Anorexia

Anorexia (deriving from the Greek "α(ν)-" (a(n)-, a prefix that denotes absence) + "όρεξη (orexe) = appetite) is the decreased sensation of appetite. While the term in non-scientific publications is often used interchangeably with anorexia nervosa, many possible causes exist for a decreased appetite, some of which may be harmless, while others indicate a serious clinical condition, or pose a significant risk.

Causes

• Satiation following the consumption of food. This is normal and is called postprandial anorexia.

Clinically important

• Acute Radiation Syndrome.
• AIDS.
• Anorexia nervosa.
• acute appendicitis where it accompanies the presenting symptom of abdominal pain, often with vomiting.
• Cancer.
• Chronic renal failure.
• Congestive heart failure, perhaps due to congestion of the liver with venous blood.
• Crohn's Disease.
• Dementia.
• Severe Depression.
• Sickness behavior[1][2]
• Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome.
• Ulcerative Colitis.

Drugs

• Amphetamine (Adderall), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine & Dextrostat).
• Antidepressants can have anorexia as a side effect.
• Dextromethylphenidate (Focalin).
• Abrupt cessation of appetite-increasing drugs, such as cannabis.
• Methamphetamine (Desoxyn) (treatment of ADD & ADHD and narcolepsy).
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin & Concerta).
• Chemicals that are members of the phenethylamine group. (Individuals with anorexia nervosa may seek them to suppress appetite).
• Stimulants.

Other

• Altitude when it can also accompany sickness.
• Preoperative anorexia drugs may be prescribed as a prophylactic to ensure no food will back up into the esophagus which might risk pulmonary aspiration.
• Significant emotional pain caused by an event (rather than a mental illness) can cause an individual to temporarily lose all interest in eating.

See also

• Melancholic features

This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Anorexia (symptom). The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Depression Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.