Depression And Appetite Loss

By Author: Robert Jack
Total Articles: 4
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Diseases and aliments can often suppress your appetite. Studies have also revealed that not just physical problems, but even mental fatigue can lead to loss of appetite. Therefore, depression can also lead to loss of appetite. Let’s discuss how mental health is related to physical health and how the digestive system reacts to a depressed mind.

Depression and Loss of Appetite:

Persistent appetite loss can prove harmful for the health. Loss of appetite can occur due to gastrointestinal disorders, stomach disorders, intestinal blockage, viral/bacterial infections, development of tumors or ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract, and chronic ailments like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. In addition to this, factors such as stress and anxiety can also cause appetite loss. The death of a loved one, distance from one’s family and friends, anxiety prior to examinations or the diagnosis of serious diseases like cancer can also suppress appetite. All of these examples help reveal the mind and body relationship.

Too much stress and emotional imbalance results in depression. Nutritional deficiencies, infertility, ...
... lack of sleep, premenstrual syndrome, disabilities and chronic ailments etc., can also result in depression. Similar to the adrenal glands, pituitary, thyroid, hypothalamus, ovaries etc., the endocrine glands in the body release various hormones that play a vital role in the physical and mental health of an individual. There are different chemical reactions that take place in the body during metabolism. Chemicals such as dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine, which act like hormones as well as neurotransmitters, decide the 'flight or fight' response of our body, along with hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.

Hormones as well as neurotransmitters act on a large area of the brain. We feel hungry when certain hormones and digestive enzymes are produced by the body. The release of hormones and enzymes within the body is managed by the brain. The hypothalamus controls the bodily functions associated with appetite. Hormones like ghrelin and leptin play an important role in regulating appetite. The hypothalamus suppresses appetite when there are high levels of leptin, and triggers appetite when there are high levels of ghrelin in the blood.

Stress causes impaired brain function, which results in poor sleep and a feeling of despair, thus causing depression. Stress and depression slow down the functioning of the endocrine system which leads to several physical as well as mental problems. Therefore, one experiences depression as well as appetite loss when the required digestive enzymes and hormones are not secreted in the right proportions by the body.

Due to a lack of hormones, which are not released during depression, the body does not prepare itself for the intake of food. Since essential hormones are absent, the appearance or aroma of food is unable trigger appetite or release saliva in the mouth. Stress and depression lead to excessive secretion of acids within the stomach, transmitting signals of fullness to the brain.

It is important to fight depression for the proper functioning of the body. Medications like Seroquel have proven very effective in dealing with depression. Seroquel is an antipsychotic drug primarily used for treating major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress, insomnia and anxiety-related disorders.

Patients can buy seroquel online from discount online pharmacy. But, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional before deciding to buy Seroquel for treating depression.