Anorexia

Anorexia (deriving from the Greek όρεξη (orexe) = appetite) is the decreased sensation of appetite. While the term in non-scientific publications is often used interchangably with one of its subtypes, anorexia nervosa, there are many possible causes for a decreased appetite, some of which may be harmless while others pose significant risk for the person.

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Common disorders that cause anorexia include anorexia nervosa, severe depression, cancer, dementia, AIDS, and chronic renal disease.

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Anorexia may also be seen in congestive heart failure, perhaps due to congestion of the liver with venous blood.

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Although the presenting symptom (the one which prompts a patient to seek medical attention) in acute appendicitis is abdominal pain, the presence of anorexia is requisite to making the diagnosis.

Greek: The noun Greek refers to:...

Appetite: The appetite is the desire to eat food, felt as hunger. Appetite exists in all higher lifeforms, and serves to regulate adequate energy intake to maintain metabolic needs. It is regulated by a close interplay between the digestive tract, adipose tissue and the brain. Decreased desire to eat is terme...

Anorexia nervosa: Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by voluntary starvation and exercise stress. Anorexia nervosa is a complex disease, involving psychological, sociological and physiological components. A person who is suffering from anorexia is referred to as 'anorexic' or (less commonly) 'anore...