Loss of appetite

Category: General & Whole-Body Symptoms · All general symptoms

What it can feel like

Loss of appetite means food stops appealing to you — you feel full quickly, skip meals, or have to make yourself eat. A day or two off your food during an illness is normal; an appetite that stays away for weeks is a symptom worth checking.

Possible causes

A symptom can have many causes, and most are not serious. The lists below group conditions this symptom can be associated with — common causes first. They are possibilities to discuss with a clinician, not a diagnosis.

Common causes

Loss of appetite can be associated with infections while you recover, with stress, anxiety and low mood, with dental or swallowing problems, with constipation, and with many medicines, including some antibiotics and painkillers.

Other possible causes

A persistent loss of appetite can be associated with stomach, liver or kidney conditions, with thyroid problems, with longer-running infections and, less commonly, with cancers — particularly when it comes with weight loss.

Red flags — when to seek help promptly

Loss of appetite with unexplained weight loss
Loss of appetite with persistent vomiting or inability to keep fluids down
Loss of appetite with severe abdominal pain or yellowing of the eyes
A baby or child who stops feeding and becomes drowsy or produces few wet nappies

What a clinician may do

A clinician will ask how long it has lasted, how much weight you have lost, and about bowels, mood, medicines and alcohol. Examination and blood tests are usual; imaging of the stomach or bowel, or referral, may follow depending on the findings.

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Frequently asked questions

Is it normal to lose my appetite when ill?

Yes — during colds, flu and tummy bugs appetite usually fades and returns as you recover. The concern is an appetite that does not come back over a few weeks, or that comes with weight loss or other symptoms.

What helps while I wait to be seen?

Small, frequent, energy-rich meals and drinks are easier than large plates, and treating constipation or mouth problems can help. Keep a note of your weight and what you manage to eat — it helps your clinician.

Related symptoms — General & Whole-Body Symptoms

Chills Excessive sweating Excessive thirst Fatigue Feeling cold all the time Feeling generally unwell (malaise)

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Please note: This page is educational information about a symptom. A symptom alone cannot diagnose any condition, and the causes listed here are possibilities, not a diagnosis. If you are worried about a symptom — especially one that is new, severe, getting worse or not going away — please see your own clinician, who can examine you and arrange tests. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.