Why does appetite decrease when sick

Of course, you might find yourself with impaired smell and taste during a bout of the sniffles. And when things don't taste or smell as yummy as normal, you may simply be less excited to dig in. Loss of appetite may also discourage viruses from growing more.

Eating less "may decrease certain substances that viruses 'feed' on," says Hensrud. Same goes for bacteria, which won't find as much glucose and iron in the blood to feed on if you're eating less.

But that doesn't mean you shouldn't eat. Actively trying to starve out sickness and thereby depriving your body of enough calories could actually hinder the healing process, considering your body needs considerable energy stores to send your immune system into high alert , Everyday Health reported. Experts recommend listening to your body and eating when you're hungry , in addition to getting plenty of rest and fluids. Ask Healthy Living! News U. Losing your appetite during a bacterial infection is actually a good thing, Saper said.

Bacteria live on a type of sugar called glucose. When a person gets sick and stops eating, there is less glucose around, which means bacteria essentially starve. The person, luckily, does not, because humans are well-adapted to use an alternate fuel, fat, to keep metabolism going. Losing your appetite doesn't help fight viral infections, because viruses don't live off glucose in the same way as bacteria. There are various psychological causes for a decreased appetite.

Boredom and stress have also been linked to a decreased appetite. Eating disorders , such as anorexia nervosa, can also lead to a decreased appetite overall.

A person with anorexia nervosa undergoes self-starvation or other methods to lose weight. People who have this condition are typically underweight and have a fear of gaining weight. Anorexia nervosa can also cause malnutrition. Cancer can also cause loss of appetite, particularly if the cancer is concentrated in the following areas:.

Pregnancy can also cause a loss of appetite during the first trimester. Some medications and drugs may reduce your appetite. These include illicit drugs — such as cocaine, heroin, and amphetamines — along with prescribed medications. Always contact your doctor right away if you begin to lose weight rapidly for no apparent reason. Treatment for a decreased appetite will depend on its cause.

If loss of appetite is due to a medical condition such as cancer or chronic illness, it can be difficult to stimulate your appetite. However, taking pleasure from food by eating with family and friends, cooking your favorite foods, or going out to eat at restaurants may help to encourage eating. To help handle your lack of appetite, you might consider focusing on eating just one large meal per day, with light snacks in between. Eating frequent small meals can also be helpful, and these are usually easier on the stomach than large meals.

Light exercise may also help increase appetite. You may also want to try liquid protein drinks. It can be useful to keep a diary of what you eat and drink over a period of a few days to a week. This will help your doctor to assess your nutritional intake and the extent of your decreased appetite. During your appointment, your doctor will try to create a full picture of your symptoms.

Be prepared to answer questions about:. In some cases, you will be tested for pregnancy and HIV.