Heartburn and loss of appetite

Burning behind the breastbone can make eating uncomfortable, and nausea or upper-abdominal irritation may reduce interest in food. Gastritis and peptic ulcer disease are possible digestive causes. Loss of appetite can also accompany gastroenteritis, influenza, COVID-19, hepatitis A, or depression. Less common but serious conditions, including pancreatic cancer, may also affect appetite; the symptom combination does not establish any one diagnosis.

Tell a clinician whether the change started suddenly, whether food causes pain, and whether you have vomiting, fever, diarrhoea, yellowing of the skin, or unplanned weight change.

Take frequent sips of fluid and choose small, bland meals if larger portions worsen burning or nausea. Avoid alcohol and foods that clearly aggravate symptoms. Keep a record of intake, vomiting, bowel changes, fever, and medicines. Do not force food when severely nauseated, but seek advice if you cannot maintain fluids or your appetite remains low. A clinician can decide whether digestive testing, infection assessment, or support for mood symptoms is appropriate.

Seek urgent care for vomiting blood, black stools, severe or worsening abdominal pain, chest pressure, breathing difficulty, confusion, fainting, or inability to keep fluids down. Arrange prompt medical review for persistent loss of appetite, unplanned weight loss, yellow skin or eyes, ongoing vomiting, fever, or pain that repeatedly follows meals. Do not wait for appetite to return if these warning signs are present.

Could reflux or gastritis explain the burning and reduced appetite? Do I need assessment for infection or another abdominal condition? Which symptoms should I track? How can I maintain fluids and nutrition while this is investigated?