Decreased Appetite

Decreased appetite is when you don’t feel hungry or lose the desire to eat, and it can happen suddenly or develop gradually over time. This common symptom can stem from physical changes, emotional factors, underlying health conditions, or medication side effects.

Table of contents

• What is decreased appetite?
• Medical terminology
• Signs and symptoms
• Causes of decreased appetite
• How is it diagnosed?
• Treatment options
• When to seek medical help
• Special situations

What is decreased appetite?

A decreased appetite occurs when you don’t feel hungry or have the desire to eat food. When this happens, you may feel full even without eating much, not enjoy the taste, sight or smell of food, or simply have no interest in having meals with others^[1].

There are several possible causes for decreased appetite. It can happen suddenly or gradually over a long period of time. A decreased appetite is usually a sign of concern if it lasts for longer than a week^[1].

Decreased appetite is a complex experience that involves the brain, digestive system (the organs that break down and process food), hormones and sensory nerves. When these systems change, they can naturally affect your hunger^[4].

Medical terminology

anorexia, loss of appetite

The medical term for decreased appetite is anorexia. This term describes the loss of appetite or the reduced desire to eat. It’s important to understand that anorexia is different from the eating disorder called anorexia nervosa^[1].

When you have decreased appetite (anorexia), you don’t feel the need to eat food because you’re not experiencing the feeling of hunger. A person diagnosed with anorexia nervosa may feel hungry but intentionally restricts food intake to lose weight^[1][2].

Signs and symptoms

Signs that you have a decreased appetite could include having little to no interest in food, not eating your favorite foods, missing meals, and changes to your weight^[1][3].

A decreased appetite can come with additional symptoms like:

• Fatigue or low energy
• Nausea or vomiting
• Muscle weakness
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Changes to your skin, hair or nails

Losing your appetite and your enjoyment of food can reduce your quality of life. Severe loss of appetite can lead to losing weight and to your body not getting the nutrients it needs to work well, a condition called malnutrition^[13].

Causes of decreased appetite

There are several possible causes of decreased appetite. The most common causes are physical changes to your body, emotional changes to your mental health, an underlying health condition, and side effects of medication^[1].

Physical causes

Changes to your body can affect your ability to feel hunger and could cause decreased appetite. These causes could include pain, dehydration, dental problems or tooth pain, an injury, a loss or reduction of taste or smell, and recovering from surgery^[1][3].

Emotional and psychological causes

Your emotions play a role in your appetite and your ability to desire food. Emotional causes of decreased appetite could include anxiety, an eating disorder, emotional reactions like grief, fear, sadness or shock, depression, and stress^[1][3].

Underlying health conditions

An underlying condition could change your appetite. Some of the common conditions that cause decreased appetite include but aren’t limited to^[1][7]:

• A common cold
• An infection
• Cancer
• Dementia
• Diabetes
• Food poisoning
• Heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease or liver disease
• HIV and AIDS
• Hypothyroidism
• Respiratory infections
• Gastroenteritis
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Bacterial and viral infections at any location may cause short-term loss of appetite. Your immune system uses more nutrients to fight off infection but doesn’t seek more nutrients to replenish this loss. This causes metabolic changes that may lead to symptoms like loss of appetite and nausea^[2].

Medications that cause decreased appetite

A decreased appetite could be the result of medications or supplements you take to treat an underlying health condition. Common medications that have a side effect of decreased appetite include but aren’t limited to^[1][7]:

• Antibiotics
• Amphetamines
• Chemotherapy
• Digoxin
• Fluoxetine
• Hydralazine
• Opioids
• Antidepressants
• Stimulant medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Immunotherapy
• Radiation therapy to the stomach area

How is it diagnosed?

Your doctor will try to find the cause of your decreased appetite. You may be asked about the foods that you eat, and your doctor may do a physical exam^[13].

Your healthcare provider may run some diagnostic blood tests, lab tests and imaging tests to learn more about the causes of your symptoms to help treat them^[1][3].

Treatment options

The treatment for decreased appetite depends on what’s causing it. Treatment could include^[1][3]:

• Eating small meals regularly throughout the day
• Managing any illnesses, infections or underlying conditions
• Taking medications to stimulate your appetite like low-dose corticosteroids, cyproheptadine, megestrol and dronabinol
• Receiving IV nutrients which are liquid vitamins and minerals that you receive through a needle into your vein
• Talking with a mental health specialist about your eating habits if they’re irregular
• Changing the dosage or type of medication you take if appetite loss is caused by a medication
• Consulting a psychologist to uncover psychological and behavioral causes
• Talking with a dietician to establish healthy eating habits

Home remedies and tips

There are several home remedies you can try to help cope with decreased appetite^[3][13]:

• Eat small meals throughout the day even when you do not feel hungry
• Choose liquid meals such as broth, soup, or juice instead of solid foods when ill
• Avoid spicy or fried and fatty foods which can upset your stomach
• Consume foods high in vitamins, minerals, and protein to replenish essential nutrients
• Have a meal with friends or loved ones so eating becomes more enjoyable
• Eat your favourite foods when you feel well
• Make a smoothie to drink – changing the form of a food can make it more appetizing
• Keep snacks handy for when you feel like eating
• Drink a liquid meal replacement
• Do not drink a lot of liquid with meals, as liquid fills you up
• Eat food cold or at room temperature to reduce strong tastes and smells
• Try new foods that appeal to you
• Add seasonings to your food, such as herbs and spices
• Make meal times pleasant by adding music, flowers, using pretty plates, and eating with loved ones

When to seek medical help

If you have symptoms that last longer than one week, seek medical attention. Ignoring a decreased appetite can have serious consequences, impacting your physical well-being and resulting in malnutrition^[3].

After proper treatment of the infection or underlying cause, your appetite should return to what it was before. However, it’s important to let your healthcare team know if loss of appetite is a problem for you^[2][13].

Special situations

Decreased appetite and pregnancy

During the first trimester of pregnancy, numerous expectant mothers experience morning sickness, leading to a decreased appetite even for beloved dishes. Specific foods’ smell or flavor could induce nausea and vomiting. These symptoms are typical because of hormonal level alterations. However, seeking medical advice is essential if poor appetite results in insufficient nutrient consumption^[3].

Decreased appetite with aging

Approximately 15% to 30% of older people lose their appetite as they age, a condition called anorexia of aging. As you get older, your lifestyle and your body’s systems can slow down or change. As a result, you may naturally require fewer calories^[4].

Possible causes of poor appetite in older adults include chronic disease, digestive issues (as digestion can slow down with age, making you feel fuller longer), hormonal changes, medication, oral and dental problems such as tooth loss and ill-fitting dentures, and mental health conditions such as depression^[4].

The good news is that decreased appetite is usually temporary. Most people find that their appetite returns to normal when treatments such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy are finished^[13].