Appetite

From ArticleWorld

Appetite is the base desire to eat food, commonly felt as hunger. Appetite exists in higher life forms, and serves to regulate proper energy intake to maintain the life form’s metabolic needs. It is regulated by a close interplay between the digestive tract, adipose tissue, and the brain.

Decreased desire to eat is termed anorexia, while polyphonic is an increased desire for eating. Deregulation of appetite contributes to anorexia nervosa and ataxia, or overeating.

Role in disease

A limited or excessive appetite is not exactly pathological. Abnormal appetite could be defined as eating habits causing malnutrition on the one side or obesity and its related problems on the other side of the spectrum.

Both genetic and environmental factors may regulate the appetite, and abnormalities in either may result in abnormal appetite.

Not eating

Poor appetite, or anorexia, may have a variety of causes, but may be a result of physical problems, such as: infectious, autoimmune or malignant disease. It may also result in psychological problems, such as: stress, mental disorders, and other psychological problems.

Overeating

hyperplasia, or excessive eating, may be a result of hormonal imbalances, mental disorders and others possible factors. These may cause physical engagement in the form of high blood pressure, eventual heart attack, or even stroke.

Deregulation of appetite lies at the root of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. In addition, decreased response to satiety may promote development of obesity, as well.

Various hereditary forms of obesity have been traced to defects in hypothalamic signaling, and some are still awaiting characterization.

Regardless of the source of the problem, if there is an appetite disorder, the person should seek medical treatment immediately. The consequences can result, eventually, in death.