Elderly people who have a poor appetite are a problem that some families overlook. But do you know that if left untreated for a long time, it can have serious effects on the elderly? It is not difficult to notice a poor appetite in the elderly from their changing eating behavior. They do not eat much or eat less. Even their favorite foods that they used to like, they complain that they do not taste good, they do not want to eat them, their weight decreases, and their body becomes thin.
Elderly people have a loss of appetite. What is the cause?
Anorexia in the elderly is often caused by many factors, which can be divided into 3 main http://ufabet999.app factors as follows:
1. Physical problems
- Taste and smell change because the taste and smell of food will help us feel that the food is delicious. However, in the elderly aged 60 years and above, the ability to taste and smell changes because the taste and smell buds work less well, making the food feel tasteless and flavorless, causing the elderly to feel bored with their food.
- Poor dental and gum health Teeth and gums are another reason why older people lose their appetite due to pain in the teeth and gums, tooth loss, receding gums, and loose dentures, which make it difficult to chew food and eat less.
- The digestive system works more slowly. In the elderly, there is less digestive juice in the stomach. The contraction and relaxation of the stomach and intestines do not work normally. Digestion is not good, digestion is difficult, causing food to remain in the stomach and intestines, causing constipation.
- Caused by various diseases, such as stroke, paralysis. Elderly people with this disease often have difficulty eating, chewing, and swallowing, making eating difficult and difficult, to the point of not wanting to eat.
2. Mental problems
Another reason why the elderly lose their appetite is stress , depression , or feeling discouraged from not getting attention from family members and having to eat alone. These symptoms cause the elderly to lose their appetite and eat less.
3. Other problems
Side effects of medications Some medications can cause changes in taste and smell, such as medications for high blood pressure, heart disease, weather, and hot weather, which can make you feel uncomfortable and irritable, and make you not want to eat.