Pregnancy SmartSite^TM

• Home
• Email
• Site Map
• Contact

• Normal Pregnancy
• Labor & Delivery
• Complications
• After Your Child Is Born

Normal Pregnancy

Staying Healthy

Alcohol and pregnancy Managing your weight gain in pregnancy Steps to take before you get pregnant When you need to gain more weight during pregnancy

What to expect during pregnancy

Aches and pains during pregnancy Choosing the right practitioner Common symptoms during pregnancy Hyperemesis Gravidarum Morning sickness Pregnancy and travel Pregnancy and work Problems sleeping during pregnancy Skin and hair changes during pregnancy Teenage pregnancy

Preparing to go home with your baby

Cribs and crib safety Eat right during pregnancy Preparing your other children

Visits and Tests

Amniocentesis Chorionic villus sampling Genetic counseling before pregnancy Glucose tolerance test-pregnancy Monitoring your baby before labor Nuchal translucency Prenatal care in your first trimester Prenatal care in your second trimester Prenatal care in your third trimester

Appetite - decreased

Definition

A decreased appetite is when your desire to eat is reduced. The medical term for a loss of appetite is anorexia.

Considerations

Any illness can reduce appetite. If the illness is treatable, the appetite should return when the condition is cured.

Loss of appetite can cause weight loss.

Causes

A decreased appetite is often seen in older adults. Often, no physical cause is found. Emotions such as sadness, depression, or grief can lead to a loss of appetite.

Cancer can also cause decreased appetite. You may lose weight without trying. Cancers that may cause you to lose your appetite include:

• Colon cancer

• Ovarian cancer

• Stomach cancer

• Pancreatic cancer

Other causes of decreased appetite include:

• Chronic liver disease

• Chronic kidney disease

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

• Dementia

• Heart failure

• Hepatitis

• HIV

• Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)

• Pregnancy (first trimester)

• Use of certain medicines, including antibiotics, chemotherapy medicines, codeine, and morphine

• Use of street drugs, including amphetamines (speed), cocaine, and heroin

Home Care

People with cancer or a chronic illness that causes weight loss need to increase their protein and calorie intake by eating high-calorie, nutritious snacks or several small meals during the day. Liquid protein drinks may be helpful.

Family members should try to supply favorite foods to help stimulate the person's appetite.

Keep a record of what you eat and drink for 24 or more hours. This is called a diet history.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your health care provider if you lose more than 10 pounds or 4.5 kilograms (kg) without trying.

Seek medical help if decreased appetite occurs along with other signs of depression, prescription medicine, illegal drug or alcohol use, or an eating disorder.

For loss of appetite caused by medicines, ask your provider about changing the dosage or medicine. Do not stop taking any medicine without first talking to your provider.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your provider will perform a physical exam and will check your height and weight.

You'll be asked about diet and medical history. Questions may include:

• Is the decreased appetite severe or mild?

• Have you lost any weight? How much?

• Is the decreased appetite a new symptom?

• If so, did it start after an upsetting event, such as the death of a family member or friend?

• What other symptoms are present?

Tests that may be done include imaging tests, such as x-ray or ultrasound. Blood and urine tests may also be ordered.

In cases of severe malnutrition, nutrients are given through a vein (intravenously). This may require a hospital stay.

References

Mason JB. Nutritional principles and assessment of the gastroenterology patient. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 5.

McGee S. Protein-energy malnutrition and weight loss. In: McGee S, ed. Evidence-Based Physical Diagnosis. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 12.

McQuaid KR. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 118.

Review Date: 7/23/2024

Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.