Loss of Appetite

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KEY POINTS

• Appetite is a natural desire or need for food. A good appetite is most often a sign of health and well-being.
• Loss of appetite may be caused by disease, depression, problems with teeth, or even medicines. Any unexplained loss of appetite that lasts longer than a week could be a sign of a more serious problem.
• Treatment depends on the cause. Ask your healthcare provider for help if you don’t have enough of an appetite to eat a healthy diet.

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What is appetite?

Appetite is a natural desire or need for food. A good appetite is most often a sign of health and well-being. Appetite is a combination of:

• Hunger
• Habit
• Being able to enjoy the taste, sight, and smell of food
• Looking forward to sharing the pleasure of a meal with others

A loss of appetite can cause health problems if you stop eating a healthy diet. Loss or lack of appetite is called anorexia.

What causes a loss of appetite?

Many things can cause a loss of appetite. You may lose your appetite because of:

• Some medicines
• Depression or grief
• Problems with teeth or dentures that make it painful or hard to chew
• Long-term illnesses such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart, kidney, or liver disease
• A reduced sense of taste or smell
• Pregnancy during the first trimester

Any unexplained loss of appetite that lasts longer than a week could be a sign of a more serious problem.

What are the symptoms?

Besides not feeling like eating, symptoms may include:

• Weight loss
• Feeling tired
• Lack of interest in the things you normally enjoy
• Changes in your skin, hair, or nails
• Constipation

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history and examine you. You may have tests or scans to help diagnose a medical condition that may be causing your symptoms.

How is it treated?

Treatment depends on the cause. For example:

• If a medicine seems to be affecting your appetite, your healthcare provider can work with you to find a different medicine or dosage that will treat your medical problem without affecting your appetite.
• If you have lost your appetite because of depression, treating the depression should help your appetite improve.
• If you have problems with your teeth, your provider may recommend seeing your dentist.
• If tests show that you have a vitamin or hormone problem, your provider may recommend a change in your diet, supplements, or treatment for the hormone problem.
• If pain is making it hard for you to eat, your provider may prescribe medicine, physical exercise, or relaxation techniques to help you control the pain.
• When your loss of appetite is due to a disease such as cancer or its treatment, you may want to ask your provider for a referral to a dietitian. A dietitian can help you find foods that you can eat even if your appetite is poor.

How can I take care of myself?

• Think about why you may have less appetite than you used to. Sometimes loneliness affects appetite. It might help to arrange to eat a meal with other people. For example, share meals with friends or eat at your local senior center.
• Keep foods in your kitchen that don't take much time to prepare and can be eaten right out of the refrigerator or easily heated in the microwave.
• Avoid cooking strong-smelling foods, like fish or cauliflower, if that seems to affect your appetite.
• Eat when you are hungry, which may mean several small meals through the day, rather than 2 or 3 large ones. If you are underweight, you may also need snacks between meals to gain weight.
• Family members may be able to help supply favorite foods to help stimulate your appetite.
• Make sure every bite counts.
  • Eat high-protein foods, such as cheese, eggs, fish, meat, and milk.
  • Include fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet so that you get enough fiber, vitamins, and minerals to keep you healthy.
• Ask your healthcare provider or dietitian if high-calorie nutrition drinks would be helpful, such as for example, Carnation Instant Breakfast, Ensure, Resource, or Boost. If you have trouble digesting milk and milk products, ask your provider or dietitian which nutrition drinks would be right for you.
• Keep a record of what you eat and drink for 24 hours. This is called a diet history.
• Get regular exercise according to your healthcare provider’s recommendations. Exercise can improve a poor appetite.
• Weigh yourself every 1 to 2 weeks and write down your weight. Contact your healthcare provider if you have lost weight in the last month without trying to diet.