Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
How Can Appetite Loss Be Treated?
Hi my Grandpa is nearly 90 was just in the hospital for falling and was realease to home. Has congestive heart failure 30%. He is not having any appetite and my mother who works at a retirement home says there is a powder type form of medicine the patients get to help stimulate hunger to eat. Just wondering if you know what this is. Best Regards, Oz
Thu, 18 May 2017
Hi, thanks for asking at Healthcare Magic
I have read your query and understand your concern, and I will try to give you some explanation.
Essentially, appetite is an internal regulatory system that aims to sufficient energy and nutritional needs in the body. This condition is regulated by the brain (hypothalamus) through intermediates of various hormones, including leptin and ghrelin.
Decrease in appetite can be caused by many things, such as:
1. Psychological conditions (sadness, depression, anxiety)
2. Chronic disease like:
- Gastrointestinal disorders (dyspepsia, intestinal obstruction, inflammation)
- Endocrine disorders (diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism)
- Disorders of Heart, kidney, liver, etc.
If left unchecked, this condition can cause weight loss and make your grandfather feel weak and tired easily in doing his daily activities.
To be sure, you should check your grandfather to the doctor directly. In the elderly it is often a sudden decrease of appetite without a clear cause. Therefore, your doctor may perform several checks such as laboratory, x-rays, ultrasound, etc. to assess the possible cause and appropriate treatment for your grandfather's complaints.
As a first step, to help increase his appetite, you can do some of the following tips:
1. Give your grandfather time for adequate rest
2. Ask him to talk, about what he was thinking, he was worried about
3. Take your grandfather to exercise lightly as much as 2-3 times a week (eg walking, yoga, static bikes)
4. Drink plenty of water
5. Make sure he consume balanced nutritious foods. Make him eating regularly, in small portions but often 3 times a day, interspersed with snacks between 2 meals.
6. Let your grandfather choose his favorite food.
7. Invite the grandfather to eat together to give him more happy mood.
8. If necessary, you can provide appetite enhancement supplements such as curcuma, lysine mineral or fish oil. However, for the dosage and how to use this supplement in the elderly, should be consulted first to his treating doctor.
Hope this explanation help.
Take care.
I have read your query and understand your concern, and I will try to give you some explanation.
Essentially, appetite is an internal regulatory system that aims to sufficient energy and nutritional needs in the body. This condition is regulated by the brain (hypothalamus) through intermediates of various hormones, including leptin and ghrelin.
Decrease in appetite can be caused by many things, such as:
1. Psychological conditions (sadness, depression, anxiety)
2. Chronic disease like:
- Gastrointestinal disorders (dyspepsia, intestinal obstruction, inflammation)
- Endocrine disorders (diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism)
- Disorders of Heart, kidney, liver, etc.
If left unchecked, this condition can cause weight loss and make your grandfather feel weak and tired easily in doing his daily activities.
To be sure, you should check your grandfather to the doctor directly. In the elderly it is often a sudden decrease of appetite without a clear cause. Therefore, your doctor may perform several checks such as laboratory, x-rays, ultrasound, etc. to assess the possible cause and appropriate treatment for your grandfather's complaints.
As a first step, to help increase his appetite, you can do some of the following tips:
1. Give your grandfather time for adequate rest
2. Ask him to talk, about what he was thinking, he was worried about
3. Take your grandfather to exercise lightly as much as 2-3 times a week (eg walking, yoga, static bikes)
4. Drink plenty of water
5. Make sure he consume balanced nutritious foods. Make him eating regularly, in small portions but often 3 times a day, interspersed with snacks between 2 meals.
6. Let your grandfather choose his favorite food.
7. Invite the grandfather to eat together to give him more happy mood.
8. If necessary, you can provide appetite enhancement supplements such as curcuma, lysine mineral or fish oil. However, for the dosage and how to use this supplement in the elderly, should be consulted first to his treating doctor.
Hope this explanation help.
Take care.
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Loading Online Doctors....