3. Appetite Loss: The Food Aversion
For food lovers, the loss of appetite is the equivalent of a musician losing interest in music; it’s both alarming and disheartening. Appetite loss is often an overlooked but telling symptom of an underlying esophageal ulcer.
The loss of appetite is a curious phenomenon. From a biological perspective, appetite is regulated by a complex interplay of hormones, notably ghrelin, which is often termed the “hunger hormone.” When an esophageal ulcer begins to interfere with this biochemical orchestra, the desire to eat can decline significantly.
It’s interesting to note how societal norms around appetite have evolved. In some cultures, a hearty appetite is a sign of good health, while in others, restrained eating is prized. When an esophageal ulcer wreaks havoc on this everyday experience, it can elicit concern or even judgment from others.
For fans of historical trivia, it’s worth noting that even the Stoic philosophers had thoughts on appetite. Seneca, a leading Stoic thinker, recommended eating to live, not living to eat. However, an esophageal ulcer-driven loss of appetite can take this philosophy to an uncomfortable extreme. (3)
