Reduced or absent appetite
A reduced appetite means that you have less need to eat than usual. Sometimes the appetite is only slightly decreased, while with complete loss of appetite there is virtually no need for food anymore. This may occur temporarily, for example during an infection or recovery period, but may also last longer.
Decreased appetite may be associated with symptoms such as bloating, nausea, tiredness or rapidly full. Long-term low eating can eventually lead to weight loss and nutrient shortages. Therefore, it is important to look at the cause in case of persistent or unexplained loss of appetite.
Within Chinese medicine, attention is focused on the functioning of the digestive system and other factors that can disturb appetite. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are then tailored to the underlying TCM pattern.
Western disorders and possible causes
A reduced appetite is a symptom and can have many different causes. During an acute infection, for example, the appetite is temporarily less normal. Even during recovery after a severe illness, surgery or other physical stress may reduce appetite.
Other possible causes include:
- upset stomach and bowel, such as nausea, reflux or bloating;
- infections and other physical conditions;
- side effects of medicines;
- long-term stress, tension or gloom;
- changes in taste or smell;
- pregnancy;
- chronic illness or recovery after illness.
It is important to distinguish loss of appetite from being quickly saturated. At first there is appetite, but someone is already full after a small amount of food. Also food aversion, in which certain foods do not cause nausea or nausea, is something else.
A lack of appetite is also not the same as anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa has an eating disorder and not simply a feeling of physically reduced hunger.
In case of unexplained or prolonged loss of appetite, clear weight loss or other notable symptoms medical examination is important.
Possible causes
The appetite can be affected by both physical and mental factors. An acute illness can temporarily reduce the need for food. Usually, appetite recovers by itself when someone gets better.
In case of long-term complaints, problems with the stomach and intestines can play a role. Bloated or heavy feeling, nausea, reflux or fast filling can make food less attractive.
Long-term stress and emotional tension can also affect appetite. In some people, appetite increases during stress while others are barely hungry. If someone does not eat enough for a long time, this may further weaken digestion and general condition.
How can acupuncture help with reduced appetite?
Within Chinese medicine, Stomach and Spleen are seen as important parts of the digestive system. When their function is weakened or disturbed, appetite can decrease. However, tension, accumulation of fluid or mucus and recovery after a disease may also interfere with normal digestive function.
Treatment is therefore directed not only at stimulating appetite, but above all at reducing the cause.
Depending on the pattern, acupuncture can be aimed at:
- Supporting the digestive function of Spleen and Stomach
- Improve the movement of Qi in the abdomen when feeling full or bloated
- Dampness and Phlegm reduce when these interfere with digestion
- Provider-Qi regulation when stress or tension clearly affects appetite
- Stomach-Yin feeding in dryness and prolonged stomach discomfort
- Support digestive recovery after illness
How can Chinese herbal medicine help with reduced appetite?
Chinese herbs, like acupuncture, are chosen on the basis of the underlying pattern. Only trying to stimulate appetite is not always enough from TCM. It is considered why the normal need for food has been reduced.
For example, in a weak digestion the treatment can be aimed at strengthening Spleen and Stomach. In case of heavy and bloated feeling, reducing Dampness or Phlegm can be more important. When stress clearly affects appetite, regulating the Qi can be central.
Depending on the pattern herbal medicine may be aimed at:
- Enhance Spleen and Stomach
- Supporting digestion and appetite
- Reduce Dampness and Phlegm
- Regulating persistent Qi in case of stress-related complaints
- Reduce heat if it is left behind after illness
- Stomach-Yin feeding in the event of prolonged dryness and irritation
Herbs can be used daily between acupuncture treatments and adjusted when the grievance image changes.
How does Chinese medicine view reduced appetite?
Within traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the Spleen and Stomach are especially important for healthy appetite and digestion.
The Stomach receives the food and starts processing it. The Spleen stands within TCM for a broader functional system involved in converting nutrition into energy and nutrients. A good appetite is therefore seen as a sign that these digestive functions work well together.
When the Spleen is weakened, appetite may decrease and symptoms such as fatigue, bloating and loose stools can occur. Dampness and Phlegm can also hinder normal digestion and cause a heavy or full feeling.
In addition, the Liver plays a role. Within TCM, Liver-Qi helps with smooth movement and regulation in the body. Long-term frustration, tension and stress can disturb this movement. This can also affect the function of Spleen and Stomach and can alter appetite with emotional state.
In case of prolonged stomach problems, a shortage of Stomach-Yin can occur. Yin stands for the nourishing and moistening aspects of the Stomach.
More information about Qi, Yin, Dampness, Phlegm and the different organ systems can be found at TCM basics .
A recognizable combination of symptoms and symptoms is called a TCM pattern within TCM. Below, only the most common patterns are discussed. Other patterns are possible and multiple patterns can occur at the same time. This allows you to recognize yourself in multiple descriptions. Not everyone with the same pattern has all the mentioned symptoms. The pattern is determined based on the overall picture of complaints.
A TCM organ system includes more than just the body organ with the same name. It describes a set of functions and interrelationships. For example, the TCM-Spleen has an important function in the processing of food and liquids.
A TCM pattern is a recognizable combination of complaints and physical characteristics that indicates the primary disturbance according to Chinese medicine. The treatment is adapted accordingly.
Most common TCM patterns
Spleen-Qi- or Spleen-Yang-deficiency
According to TCM, a weakening of Spleen-Qi is one of the most common causes of loss of appetite. The digestive system does not have enough power to process nutrition properly. In case of stronger weakening, also Spleen-Yang may fail, with clear signs of Cold emerging.
Common symptoms: low or no appetite, fatigue, bloating, loose stools or diarrhoea and sometimes mild fluid build-up. Spleen-Yang deficiency can also prevent crookedness, cold hands and feet, undigested food residues in stool and abdominal pain that improves due to heat.
Examples of Western disorders: functional digestive symptoms, decreased appetite during long-term recovery and some forms of chronic diarrhoea.
Left behind Dampness of Heat after disease
After an infection or other acute illness, appetite can sometimes be reduced longer, even if someone feels further recovered. Within TCM this can be explained by the fact that part of the disturbance after the disease has remained and continues to interfere with the normal functioning of Spleen and Stomach.
Common symptoms: decreased appetite after a recent illness, feeling heavy in the body, tiredness, feeling heavy or foggy in the head and sometimes nausea or bloating. Depending on the pattern, residual symptoms such as varying warm and cold may also occur.
Examples of Western disorders: decreased appetite during recovery after gastrointestinal infection, respiratory infection or other acute disease.
Phlegm-Dampness
According to TCM, Phlegm-Dampness has created an accumulation that prevents normal movement and processing in the digestive system. As a result, one can hardly be hungry while the stomach feels heavy or full at the same time.
Common symptoms: decreased appetite, a clearly full or bloated feeling in the stomach and abdomen, reduced taste, tiredness, sleepiness, a heavy feeling in the body and a misty or hard to concentrate sensation in the head. Sometimes there is also an oppressive sensation on the chest.
Examples of Western disorders: functional dyspepsia and chronic digestive symptoms with a full or heavy feeling at the forefront.
Liver Qi stagnation
In this pattern there is a clear relationship between appetite and emotional state. Stress, frustration or prolonged tension disturbs the free movement of Liver-Qi according to TCM. This can then hinder the normal functioning of Spleen and Stomach.
Common symptoms: varying or decreased appetite during periods of stress, tense or bloating in the stomach and abdomen, sighs, peasants, indigestion and sometimes reflux. The bowel movement can be slow or vary between constipation and diarrhoea. Irritability or gloom may also occur.
Examples of Western disorders: stress-related decreased appetite, functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome.
Stomach-Yin-deficiency
In case of prolonged stomach upset, TCM says that the nourishing and moistening function of Stomach may weaken. The appetite is reduced, but the symptoms are different from a weak and cold digestion.
Common symptoms: prolonged poor appetite, vaguely uncomfortable or slightly burning sensation in the upper abdomen, dry mouth or throat, thirst, dry stools or constipation and sometimes mild nausea or heartburn. Weight loss may occur.
Examples of Western disorders: chronic gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) and gastric ulcer symptoms.
What can you do for yourself?
When you have low appetite, several small meals can sometimes be easier than some large meals. Especially choose food that is well tolerated and provides sufficient nutrients. During recovery after illness, easily digestible, nutritious meals can be more enjoyable for digestion.
Try to eat regularly without forcing yourself to take large amounts. When tension clearly affects your appetite, relaxation, movement and sufficient rest can also be important.
In case of prolonged low eating or unintentional weight loss, it is wise not only to look at stimulating appetite, but also at the underlying cause and whether you are getting enough energy and nutrients.
Outlook
How quickly the appetite recovers strongly depends on the cause. If a temporary reduction is made during or shortly after an acute illness, the appetite can return automatically when the body recovers. When the symptoms are associated with long-term digestive problems, a marked weakening or chronic stress may take more time.
In the initial phase, for example, treatment can be done once a week. For more severe symptoms, a higher frequency may temporarily be appropriate. If appetite and additional symptoms improve, the frequency of treatment can be reduced. These are guidelines; the treatment plan is always adapted to the individual situation.
Contact
Do you have little or no appetite for a long time and want to know whether acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine can mean anything to your symptoms? Please feel free to contact us. During the intake we will discuss your appetite, digestion, general health and any other complaints to assess which treatment suits your situation.