Changes in appetite
Changes in appetite can mean you have lost the desire to eat or crave certain types of food. This can be due to several factors, including bowel conditions such as Crohn’s disease or acid reflux.
Contact us if you are concerned about any changes in your diet and appetite.
Overview | Symptoms | Causes | Diagnosis | Treatments
What is a change in appetite?
Loss of appetite
A loss of appetite happens when you don’t feel hungry or have the desire to eat any food. This can cause you to:
- Have food aversion (not enjoying the taste, sight, or smell of food)
- Not want to eat around other people
- Feel full
Increased appetite
An increased appetite happens when you have sudden food cravings or have the desire to eat more food. This can cause you to:
- Eat more often
- Eat larger portions of food
- Gain weight
Symptoms
A loss of appetite can come with other symptoms, such as:
- Fatigue or low energy
- Changes to your skin, hair, or nails
- Muscle weakness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
A loss of appetite that lasts longer than a week is a sign of concern. If you have been experiencing symptoms for more than a week, we would advise you to speak to a specialist.
An increased appetite may cause overeating, which can lead to symptoms such as:
If you find yourself overeating more than once per week for a few months, we suggest discussing your symptoms and eating behaviours with a healthcare provider.
Causes
Change in appetite may be due to many factors. These include medication, physical causes, such as pain or injury, emotional or psychological causes, or underlying health conditions.
Some digestive health conditions can lead to persistent changes in appetite. These include:
Loss of appetite
Increased appetite
An increased appetite is not typically a symptom of a digestive issue. However, overconsumption of food can worsen symptoms of certain digestive disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). If you are concerned, speak to a healthcare professional to help diagnose your condition.
Diagnosis
During your initial consultation, we will assess your family and medical history, and evaluate your symptoms in detail. We will ask if you have any other symptoms and how long you’ve had a change in appetite.
The tests we suggested after will depend on what we discover in our initial assessment. We may suggest blood tests to identify any signs of antibodies in the blood that might indicate a digestive issue.
An upper endoscopy is a common test we perform to look for signs of a digestive condition. These conditions include GORD, functional heartburn, and functional dyspepsia.
A colonoscopy may also be performed to look for signs of conditions such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and bowel cancer.
Treatments
We will tailor your treatment plan according to the findings of our tests and your individual needs.
Treatment ranges from lifestyle changes to potential surgery, depending on what we discover during our consultations.
Some lifestyle changes that will help your condition include:
- Eating small meals regularly throughout the day
- Maintaining your mental health
- Keeping a healthy sleep schedule
- Increase physical activity
- Stay hydrated
- Drink herbal teas to help with digestion
If your symptoms are persistent, don’t just put up with them. Book an appointment with Digestive Health UK, and we can discuss the best course of action for you.
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Book an appointment
A change in appetite can be frustrating, so don’t put up with it. Our gastroenterologists will perform thorough consultations, testing, and treatment for various digestive issues.
Our clinic’s holistic approach utilises a broad selection of experts, from dieticians to surgeons. Book an initial consultation today and get control of your appetite.