Is summer anorexia normal?
Oct 14, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhao Haiming
Introduction
When temperatures rise in summer, body temperature also increases, which may reduce enzyme activity and lead to loss of appetite. At the same time, reduced physical activity during summer can gradually impair digestive function, also contributing to anorexia; this is generally considered a normal physiological phenomenon. However, if symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or bloating occur simultaneously, it is abnormal and could be caused by acute gastroenteritis.
Loss of appetite during summer may be relatively common, but it becomes abnormal if caused by specific contributing factors.
1. Normal
Under normal circumstances, a digestive enzyme in the human body can significantly enhance appetite. However, during summer, increased ambient temperatures lead to higher body temperature, which reduces the activity of this enzyme, resulting in decreased appetite and厌食 (loss of appetite). Additionally, reduced physical activity in summer can impair normal digestion, gradually weakening digestive function and leading to loss of appetite. This is generally considered a normal physiological phenomenon and can be improved by consuming appetizing foods.
2. Abnormal
If a person experiences loss of appetite accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or bloating, this is considered abnormal. It may result from excessive consumption of cold foods and beverages or raw salads during summer, which can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, or from unhygienic eating habits leading to acute gastroenteritis. In such cases, dietary adjustments and medical treatment under a doctor's guidance are necessary, including the use of anti-infective medications such as ofloxacin capsules or cefaclor capsules.
