How to fix loss of appetite

Having a healthy appetite is an essential part of life – it increases our desire to eat and allows us to get the right amount of nutrients we need to stay healthy.

Table of Contents Show

What causes loss of appetite?
1. A viral or bacterial infection
2. A long-term health condition
4. Psychological factors
5. Medication
6. An underactive thyroid
7. Anorexia nervosa
8. Alcohol dependence
Are there other symptoms that can impact appetite loss?
1. Loss of taste
When should I speak to a doctor?

So, how does our appetite work? When we’re hungry, the body recognises our need for food and sends a signal – like a rumbling stomach – to the brain to eat. Hormones play a key role in regulating your body’s appetite. Ghrelin, the ‘hunger hormone’, stimulates your appetite, and leptin tells your brain when you’ve eaten enough.

‘Many factors can affect the regulation of these hormones and can interfere with our appetite drive,’ explains Dr Rhianna McClymont, Lead GP at Livi. Most of us experience loss of appetite at one point or another – whether it’s because of environmental factors, medication or psychological or physical conditions.

What causes loss of appetite?

In most cases, a decreased appetite is only short term, but if it’s longer lasting you may need treatment for an underlying problem. Here are some of the key causes:

1. A viral or bacterial infection

‘Viral and bacterial infections – including flu-like illnesses, tummy bugs and urine infections – are a common reason for appetite loss,’ says Dr McClymont.

‘When you’re unwell, the body releases chemicals called cytokines, which regulate appetite as part of an inflammatory and immune response that act on neurons in the brain. This suppresses our appetite drive, making us less keen to eat.’

2. A long-term health condition

Certain long-lasting medical conditions can affect our appetite in different ways. Some conditions that may cause a lack of appetite include:

Chronic pain

Migraines, fibromyalgia and arthritis can cause you to lose interest in food.

Diabetes

People with poorly controlled diabetes may lose their appetite due to a condition called gastroparesis, where food moves too slowly through the digestive tract due to damaged nerves.

Digestive conditions

‘Conditions that affect the gut, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), can affect our appetite through symptoms that make us less inclined to eat – including abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea and gut spasms,’ explains Dr McClymont.

3. Age

As we age, our appetite changes. It’s estimated that up to 30% of older people experience a reduction in appetite and eat less food, leading to weight loss and nutritional deficiencies. One study found that older people have higher levels of the hormone peptide YY, which makes them feel full.

You can also experience a reduced appetite as a result of illnesses like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease or other conditions, including dental and swallowing problems. Lack of exercise, feeling lonely or socially isolated or an inability to prepare meals can also cause a reduced appetite.

4. Psychological factors

Mental health conditions can have a significant impact on your appetite. People experiencing depression often lose interest in food, and our appetite tends to decrease when we’re feeling anxious or stressed or as a consequence of life events like a relationship break-up or the death of a loved one.

‘During stressful events, your brain releases the “fight-or-flight” hormone, adrenaline, which slows down your digestive system,’ says Dr McClymont. ‘Depression triggers the production of corticotropin-releasing hormone, which also curbs your appetite.’

5. Medication

Certain medicines can cause a decreased appetite as a side effect, including opioid painkillers, antidepressants, antibiotics, medication for type 2 diabetes.

Cancer treatments can also cause appetite loss, with around 60% of people diagnosed with cancer experience a loss of appetite. Treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy can cause taste changes and symptoms such as nausea, which is a common side-effect of chemotherapy, can aggravate this further.

‘If you feel one of your medications is causing a change to your appetite, it’s always best to raise this with a doctor. There may be a suitable alternative you can try,’ advises Dr McClymont.

6. An underactive thyroid

If you have an underactive thyroid, also known as hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland is not producing enough hormones. This causes many of the body’s functions to slow down, which can result in a loss of appetite. Other symptoms include weight gain, tiredness and depression.

If a doctor thinks you have an underactive thyroid, they can check the level of thyroid hormones in your body by doing a blood test.

7. Anorexia nervosa

‘Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder and serious mental health condition characterised by a desire to keep your body weight as low as possible by restricting food intake, over-exercising or both,’ says Dr McClymont. This condition can also lead to a reduction in appetite.

‘People who suffer from this often have a distorted and negative body image. It requires specialist medical treatment and can be life-threatening in severe cases.’

8. Alcohol dependence

Drinking too much alcohol has numerous physical signs, including having a sore or upset stomach, a yellow skin tone and feeling numbness and tingling in your feet and hands. It can also have a big impact on appetite – and you may lose all interest in food as your focus shifts to alcohol.

If you’re finding moderating alcohol difficult, speak to a doctor who can recommend further support.

Are there other symptoms that can impact appetite loss?

Although losing your appetite and skipping meals has many different causes, it may also be a direct result of other symptoms, including:

1. Loss of taste

Covid-19 affects our appetite in the same way as other viruses – but one of its main symptoms, the loss of smell or taste, can also affect our appetite. One study found that 87% of respondents who experienced a loss of smell or taste from Covid-19 experienced a reduced enjoyment of food.

2. Nausea

‘Pregnancy is a common cause of appetite loss, primarily due to nausea,’ explains Dr McClymont. ‘The term “morning sickness” can occur any time of day and is particularly common in the first trimester.

‘Hyperemesis gravidarum is an extreme form of pregnancy nausea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and weight loss. If this is affecting you, it’s important to discuss it with a doctor or midwife because it generally needs treatment with anti-sickness medications and may require hospital admission for fluid rehydration.’

3. Fatigue

If you’re experiencing fatigue as a result of another condition, it may make you feel less inclined to cook or eat food. ‘Loss of appetite and tiredness are symptoms of other conditions. Often, a loss of appetite will naturally lower your energy reserves, leading to tiredness,’ says Dr McClymont.

When should I speak to a doctor?

Appetite loss can have a broad range of causes, but it’s important to speak to a doctor if you notice any other symptoms alongside a loss of appetite, including:

Stomach pain
A change to your normal bowel pattern
Problems swallowing
Unintentional weight loss
New indigestion

‘If you experience appetite loss that’s persistent and doesn’t seem to be related to a simple explanation, such as a cold or flu virus, speak to a doctor,’ says Dr McClymont.

This article has been medically approved by Dr Rhianna McClymont, Lead GP at Livi

Medically Reviewed by Carol DerSarkissian, MD on December 20, 2020

Hunger is your body’s signal that it needs fuel. Your brain and gut work together to give you that feeling. So if you don’t feel like eating, a number of things could cause that dip in appetite, including certain medications, emotions, and health issues.

When you get stressed, your body reacts as if it’s in danger. Your brain releases chemicals, including adrenaline, that make your heart beat faster and slow your digestion. That can curb your appetite. This is called the fight-or-flight response, and it lasts only a short time. If you're stressed over a long period, your body releases a hormone called cortisol, and it makes you hungrier, especially for high-calorie foods.

Many medicines can have appetite loss as a side effect. Some of the most common ones include antibiotics, antifungals, and muscle relaxants. Drugs that treat depression, migraines, high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and Parkinson’s disease can also affect your hunger. If you haven't been eating, check with your doctor to see if any of the medications you take could be causing the problem.

When you’re sick, your immune system kicks into high gear. It releases chemicals called cytokines that can make you tired and not eager to eat. It’s your body’s way of telling you to rest so it can get the energy it needs to fight what’s making you ill. But eating a little something can give your immune system a boost. Try a bowl of chicken soup: Research shows that it helps with inflammation, and that can make you feel better.

You’re supposed to be eating for two but don’t feel like chowing down? That’s because many moms-to-be battle nausea, especially during the first trimester. Although it’s called morning sickness, it can strike any time of day. Easy-to-digest foods, like crackers or dry toast, can calm the queasiness. Also, try to eat small meals or snacks often -- an empty stomach can make things worse.

If you have nausea, diarrhea, and cramps, you may have a stomach bug, or gastroenteritis. That’s when a virus, bacteria, or parasite infects your stomach and intestines. Chances are, the last thing you feel like doing is eating. Once the nausea goes away, start with bland foods, like bananas, rice, or toast. And drink plenty of fluids to make sure you stay hydrated.

When eating leads to nausea, diarrhea, bloating, or stomach pain, your appetite can nosedive. This often happens with stomach disorders. One of the most common is irritable bowel syndrome, a chronic condition of your large intestine. Colitis and Crohn’s disease are more serious illnesses that trigger some of the same symptoms. If you’re having these kinds of problems, see your doctor.

This condition happens when your body doesn’t make enough healthy red blood cells. Their job is to carry oxygen throughout your body. If you don’t have enough of them, you may feel tired and weak, and have little appetite. If you have symptoms, which also include chest pain and headaches, your doctor can give you a blood test to see if you’re anemic. If you are, they may recommend iron or vitamin B12 supplements.

A lack of appetite is a common side effect of cancer. The disease and its treatments, like radiation and chemotherapy, might also cause nausea, pain, or dehydration. They can even change the way foods taste or smell. Talk to your doctor if you have a hard time eating enough at mealtime. You may need to have 6 to 8 smaller meals a day.

Up to 30% of older people have less of an appetite than they used to. It can happen for a number of reasons. As you age, your digestion slows, so you tend to feel fuller for longer. Your sense of smell, taste, or vision may also get weaker. This can make food less appealing. Hormonal changes, a chronic illness, and medications can also curb your hunger. Talk to your doctor -- they can help you figure out what’s going on.

If your diabetes isn’t managed well, high blood sugar levels can damage nerves in your body. One of them may be the vagus nerve, which controls your stomach muscles. When this nerve doesn’t work the way it should, food doesn’t move through your gastrointestinal tract as quickly. Called gastroparesis, this condition causes a loss of appetite and bloating. It’s treated with changes to your diet, medication, or surgery.

Your thyroid hormones control how your body turns food into energy. When that gland doesn’t make enough of those, your body functions slow down. The result: You use less energy and your hunger dips. But because you’re not burning as many calories, you may actually gain weight. Your doctor can test for the condition and, if that's the problem, give you thyroid hormone to speed things up again.

A pounding head alone can be enough to make you lose your appetite. But a migraine also can cause nausea and vomiting. And you may not feel like eating even after it goes away. A dip in hunger is common in the day or two after a migraine. Medications can help prevent them or treat them when you have them.

For some people, this can lead to cravings and weight gain. For others, it can have the opposite effect. Depression triggers your brain to release more of a hormone called corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). It can make you less hungry. With severe depression, you may lose interest in cooking and eating. If your change in appetite comes with a change in mood, talk with your doctor about it.

A mild form of traumatic brain injury, this can cause dizziness, headaches, and nausea. In some cases, you may lose some of your sense of smell. That can make food less appealing. If you think you have a concussion, see your doctor. They can find out for sure. If it's not serious, they may tell you things to do to help you feel better faster, like get plenty of rest.

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