Poor appetite due to stomach discomfort
Oct 11, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Xuemei
Introduction
Poor appetite and lack of desire to eat may be caused by unhealthy eating habits, chronic gastritis, reflux esophagitis, chronic hepatitis, cholecystitis, or other conditions. Treatment options include appropriate abdominal massage or, under medical guidance, medications such as bismuth potassium citrate granules, rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated tablets, silybin capsules, cefoperazone sodium and sulbactam sodium for injection, or procedures such as cholecystectomy.
Poor appetite and unwillingness to eat may be caused by unhealthy eating habits, chronic gastritis, reflux esophagitis, chronic hepatitis, cholecystitis, or other conditions. Appropriate management strategies can be selected based on the specific underlying cause.
1. Unhealthy Eating Habits
This may result from overeating, or consuming large amounts of spicy, stimulating, or greasy foods, which increase the digestive burden on the gastrointestinal tract and lead to impaired digestion and absorption, resulting in poor appetite and reluctance to eat. It is recommended to maintain a light diet, perform gentle abdominal massage, and engage in physical activities such as running or playing sports to promote gastrointestinal motility.
2. Chronic Gastritis
Damage to the gastric mucosa or gastric inflammation may reduce gastric digestive enzyme levels, slow gastric motility, and lead to the aforementioned symptoms, possibly accompanied by bloating. Treatment may include medications such as potassium citrate bismuth granules, domperidone tablets, or omeprazole enteric-coated capsules, taken under medical supervision.
3. Reflux Esophagitis
Inflammation-induced irritation can cause varying degrees of damage to the esophageal mucosa, leading to symptoms such as acid reflux and heartburn. Eating may stimulate gastric acid secretion, worsening discomfort and reducing appetite, potentially accompanied by chest pain. Treatment options include ranitidine hydrochloride capsules, rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated tablets, or omeprazole enteric-coated tablets.
4. Chronic Hepatitis
Impaired liver function may reduce bile production, affecting digestion and causing the symptoms described, possibly accompanied by jaundice. Medications such as diammonium glycyrrhizinate enteric-coated capsules, silybin capsules, or polyene phosphatidylcholine capsules may be prescribed by a physician for treatment.
5. Cholecystitis
Inflammation of the gallbladder may obstruct bile flow, impair fat digestion and absorption, and lead to decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms. Under medical guidance, antibiotics such as cefotaxime sodium for injection, cefoperazone sodium and sulbactam sodium for injection, or ceftazidime for injection may be used to eliminate pathogens and reduce infection. In some cases, surgical interventions such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy or open cholecystectomy may be recommended by a physician.
If symptoms persist without improvement, prompt medical evaluation is advised. Follow medical instructions for treatment and maintain healthy eating habits to minimize gastrointestinal discomfort.
