Appetite - decreased

Considerations:
Any illness can adversely affect a previously hearty appetite. If the disease is curable, the appetite will return when the disease is cured.

Loss of appetite can cause unintentional weight loss .

Common Causes:
  • emotional upset, nervousness, loneliness, boredom, tension , anxiety , loss of a job, death in the family, problems in school, and depression
  • anorexia nervosa
  • loss of appetite at mealtime from continual "snacking" at other times
  • fatigue
  • influenza
  • acute infection
  • drugs
    • amphetamines
    • chemotherapeutic agents
    • sympathomimetics including ephedrine
    • antibiotics
    • cough and cold preparations
    • codeine
    • morphine
    • Demerol
    • digitalis

Note: There may be other causes of loss of appetite. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for loss of appetite, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.

Home Care:
Protein and caloric intake are encouraged by eating high-calorie snacks or several small meals during the day. Family members should try to supply favorite foods to help stimulate the person's appetite. A 24-hour diet history should be recorded each day.

If an anorexic person consistently exaggerates food intake (a common occurrence in anorexia nervosa ), strict calorie and nutrient counts should be maintained by someone else.

For loss of appetite caused by taking medications, talk to your health care provider about adjusting the dosage or changing drugs. NEVER CHANGE MEDICATIONS WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.

See also weight management .

Call Your Healthcare Provider If:

Note: To calculate percent weight lost:
Divide pounds lost by the previous weight and multiple times 100.

For example, 10 pounds lost from a person that previously weighed 125 pounds is calculated:

  • 10 / 125 * 100 = 8%



What to Expect:
The diet and medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting loss of appetite in detail may include:

  • quality
    • Is it severe, or mild?

  • time pattern
    • Is loss a appetite a new symptom?
    • Has it been long standing ( chronic )?

  • other
    • What other symptoms are also present?

The physical examination will probably include special attention given to signs of malnutrition . Body weight will be measured.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

Intervention:
In severe malnutrition, supplemental intravenous nutritional support may be ordered.

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to loss of appetite to your personal medical record.