Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRelated SymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentWhen to Seek Medical AttentionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Related Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
When to Seek Medical Attention
Frequently Asked Questions
Diarrheaand loss of appetite are two common digestive complaints that can occur separately or together and are often indicative of another underlying health condition.
This article will explain the potential causes of diarrhea and a loss of appetite, as well as diagnosis and treatment options for these digestive issues.
Both diarrhea and loss of appetite may present along with other symptoms.
Symptoms that may be associated with diarrhea include:
Symptoms that may be associated with loss of appetite include:
Causes of Diarrhea and Loss of Appetite
Diarrhea and a loss of appetite can be due to a number of causes.
Common causes of diarrhea include:
There are also numerous reasons for a loss of appetite. In elderly adults, a decrease in appetite can occur with no apparent physical cause.
Possible causes for a loss of appetite include:
Diagnosing the Issue
Diarrhea and a loss of appetite can be due to many causes. Your healthcare provider may use several tests to determine the underlying cause.
History and Physical Evaluation
During a history and physical exam, your healthcare provider will ask a series of questions, examine your body and take a number of measurements to determine your overall health.
This includes:
Dietary Recall
If your healthcare provider suspects that you may have a food intolerance or allergy that may be contributing to your diarrhea or loss of appetite, they may ask about what foods you have been eating.
Your healthcare provider may also ask you to exclude certain foods from your diet to see if your symptoms improve, or to keep a food diary for a few weeks to help identify any triggers.
How to Keep a Food Journal
Blood Tests
Ablood testcan be used to detect a number of underlying conditions like celiac disease, chronic liver disease, or hypothyroidism. A blood test can also be useful for detecting low levels of vitamins that could indicate problems with nutrient absorption in the intestines.
Stool Samples
Your healthcare provider may take a sample of stool to be tested in a lab. This helps in detecting the presence of any abnormal bacteria or other infections in the digestive tract that may be causing symptoms like diarrhea or loss of appetite.
Treating Loss of Appetite and Diarrhea
Treatment for loss of appetite or diarrhea will depend on the underlying cause of the symptoms.
Medications like antibiotics may be used to treat infections, and other prescription medications may be used to treat or manage the symptoms of underlying health conditions like Crohn’s disease.
There are also home remedies that are known to help with short-term diarrhea and loss of appetite.
To help with diarrhea, consider trying the following tips:
To help with a loss of appetite, consider trying:
It’s normal to experience diarrhea and/or loss of appetite for a few days, especially if you have or are recovering from a stomach bug or have been traveling. But if these issues persist for more than four days or worsen, consult your healthcare provider. They can help determine the underlying cause and direct you to the appropriate treatment.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have diarrhea that does not improve in five days or occurs with any of the following symptoms:
If you have a loss of appetite, call your healthcare provider if you also:
Summary
There are a number of things that can cause diarrhea. A sudden change in diet or stress may cause diarrhea as well as a lack of appetite. However, not eating has not been associated with causing diarrhea.
Those with a lack of appetite should try and eat their favorite foods, even if this means eating lots of starchy foods like pasta and bread or eating breakfast foods for every meal.To get in enough calories, reach for foods that are high in protein and fat like steak, eggs, peanut butter, and cheese.
Those with a lack of appetite should try and eat their favorite foods, even if this means eating lots of starchy foods like pasta and bread or eating breakfast foods for every meal.
To get in enough calories, reach for foods that are high in protein and fat like steak, eggs, peanut butter, and cheese.
10 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.MedlinePlus.Diarrhea.MedlinePlus.Appetite - decreasedAmerican College of Gastroenterology.Diarrheal diseases – acute and chronic.American Cancer Society.Loss of appetiteMusialik J, Suchecka W, Klimacka-Nawrot E, Petelenz M, Hartman M, Błońska-Fajfrowska B.Taste and appetite disorders of chronic hepatitis C patients.Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012;24(12):1400-1405. doi:10.1097/MEG.0b013e3283589f63Health Direct.Changes to your appetite.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of diarrhea.Johns Hopkins Medicine.DiarrheaMedlinePlus.When you have diarrheaHealth Direct.Underlying causes of diarrhoea
10 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.MedlinePlus.Diarrhea.MedlinePlus.Appetite - decreasedAmerican College of Gastroenterology.Diarrheal diseases – acute and chronic.American Cancer Society.Loss of appetiteMusialik J, Suchecka W, Klimacka-Nawrot E, Petelenz M, Hartman M, Błońska-Fajfrowska B.Taste and appetite disorders of chronic hepatitis C patients.Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012;24(12):1400-1405. doi:10.1097/MEG.0b013e3283589f63Health Direct.Changes to your appetite.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of diarrhea.Johns Hopkins Medicine.DiarrheaMedlinePlus.When you have diarrheaHealth Direct.Underlying causes of diarrhoea
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.
MedlinePlus.Diarrhea.MedlinePlus.Appetite - decreasedAmerican College of Gastroenterology.Diarrheal diseases – acute and chronic.American Cancer Society.Loss of appetiteMusialik J, Suchecka W, Klimacka-Nawrot E, Petelenz M, Hartman M, Błońska-Fajfrowska B.Taste and appetite disorders of chronic hepatitis C patients.Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012;24(12):1400-1405. doi:10.1097/MEG.0b013e3283589f63Health Direct.Changes to your appetite.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of diarrhea.Johns Hopkins Medicine.DiarrheaMedlinePlus.When you have diarrheaHealth Direct.Underlying causes of diarrhoea
MedlinePlus.Diarrhea.
MedlinePlus.Appetite - decreased
American College of Gastroenterology.Diarrheal diseases – acute and chronic.
American Cancer Society.Loss of appetite
Musialik J, Suchecka W, Klimacka-Nawrot E, Petelenz M, Hartman M, Błońska-Fajfrowska B.Taste and appetite disorders of chronic hepatitis C patients.Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012;24(12):1400-1405. doi:10.1097/MEG.0b013e3283589f63
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of diarrhea.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Diarrhea
MedlinePlus.When you have diarrhea
Health Direct.Underlying causes of diarrhoea
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