BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuAppetite - decreasedLoss of appetite; Decreased appetite; AnorexiaA 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.Weight lossUnexplained weight loss is a decrease in body weight, when you did not try to lose the weight on your own. Many people gain and lose weight. Uninten...Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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 Colon cancerColon cancer screening can detect polyps and early cancers in the large intestine. This type of screening can find problems that can be treated befo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Ovarian cancer Ovarian cancerOvarian cancer is cancer that starts in the ovaries. The ovaries are the female reproductive organs that produce eggs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stomach cancer Stomach cancerStomach cancer is cancer that starts in the stomach.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pancreatic cancerPancreatic cancerPancreatic cancer is cancer that starts in the pancreas.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other causes of decreased appetite include:Chronic liver disease Chronic kidney disease Chronic kidney diseaseChronic kidney disease is the slow loss of kidney function over time. The main job of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease. Having COPD makes it hard to breathe. There are two main forms of COPD:Chroni...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Dementia DementiaDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Heart failure Hepatitis HepatitisHepatitis is swelling and inflammation of the liver.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HIV HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) HypothyroidismHypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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.ProteinProteins are the building blocks of life. Every cell in the human body contains protein. The basic structure of protein is a chain of amino acids. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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.x-rayX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article UltrasoundUltrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of organs and structures inside the body.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article In cases of severe malnutrition, nutrients are given through a vein (intravenously). This may require a hospital stay.IntravenouslyIntravenous means "within a vein. " Most often it refers to giving medicines or fluids through a needle or tube inserted into a vein. This allows th...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesMason 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.AllVideoImagesTogHypothyroidism - illustration Hypothyroidism is a decreased activity of the thyroid gland which may affect all body functions. The rate of metabolism slows causing mental and physical sluggishness. The most severe form of hypothyroidism is myxedema, which is a medical emergency.HypothyroidismillustrationHypothyroidism - illustration Hypothyroidism is a decreased activity of the thyroid gland which may affect all body functions. The rate of metabolism slows causing mental and physical sluggishness. The most severe form of hypothyroidism is myxedema, which is a medical emergency.HypothyroidismillustrationRelated Information Weight loss - unintentional(Symptoms) 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. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Appetite - decreasedLoss of appetite; Decreased appetite; AnorexiaA 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.Weight lossUnexplained weight loss is a decrease in body weight, when you did not try to lose the weight on your own. Many people gain and lose weight. Uninten...Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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 Colon cancerColon cancer screening can detect polyps and early cancers in the large intestine. This type of screening can find problems that can be treated befo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Ovarian cancer Ovarian cancerOvarian cancer is cancer that starts in the ovaries. The ovaries are the female reproductive organs that produce eggs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stomach cancer Stomach cancerStomach cancer is cancer that starts in the stomach.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pancreatic cancerPancreatic cancerPancreatic cancer is cancer that starts in the pancreas.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other causes of decreased appetite include:Chronic liver disease Chronic kidney disease Chronic kidney diseaseChronic kidney disease is the slow loss of kidney function over time. The main job of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease. Having COPD makes it hard to breathe. There are two main forms of COPD:Chroni...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Dementia DementiaDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Heart failure Hepatitis HepatitisHepatitis is swelling and inflammation of the liver.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HIV HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) HypothyroidismHypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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.ProteinProteins are the building blocks of life. Every cell in the human body contains protein. The basic structure of protein is a chain of amino acids. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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.x-rayX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article UltrasoundUltrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of organs and structures inside the body.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article In cases of severe malnutrition, nutrients are given through a vein (intravenously). This may require a hospital stay.IntravenouslyIntravenous means "within a vein. " Most often it refers to giving medicines or fluids through a needle or tube inserted into a vein. This allows th...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesMason 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.
