Loss of appetite, nausea and diarrhoea: what to know

Gastroenteritis commonly causes diarrhoea, nausea, stomach cramps, and reduced appetite. Food-related infection, influenza, or COVID-19 can produce digestive symptoms as well. Gastritis or a peptic ulcer may cause upper-abdominal pain, nausea, and reluctance to eat. Hepatitis A can cause nausea and appetite loss with tiredness, dark urine, pale stools, or yellowing of the skin. Symptoms alone cannot identify the cause.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. When nausea eases, try plain foods such as rice, toast, bananas, potatoes, soup, or yoghurt, then gradually return to usual meals. Avoid alcohol and foods that clearly worsen symptoms. Wash hands with soap and water, avoid preparing food for others while diarrhoea continues, and ask a pharmacist or clinician before taking anti-diarrhoeal medicine, especially for a child, during pregnancy, or when fever or blood is present.

Seek urgent care for severe dehydration, fainting, confusion, severe or localised abdominal pain, blood or black stool, repeated vomiting, high fever with marked illness, or yellow skin or eyes. Arrange medical advice when symptoms are not improving, diarrhoea follows recent travel or antibiotics, or the person is an infant, older adult, pregnant, or living with a condition that increases dehydration risk.

Ask which fluids are suitable, whether you need testing or treatment, and which medicines to avoid. Report when symptoms began, stool appearance, fever, pain, recent travel, sick contacts, antibiotics, and how much urine you are passing.