What does appetite loss mean

Abdominal pain can be sharp, dull, or burning. It can also cause many additional effects, including loss of appetite. Severe pain can sometimes make…. Experts say stress from the pandemic plus social media and being homebound have led to increases in eating disorders among teens. Experts say food photos posted on social media can encourage poor eating habits as well as trigger eating disorders. Anorexia athletica is a type of disordered eating that can affect athletes. Therapy is a large part of treatment for eating disorders, but there are several different kinds that may work better based on the individual.

Learn how to recognize, treat, and cope with bigorexia, and how to remove the stigma around physical appearance that can lead to bigorexia.

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Mental Health. What Causes Loss of Appetite? Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Causes When to seek help Treatment Complications Overview A decreased appetite occurs when you have a reduced desire to eat. What causes a decreased appetite? When to seek emergency treatment. How is a decreased appetite treated?

Read this next. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Medically reviewed by Graham Rogers, M. What Is Anorexia Athletica? Medically reviewed by Marney A.

White, PhD, MS. Using drugs recreationally, such as cocaine, cannabis, and amphetamines can also cause a loss of appetite. These can include:. A loss of appetite can also be more common in older adults. This can be due to increased use of medications and changes in the body as it ages. These changes can affect:. A loss of appetite or unexpected weight loss can sometimes be a symptom of certain cancers, such as pancreatic, ovarian, or stomach cancer.

If people experience any of these symptoms, they should see a doctor who will be able to find out the underlying cause. A person should see a doctor if they are vomiting for more than a day and have a complete loss of appetite. People with serious medical conditions may experience a loss of appetite that can be due to the illness itself or as a side effect of treatments, such as chemotherapy treatment for cancers.

Cachexia is the term for weight loss, muscle wastage, and general ill-health caused by chronic, life-limiting illnesses. People with cachexia can get nutritional advice from their doctor who can help create a nutritional plan to make sure they get the necessary calories and nutrients.

A person with a serious illness should see their doctor if they have a complete loss of appetite for a day or more or any of the following:. A doctor may prescribe certain medications to help increase appetite and reduce other symptoms, for example, nausea. If depression or anxiety are causing people to experience a loss of appetite, talking therapies and sometimes antidepressants can help.

If a doctor thinks a specific medication is a reason for a loss of appetite, they may be able to change the dosage or the medication. Aim to make these meals high in calories and protein to make sure the body is getting plenty of nutrients and energy.

People may also find having liquid meals, such as smoothies and protein drinks, easier to take. Adding herbs, spices, or other flavorings to meals may also encourage people to eat more easily.

Eating meals in relaxing or social settings may make eating more enjoyable. People can also keep drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Gentle exercise, such as a short walk, may sometimes increase appetite as well. A doctor will look at all the symptoms a person is experiencing, and use these to work out the possible cause of their loss of appetite.

This can help them find out if a gastrointestinal disorder is causing a loss of appetite. It is important to find out the reason for a loss of appetite, as it can lead to complications without treatment.

A continued loss of appetite can cause weight loss and malnutrition. It is vital for people to find out the reason for their loss of appetite, as leaving it untreated can be serious. Liu N, Abell T. Gastroparesis updates on pathogenesis and management. Gut Liver. Sanyal D, Raychaudhuri M. Hypothyroidism and obesity: An intriguing link. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. The usefulness of appetite and energy intake-based algorithms to assess treatment effect of a bacterial infection: An observational prospective study.

Leptin functions in infectious diseases. Front Immunol. Irritable bowel syndrome and diet. Gastroenterol Rep. Clin Nutr. Appetite and weight loss symptoms in late-life depression predict dementia outcomes. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry.

Neurohormonal regulation of appetite and its relationship with stress: A mini literature review. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellMind. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification.

I Accept Show Purposes. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns?