One of the conditions Lemmon is attempting to explore is aging anorexia, an under-the-radar phenomenon that always has many health implications. These include massive muscle and bone breakdown that may result in weakness, falls, delayed recovery from illness or surgery, and premature death.
Not to be confused with anorexia nervosa (an eating disorder that causes people to fret about their weight and what they eat), anorexia nervosa is marked by a lack of appetite, even when loads of food is out there. Affecting a few quarter of older adults — and ladies more often than men — the condition is commonly ignored by physicians. Worse, it’s generally accepted as an inevitable a part of aging, in line with a study published in 2019. Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging.
“Your first impression is ‘little old lady,’ and I hate that phrase, because it means so much more than just that,” says Lemon. “But when people become more frail with weight loss, that’s what it looks like. They all look like a broken bone waiting to happen.”
But, she adds, “I don’t see it as inevitable. Is it normal? Yes. Is it a normal part of aging? No.”
Risk aspects
Before diagnosing anorexia nervosa, doctors first rule out other conditions that may very well be causing unintentional weight reduction, including cancer, thyroid problems, diabetes, or gastrointestinal disorders. “Our job is to clinically dig in and make sure nothing is wrong,” says Lemmon.
Additional aspects that will put someone at higher risk of unintentional weight reduction include:
- Changes in taste and smell
- Swallowing problems
- Slow digestion
- Medications that cause dry mouth
- Dental problems comparable to tooth decay or loose teeth
- Cognitive decline
- Loneliness or social isolation.
“There are lots of little things that can add up,” Lemmon says. “I worry when people say weight loss is no big deal, because it shouldn’t be dismissed. Anorexia in old age has serious consequences, and often has an underlying cause that we can fix, whether it’s medical or social.”
Treatment and prevention
Exercise is a cornerstone of geriatric anorexia treatment, as movement makes people hungry and thirsty. It also increases muscle mass and strength, reducing the chance of weakness. Additionally, physical activity reduces the chance of constipation – and keeping food moving through the digestive system can prevent feeling full too soon after eating.
Exercise should include each resistance and weight-bearing activities, which help construct muscle. If Lyman’s patients are sedentary, she advises them to start out with short walks — five minutes within the morning and one other five minutes within the afternoon, working as much as longer periods. “I tell them I don’t have a pill that can replace physical activity,” she says.
Dietary changes concentrate on increasing protein intake, which supports muscle growth and maintenance in addition to overall health. The US government’s Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 0.8 grams per kilogram (2.2 kilos) of body weight, but older adults should eat 1.0 to 1.2 grams of lean protein per kilogram of body weight. This signifies that a 120-pound adult should eat at the least 55 to 65 grams of protein per day. To treat — or prevent — early-stage anorexia, try eating protein-rich foods in any respect meals and snacks, including chicken, eggs, lean meats, tofu, and Greek yogurt. You may also add protein powder to smoothies and other meals for an additional boost, nevertheless it should not be your only source of protein. And snacking is inspired.
“Maybe someone is put off by the idea of eating three meals a day, so they need to graze all day,” she says. “Try to squirrel extra calories into your day where you can.”
Appetite-stimulating drugs are sometimes prescribed for geriatric anorexia, but unwanted effects (which may include delirium and gastrointestinal upset) could make them difficult to take care of, Lemmon notes. But with a holistic approach that features exercise, weight loss program, and maintaining social connections, people can often avoid or nip aging anorexia within the bud.
“If you can reverse your weight loss, you’ll feel stronger physically and emotionally,” she says. “People are happier when they are free.”
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