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I have no appetite and feel sick when I eat: what should I do?

Where Nausea is typically felt, shown on a simplified body outline
Illustration: Where Nausea is typically felt, shown on a simplified body outline

Short answer

Loss of appetite with nausea during meals can have several causes; arrange medical advice if it persists, limits fluids, or comes with warning symptoms.

This answers one question. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace an assessment by a licensed doctor.

At a glance

Eating
Small, plain portions may be easier than large meals.
Hydration
Take frequent sips and monitor urine output.
Warning signs
Severe pain, repeated vomiting, confusion or jaundice needs prompt help.

Possible explanations

Nausea may accompany acid reflux, gastritis, gastroenteritis or food poisoning. Gallstones can cause nausea with upper-abdominal pain, while heat exhaustion can reduce appetite alongside weakness and heavy sweating. Hepatitis A may cause nausea with tiredness, dark urine or yellowing of the skin. Low blood sugar can cause nausea with shaking, sweating or confusion. The symptom pattern, medicines and health history help distinguish these possibilities.

Easing nausea and protecting hydration

Try small, plain meals rather than large portions, eat slowly and avoid strong smells or foods that reliably trigger symptoms. Take frequent sips of water or oral rehydration solution. Remain upright after eating if reflux is possible. Keep a record of meals, pain, vomiting, bowel changes, fever, urine colour and any new medicines. Do not stop prescribed treatment without advice, and arrange a review if eating less is affecting your strength or daily activities.

When to get prompt help

Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, blood in vomit or stool, fainting, confusion, very little urine, chest pain, or yellow skin or eyes. Get prompt advice if you cannot keep fluids down, symptoms follow significant heat exposure, or you have diabetes and possible low blood sugar. Pregnancy, frailty and long-term illness lower the threshold for medical review.

Questions for your doctor

Ask what causes fit your symptoms, whether you need blood or other tests, how to maintain fluids and nutrition, and which warning signs should trigger urgent care.

Find care

General Clinics & Polyclinics in Abu Dhabi

That answer is general. If you want it applied to your own case, these are licensed general clinics & polyclinics listed in Abu Dhabi.

City
See every listing in Abu Dhabi

Ordered by verification status and how complete each clinic's public record is, then alphabetically. This is a directory listing, not a ranking — Zavis does not rate or recommend providers.

A factual listing drawn from the DHA, DOH and MOHAP licence registers. It is not a referral, an endorsement, or advice that any of these providers is right for you.

Questions people ask

Why do I feel sick when I start eating?

Nausea around meals can occur with digestive illness, reflux, gallstones, heat illness, low blood sugar or other causes; the accompanying symptoms help guide assessment.

When should loss of appetite be checked?

Arrange medical advice when it persists, reduces fluid intake or strength, or occurs with pain, repeated vomiting, jaundice, confusion or very little urine.

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Medical disclaimer. This page is general health information, not medical advice, and it cannot diagnose you. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider about your own symptoms and treatment. In an emergency in the UAE, call 998 for an ambulance.