What should you know about chemotherapy loss of appetite?

Treatment can alter taste and smell, cause nausea or constipation, dry the mouth, or make eating tiring. Pain, anxiety, and low mood can also reduce interest in food. Loss of appetite is a common presentation of several illnesses, including Influenza, COVID-19, Gastroenteritis, Gastritis, Hepatitis A, Peptic Ulcer, and Depression; the symptom does not by itself identify the cause. Pancreatic Cancer can also affect appetite, but a person receiving chemotherapy needs assessment in the context of their treatment, symptoms, and intake.

Tell your oncology team what you can eat and drink, whether nausea or pain is limiting you, and whether smells trigger symptoms. Try small frequent meals, nourishing drinks, and foods with protein or energy that match your preferences. Eat when appetite is strongest, keep easy-to-serve portions available, and sip fluids between meals if drinks make you feel full. A dietitian can tailor advice to your treatment and medical needs. Take anti-nausea or other prescribed medicines as directed, and do not start supplements or herbal products without checking for interactions.

Contact your treatment team promptly if you are eating very little, cannot keep fluids down, have repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, new mouth pain, worsening weakness, dizziness, or difficulty taking essential medicines. Seek urgent care for confusion, fainting, severe abdominal pain, breathing difficulty, or signs of significant dehydration such as very little urine. Record meals, drinks, vomiting, bowel changes, and weight trends if your team has asked you to monitor them.

Could my medicines be adjusted for nausea, pain, constipation, or taste changes? What foods or drinks are suitable for my treatment? When should I speak with a dietitian? Which symptoms mean I should call the oncology service the same day?