Loss of appetite, also known as anorexia (an-o-rek-se-ah), is a common side effect of cancer and treatment.

Reasons you may lose your appetite:

• Depression
• Tumor growth
• Taste changes
• Difficulty swallowing
• Pain
• Feeling full

Anorexia is usually a temporary problem. If it persists, the associated weight loss will impact the quality of your life by increasing your fatigue, causing your muscles to waste, and further decreasing your appetite. It is this cycle of loss of appetite, wasting, and further loss of appetite that must be avoided.

Many people with lung cancer report a change in the way that foods taste and smell, a change which often contributes to their lack of appetite.

Common taste and smell changes include:

• A metallic or medicinal taste
• A sweet taste to everything
• A need to add salt or sugar to everything
• A new dislike for foods previously enjoyed
• Nausea resulting from the scent of foods being cooked, especially meats
• Hypersensitivity to the smell of foods, in general, leading to nausea

Helpful tips:

• Eat foods that are cold or at room temperature if you are sensitive to odors
• Try to eat foods you have never tried before
• Don't be concerned with calories and fat content
• Eat whatever tastes good to you. Eat it all day, everyday if you want to
• Eat a big breakfast. You may be more hungry in the morning than at others times of the day
• Let other people fix your meals. This will conserve your energy as well as keep you away from cooking odors
• Snack throughout the day. Don't worry too much about eating three meals. Eat small amounts often
• Eat calorie packed foods. Don't just have a glass of milk, have a milk shake made with super premium-high fat ice cream. Add protein powder to Jell-O and milkshakes.
• Don't drink beverages during your meals. Beverages contribute to feelings of fullness. Drink between your meals to keep yourself hydrated.
• You may want to have a glass of wine or beer shortly before your meal. Some times the alcohol can relax you and can increase your appetite.
• Try some light exercise, such as short walk, about an hour before you eat. This may help you to feel hungry.
• Use food supplement products such as Ensure, Isocal, and Sustacal. These products can help you get the nutrition you need when you really can't eat. Try making milkshakes with the product and ice cream.

Call your doctor if:

• You lose five pounds or more
• It is painful to eat
• You cannot eat for more than one day

The management tips we have discussed can be very helpful for most people who lose their appetites due to lung cancer. However, some people will not get their appetites back and will be unable to consume enough calories to maintain their bodies.

Cachexia

It is important to let your doctor know if you are having trouble eating. Anorexia can lead to physical wasting or cachexia (kah-kek-se-ah). Cachexia can also occur without a loss of appetite. As yet, researchers are not sure of the cause for cachexia. Weakness, muscle wasting, fatigue, loss of concentration and weight loss are all signs of this syndrome.

Factors that may contribute to cachexia include:

• Increased nutritional needs brought about by cancer or infection
• Decreased appetite due to treatment or cancer

Your doctor will be able to help you find a solution to prevent further loss of appetite and weight. There are medications that can help to increase your appetite. A number of medications are currently being studied, although many have limited use or unacceptable side effects. Megestral acetate, however, can produce weight gain, increase appetite and help you to feel generally better, without the toxicities associated with some of the other medications.

Anorexia and cachexia are reversible. If you begin to lose your appetite, try some of the tips mentioned in this article, pay attention to your body and call your doctor if your appetite doesn't return or you begin to lose weight.