Can Dementia Affect the Appetite of a Person Prabhy Sodhi

1. Can Dementia Affect the Appetite of a Person? Prabhy Sodhi

2. During dementia, a range of effects are seen. They can include changes in appetite as well. A person can either eat less or more than required. It is also possible that the person may not eat at all. Likewise, a dementia patient may not identify his/her thirst. Hence, he/she may drink fewer fluids. Prabhdyal Singh Sodhialso know as PrabhySodhi is a dementia specialist who opines that a reduced or poor appetite can generate various challenges. They can produce different challenges that can further affect the health of patients. Identifying the kinds of appetite problems is vital. It can aid in putting a stop to these and further challenges resulting from them. Afterward, through numerous measures, Mr. Sodhi adds that patients’ appetites can be restored. • Why is Appetite Affected during Dementia? • Dementia can result in multiple changes in the body. They can result in an altered appetite too.This can affect eating as well as drinking habits. • According to specialists like Mr. Sodhi, sometimes, the existing difficulties caused by the disorder can create challenges while drinking or eating. Memory loss is one such difficulty. Even due to this, a reduced appetite is observed. • How is a Dementia Patient’s Appetite Affected? • Issues relating to appetite can occur commonly among patients with dementia. Even then, the challenges they face with respect to this can vary. The brain disorder can affect their appetite in several ways, says the dementia specialist, Prabhdyal Singh Sodhi.

3. The disorder can make a person forget drinking or eating. • ● Poor dental conditions can pose challenges and affect the appetite. • ● Appetite gets altered when patients do not identify their thirst or hunger. • ● There can be difficulties relating to swallowing food and water. • ● In case a specific diet is followed, the patient may not be able to follow it. • ● They may not identify food and, hence, not eat it. • ● Preferences regarding food textures, colors, or even smells can change. • ● Tastes can change. When not satisfied, patients may not enjoy eating. • What is the Impact of Poor Appetite on Dementia Patients? • Weight loss and gain are the main effects of a poor appetite. They are triggered differently in patients, depending on several factors. In either case, dementia can worsen when the impact is not managed. Prior to its management, more should be understood about weight gain and loss. • 1. Weight Loss • Certain challenges can occur in relation to drinking and eating. These challenges can take place because of dementia. They can lead to malnutrition. Hence, a person can undergo weight loss. When the disorder develops, some associated challenges can trigger a poor appetite causing loss of weight, opines Mr. Sodhi. • They can include: • ● A depressed mental state • ● Dental issues • ● Infections • ● Constipation • ● Illnesses with physical effects

4. How to Reduce the Impact on Appetite in Dementia? • Patients can undergo challenges whether they eat or drink. Both can impact their appetite. To reduce the same, patients can be provided with help while drinking or eating. Mr. Sodhi observes that varying measures are available to provide the required assistance. Considering the challenge faced, a suitable measure can be selected. • 1. Reducing Eating Difficulties • A poor appetite can occur due to eating less or more. The dementia specialist, Mr. Sodhi advises that encouraging a patient to eat enough should be preferred by caregivers. Along with this, other measures can be opted for: • ● Dementia patients can be asked to choose the food they want to eat. • ● They can be encouraged to participate in cooking to increase their interest in food. • ● Snacks prior to meals can be given to understand whether or not they are hungry. • ● When preferences change, patients can be provided with varying food items. • ● As opposed to big meals, small ones can be preferred to build interest in eating. • ● Distractions during eating time should be eliminated. • 2. Help While Eating • When a dementia patient does not drink, even in that case, appetite is altered. Prabhdyal Singh Sodhi is of the view that a patient can be provided with help while drinking. This is essentially important, as the specialist says, to prevent further challenges such as dehydration as they can affect dementia patients’ conditions.

5. When to Approach a Dementia Specialist for Appetite Problems? • Since appetite is a key factor rendering a role in the health of patients, it is important to keep it right. Given that despite applying measures to improve it, help is required, caregivers should approach dementia experts. It is advisable to do so without observing delays. • Mr. Sodhi believes that dementia specialists can identify the exact cause triggering appetite problems. In sync with the same, they can suggest measures to stop those triggers and help patients eat/drink. Moreover, when those triggers indicate underlying bodily problems, specialists can describe the measures to resolve them as well. • Bringing up Rear • Disorders such as dementia can affect patients’ appetite. This can make it hard for them to drink or eat enough. There can be further repercussions of the same. Prabhdyal Singh Sodhi says that through certain measures, appetite-related challenges can be resolved. The dementia specialist opines that even professional help can be preferred for this purpose.