Reasons You Could Have Loss of Appetite and Nausea

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesWhy They Occur TogetherAt-Home RemediesTreatmentWhen to See a Healthcare Provider

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Causes

Why They Occur Together

At-Home Remedies

Treatment

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Having no appetite and feeling sick when you eat are frequently signs of an illness, whether a short-term viral infection or a long-lasting disease. However, appetite loss and nausea can arise from many physical and psychological causes.

Anorexia(the general medical term for loss of appetite) and nausea often go hand-in-hand, yet they’re not always due to illness. You can be healthy and stop feeling hungry or lose the desire to eat as you age or if you take certain medications.

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Causes of Appetite Loss and Nausea

There are many different reasons that you could have no appetite and nausea. These include physical illness, psychological issues, food intolerance, medications, intense exercise, and aging.

Infections

Bacterial and viral infections often impact your gastrointestinal tract, affecting your appetite and making you feel nauseous. These infections may be contagious diseases, such as the flu or COVID-19, or food-borne illnesses, such asEscherichia coli(E. coli).Some common infections include:

Medical Conditions

Many medical conditions diminish your desire to eat and make you feel sick. You may have a chronic illness requiring lifelong management or an acute condition that resolves with proper treatment. These are a few examples:

Types of cancer that could cause eating and stomach problems include:

One study found that when receiving a cancer diagnosis, 40-60% of patients have anorexia.If you have general symptoms that don’t improve, such as fatigue, stomach pain, appetite loss, and nausea, connect with your healthcare provider for a complete evaluation and diagnosis.

COVID-19can cause a loss of appetite and feelings of nausea. While they’re not the most common symptoms, they may lead to weight loss and other adverse health consequences that occur in COVID-19 patients.

Food Intolerance

Food allergiesand intolerances can make you feel nauseated and lead to a loss of appetite. Avoiding the food or ingredient you are allergic to or intolerant of helps relieve symptoms. Some food intolerances include:

Psychological Conditions

Psychological conditions often lower your appetite and cause nausea. Stress,anxiety,grief, anddepressionare often to blame for both problems.

In addition,eating disorders, such asanorexia nervosa(restricting eating, over-exercising, and purging to prevent weight gain) andbulimia nervosa(bingeing and purging to prevent weight gain), may lead to appetite loss and nausea.

Medications

Many types of medications may list anorexia and nausea as side effects. You may also experience other GI problems, such as constipation or diarrhea. A few of the most common include:

Aging

Psychosocial factors may also cause anorexia in older people, such as feelings of depression, isolation, anddementia. Additionally, older individuals tend to be on more medications that may contribute to low appetite and nausea.

Exercise

Long periods of intensiveexercisemay contribute to appetite loss and nausea. Studies have shown that extended periods of activity can suppress ghrelin, the hormone that makes you feel hungry.

Additionally, exercising in certain conditions, such as in the heat, can lead to dehydration, which may cause nausea and appetite loss.

If you frequently deal with these symptoms after exercise, talk to your healthcare provider or a dietitian to determine how to adjust your activity levels and nutrition strategies.

Hormones, including leptin, ghrelin, insulin, peptide YY (PYY), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), are key players in controlling appetite and letting the body know when it is hungry or full.

Conditions that cause inflammation, such as infection, cancer, stress, and others, disrupt or block the hormonal signals regulating hunger, leading to the loss of appetite.However, inflammation is not the only cause of suppressed appetite.

Making lifestyle changes may be enough to restore your appetite and eliminate nausea. Here are three approaches to consider:

Diet and Herbs

Implementing one or more of these tips helps overcome appetite loss and feeling sick:

Certain herbs and spices have been shown to reduce nausea in some individuals. If your nausea is contributing to a loss of appetite, these herbal remedies may help:

Stress Management

Stress can directly affect your stomach, causing bloating, nausea, and pain. Finding a way tomanage stressis essential for restoring your well-being. Practicingself-care, including journaling, finding quiet time, getting regular exercise, and following a healthy diet work wonders for easing stress.

There are many proven strategies for stress relief. Mindfulness meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation are three stress-reducing techniques you can do at home.

If your loss of appetite and nausea are chronic and cannot be managed in other ways, your healthcare provider may recommend medication. Therapy may also help if the loss of appetite is related to a psychological issue.

Medication

Talk with your healthcare provider to learn if one of the following might work for you:

Therapy

Mental health disorders often affect appetite and cause nausea.Talk therapy(psychotherapy) and counseling can be effective ways to manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, eating disorders, and other psychological issues affecting your appetite.

However, your symptoms could be signs of a more severe condition. Consult your healthcare provider if your symptoms persist, you’re unintentionally losing weight, or you have symptoms like tiredness, weakness, vomiting, and fainting.

For more vulnerable populations, such as people with cancer and older individuals, loss of appetite could contribute tomalnutritionand other serious health consequences. Getting medical care is crucial to avoid complications like hospitalization.

Should You Make Yourself Eat?You don’t want to force yourself to eat if it causes intense discomfort or symptoms like vomiting.However, with only a few exceptions, keeping nourished is essential even if you do not feel hungry. Your body depends on calories, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to support your immune system, heal from an illness or injury, and produce the energy you need to feel better.Ironically, you often need more calories and nutrients when you’re sick and don’t feel like eating.Try eating smaller, more frequent meals and choosing bland foods like plain pasta, rice, crackers, and applesauce. If you can, add nutrient-dense foods, like peanut butter or protein powder, to smoothies or shakes.

Should You Make Yourself Eat?

You don’t want to force yourself to eat if it causes intense discomfort or symptoms like vomiting.However, with only a few exceptions, keeping nourished is essential even if you do not feel hungry. Your body depends on calories, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to support your immune system, heal from an illness or injury, and produce the energy you need to feel better.Ironically, you often need more calories and nutrients when you’re sick and don’t feel like eating.Try eating smaller, more frequent meals and choosing bland foods like plain pasta, rice, crackers, and applesauce. If you can, add nutrient-dense foods, like peanut butter or protein powder, to smoothies or shakes.

You don’t want to force yourself to eat if it causes intense discomfort or symptoms like vomiting.

However, with only a few exceptions, keeping nourished is essential even if you do not feel hungry. Your body depends on calories, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to support your immune system, heal from an illness or injury, and produce the energy you need to feel better.

Ironically, you often need more calories and nutrients when you’re sick and don’t feel like eating.Try eating smaller, more frequent meals and choosing bland foods like plain pasta, rice, crackers, and applesauce. If you can, add nutrient-dense foods, like peanut butter or protein powder, to smoothies or shakes.

Summary

There are many approaches to treating a low appetite and nausea, from diet and lifestyle changes to medication. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine which treatments will work best for your situation.

16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rizvi A, Ziv Y, Crawford JM, Trindade AJ.Gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary symptoms and disorders with long (Chronic) covid infection.Gastroenterol Clin North Am.2023;52(1):139-156. doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2022.09.002Nagaraj S.Loss of appetite in adult patients: effectiveness and safety of an appetite stimulating medication in an open-label, investigator-initiated study in India.J Nutr Metab. 2022;2022:2661912. doi:10.1155/2022/2661912Hariyanto TI, Kurniawan A.Appetite problem in cancer patients: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.Cancer Treat Res Commun. 2021;27:100336. doi:10.1016/j.ctarc.2021.100336Molfino A, de van der Schueren MAE, Sánchez-Lara K, et al.Cancer-associated anorexia: Validity and performance overtime of different appetite tools among patients at their first cancer diagnosis.Clin Nutr. 2021 Jun;40(6):4037-4042. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2021.02.016Gargano D, Appanna R, Santonicola A, et al.Food allergy and intolerance: a narrative review on nutritional concerns.Nutrients. 2021;13(5):1638. doi:10.3390/nu13051638Ans AH, Anjum I, Satija V, et al.Neurohormonal regulation of appetite and its relationship with stress: a mini literature review.Cureus. 2018;10(7):e3032. doi:10.7759/cureus.3032National Health Service (UK).Side effects: antibiotics.National Health Service (UK).Side effects: antidepressants.Pilgrim AL, Robinson SM, Sayer AA, et al.An overview of appetite decline in older people.Nurs Older People. 2015;27(5):29-35. doi:10.7748/nop.27.5.29.e697Dorling J, Broom DR, Burns SF, et al.Acute and chronic effects of exercise on appetite, energy intake, and appetite-related hormones: the modulating effect of adiposity, sex, and habitual physical activity.Nutrients. 2018;10(9):1140. doi:10.3390/nu10091140Heckroth M, Luckett RT, Moser C, et al.Nausea and vomiting in 2021: a comprehensive update.J Clin Gastroenterol. 2021;55(4):279-299. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001485Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.Nutrition tips for managing loss of appetite.Blundell JE, Gibbons C, Caudwell P, et al.Appetite control and energy balance: impact of exercise.Obes Rev. 2015;16 Suppl 1:67-76. doi:10.1111/obr.12257. PMID: 25614205National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Relaxation techniques for stress.Bullock AF, Greenley SL, McKenzie GAG, et al.Relationship between markers of malnutrition and clinical outcomes in older adults with cancer: systematic review, narrative synthesis and meta-analysis.Eur J Clin Nutr. 2020;74(11):1519-1535. doi:10.1038/s41430-020-0629-0National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Extra calories when sick – adults.

16 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rizvi A, Ziv Y, Crawford JM, Trindade AJ.Gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary symptoms and disorders with long (Chronic) covid infection.Gastroenterol Clin North Am.2023;52(1):139-156. doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2022.09.002Nagaraj S.Loss of appetite in adult patients: effectiveness and safety of an appetite stimulating medication in an open-label, investigator-initiated study in India.J Nutr Metab. 2022;2022:2661912. doi:10.1155/2022/2661912Hariyanto TI, Kurniawan A.Appetite problem in cancer patients: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.Cancer Treat Res Commun. 2021;27:100336. doi:10.1016/j.ctarc.2021.100336Molfino A, de van der Schueren MAE, Sánchez-Lara K, et al.Cancer-associated anorexia: Validity and performance overtime of different appetite tools among patients at their first cancer diagnosis.Clin Nutr. 2021 Jun;40(6):4037-4042. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2021.02.016Gargano D, Appanna R, Santonicola A, et al.Food allergy and intolerance: a narrative review on nutritional concerns.Nutrients. 2021;13(5):1638. doi:10.3390/nu13051638Ans AH, Anjum I, Satija V, et al.Neurohormonal regulation of appetite and its relationship with stress: a mini literature review.Cureus. 2018;10(7):e3032. doi:10.7759/cureus.3032National Health Service (UK).Side effects: antibiotics.National Health Service (UK).Side effects: antidepressants.Pilgrim AL, Robinson SM, Sayer AA, et al.An overview of appetite decline in older people.Nurs Older People. 2015;27(5):29-35. doi:10.7748/nop.27.5.29.e697Dorling J, Broom DR, Burns SF, et al.Acute and chronic effects of exercise on appetite, energy intake, and appetite-related hormones: the modulating effect of adiposity, sex, and habitual physical activity.Nutrients. 2018;10(9):1140. doi:10.3390/nu10091140Heckroth M, Luckett RT, Moser C, et al.Nausea and vomiting in 2021: a comprehensive update.J Clin Gastroenterol. 2021;55(4):279-299. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001485Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.Nutrition tips for managing loss of appetite.Blundell JE, Gibbons C, Caudwell P, et al.Appetite control and energy balance: impact of exercise.Obes Rev. 2015;16 Suppl 1:67-76. doi:10.1111/obr.12257. PMID: 25614205National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Relaxation techniques for stress.Bullock AF, Greenley SL, McKenzie GAG, et al.Relationship between markers of malnutrition and clinical outcomes in older adults with cancer: systematic review, narrative synthesis and meta-analysis.Eur J Clin Nutr. 2020;74(11):1519-1535. doi:10.1038/s41430-020-0629-0National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Extra calories when sick – adults.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Rizvi A, Ziv Y, Crawford JM, Trindade AJ.Gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary symptoms and disorders with long (Chronic) covid infection.Gastroenterol Clin North Am.2023;52(1):139-156. doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2022.09.002Nagaraj S.Loss of appetite in adult patients: effectiveness and safety of an appetite stimulating medication in an open-label, investigator-initiated study in India.J Nutr Metab. 2022;2022:2661912. doi:10.1155/2022/2661912Hariyanto TI, Kurniawan A.Appetite problem in cancer patients: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.Cancer Treat Res Commun. 2021;27:100336. doi:10.1016/j.ctarc.2021.100336Molfino A, de van der Schueren MAE, Sánchez-Lara K, et al.Cancer-associated anorexia: Validity and performance overtime of different appetite tools among patients at their first cancer diagnosis.Clin Nutr. 2021 Jun;40(6):4037-4042. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2021.02.016Gargano D, Appanna R, Santonicola A, et al.Food allergy and intolerance: a narrative review on nutritional concerns.Nutrients. 2021;13(5):1638. doi:10.3390/nu13051638Ans AH, Anjum I, Satija V, et al.Neurohormonal regulation of appetite and its relationship with stress: a mini literature review.Cureus. 2018;10(7):e3032. doi:10.7759/cureus.3032National Health Service (UK).Side effects: antibiotics.National Health Service (UK).Side effects: antidepressants.Pilgrim AL, Robinson SM, Sayer AA, et al.An overview of appetite decline in older people.Nurs Older People. 2015;27(5):29-35. doi:10.7748/nop.27.5.29.e697Dorling J, Broom DR, Burns SF, et al.Acute and chronic effects of exercise on appetite, energy intake, and appetite-related hormones: the modulating effect of adiposity, sex, and habitual physical activity.Nutrients. 2018;10(9):1140. doi:10.3390/nu10091140Heckroth M, Luckett RT, Moser C, et al.Nausea and vomiting in 2021: a comprehensive update.J Clin Gastroenterol. 2021;55(4):279-299. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001485Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.Nutrition tips for managing loss of appetite.Blundell JE, Gibbons C, Caudwell P, et al.Appetite control and energy balance: impact of exercise.Obes Rev. 2015;16 Suppl 1:67-76. doi:10.1111/obr.12257. PMID: 25614205National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Relaxation techniques for stress.Bullock AF, Greenley SL, McKenzie GAG, et al.Relationship between markers of malnutrition and clinical outcomes in older adults with cancer: systematic review, narrative synthesis and meta-analysis.Eur J Clin Nutr. 2020;74(11):1519-1535. doi:10.1038/s41430-020-0629-0National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Extra calories when sick – adults.

Rizvi A, Ziv Y, Crawford JM, Trindade AJ.Gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary symptoms and disorders with long (Chronic) covid infection.Gastroenterol Clin North Am.2023;52(1):139-156. doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2022.09.002

Nagaraj S.Loss of appetite in adult patients: effectiveness and safety of an appetite stimulating medication in an open-label, investigator-initiated study in India.J Nutr Metab. 2022;2022:2661912. doi:10.1155/2022/2661912

Hariyanto TI, Kurniawan A.Appetite problem in cancer patients: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.Cancer Treat Res Commun. 2021;27:100336. doi:10.1016/j.ctarc.2021.100336

Molfino A, de van der Schueren MAE, Sánchez-Lara K, et al.Cancer-associated anorexia: Validity and performance overtime of different appetite tools among patients at their first cancer diagnosis.Clin Nutr. 2021 Jun;40(6):4037-4042. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2021.02.016

Gargano D, Appanna R, Santonicola A, et al.Food allergy and intolerance: a narrative review on nutritional concerns.Nutrients. 2021;13(5):1638. doi:10.3390/nu13051638

Ans AH, Anjum I, Satija V, et al.Neurohormonal regulation of appetite and its relationship with stress: a mini literature review.Cureus. 2018;10(7):e3032. doi:10.7759/cureus.3032

National Health Service (UK).Side effects: antibiotics.

National Health Service (UK).Side effects: antidepressants.

Pilgrim AL, Robinson SM, Sayer AA, et al.An overview of appetite decline in older people.Nurs Older People. 2015;27(5):29-35. doi:10.7748/nop.27.5.29.e697

Dorling J, Broom DR, Burns SF, et al.Acute and chronic effects of exercise on appetite, energy intake, and appetite-related hormones: the modulating effect of adiposity, sex, and habitual physical activity.Nutrients. 2018;10(9):1140. doi:10.3390/nu10091140

Heckroth M, Luckett RT, Moser C, et al.Nausea and vomiting in 2021: a comprehensive update.J Clin Gastroenterol. 2021;55(4):279-299. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001485

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.Nutrition tips for managing loss of appetite.

Blundell JE, Gibbons C, Caudwell P, et al.Appetite control and energy balance: impact of exercise.Obes Rev. 2015;16 Suppl 1:67-76. doi:10.1111/obr.12257. PMID: 25614205

National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Relaxation techniques for stress.

Bullock AF, Greenley SL, McKenzie GAG, et al.Relationship between markers of malnutrition and clinical outcomes in older adults with cancer: systematic review, narrative synthesis and meta-analysis.Eur J Clin Nutr. 2020;74(11):1519-1535. doi:10.1038/s41430-020-0629-0

National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Extra calories when sick – adults.

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