in the elderly , such as: 

• The body produces less saliva: causing the elderly to have difficulty swallowing and mixing food. 
• The body has changes in the physiology of the digestive system: In the elderly, it takes longer to digest food because there is less digestive juice in the stomach. The contraction and relaxation of the stomach are slower. The intestines do not function properly, making digestion more difficult. The elderly may also feel a feeling of fullness in the stomach, which reduces their appetite for the next meal.
• Constipation: This problem is common and contributes to decreased appetite and bloating, eventually leading to loss of appetite in the elderly.

2. Hormonal changes

For hormonal changes that cause anorexia in the elderly, such as the following examples:

• Ghrelin is reduced: This hormone causes hunger. It is released into the stomach cells after releasing energy to the brain. It then stimulates the body’s hunger. If ghrelin is reduced, appetite will also decrease. 
• Increased Cholecystokinin Hormone: This is a hormone that helps suppress hunger. If this hormone in the body increases, it will cause loss of appetite in the elderly .
• Leptin hormone increases: Leptin is a satiety hormone that plays an important role in controlling body weight and appetite. If leptin hormone increases, appetite decreases.

3. Chronic illness

When the elderly have chronic illnesses such as heart disease, kidney failure, liver disease, or medications that cause nausea and vomiting, such as blood pressure medications, certain antibiotics, heart medications, diuretics, and especially lipid-lowering medications, these often result in a decrease in appetite in the elderly.

A good way to take care of your health to prevent various diseases is the item Blood Sugar Monitor. It will help prevent abnormal blood sugar levels that may lead to complications such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, etc.

4. Nutritional requirements

The body’s nutritional needs depend on daily activities and the energy the body needs. Elderly people move their bodies less, which results in reduced muscle mass. And of course, fat will increase, resulting in the body having enough energy stores for use. This is another factor that causes loss of appetite in the elderly .

5. Oral problems

Oral problems are another major factor that causes loss of appetite in the elderly because they make chewing food less efficient. They may also have problems with gums and weak teeth, such as chipped teeth, broken teeth, tooth decay, receding gums, and loose dentures, causing pain while chewing or swallowing food. Therefore, they try to avoid eating frequently.

However, some elderly people experience dry saliva and a dry throat while chewing food due to reduced moisture in the mouth. They also have difficulty swallowing, choking on food and water frequently, which makes them not want to eat food at all, even their favorite foods.