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What should you know about major loss of appetite?

Where Loss of Appetite is typically felt, shown on a simplified body outline
Illustration: Where Loss of Appetite is typically felt, shown on a simplified body outline

Short answer

Major loss of appetite means eating feels unusually difficult or unappealing, and persistent change deserves assessment for its underlying cause.

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

At a glance

Track
Food, fluids, symptoms, medicines, and weight changes.
Seek help
Urgent review is needed for severe dehydration, bleeding, jaundice, or severe pain.

Possible explanations

Appetite may fall during COVID-19, influenza, gastroenteritis, or hepatitis A, particularly with nausea, fever, altered taste, diarrhoea, or tiredness. Depression can reduce interest in food and daily activities. Gastritis and peptic ulcer disease may make eating uncomfortable. Less commonly, ongoing appetite loss with jaundice, persistent upper abdominal or back pain, or unexplained weight loss can accompany a serious digestive illness such as pancreatic cancer. One symptom cannot establish a diagnosis.

Support food and fluids

Take small, frequent portions and choose nourishing foods that are easy to tolerate. Sip fluids regularly, especially after vomiting or diarrhoea, and keep a simple record of intake, symptoms, medicines, and weight changes. Avoid forcing large meals. Arrange a clinical review if the change continues, affects daily function, or makes it difficult to maintain fluids or prescribed medicines.

When to seek care

Seek urgent care for confusion, fainting, severe dehydration, blood in vomit or stools, severe abdominal pain, yellow skin or eyes, or inability to keep fluids down. Prompt review is also needed for ongoing appetite loss with marked weakness, persistent vomiting, or unintended weight loss.

Questions for your doctor

Ask whether an infection, digestive problem, mood change, or medicine could explain the appetite loss. Ask which tests or nutrition support may help and what change should trigger earlier review.

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

Can an infection cause loss of appetite?

Yes. COVID-19, influenza, gastroenteritis, and hepatitis A can reduce appetite, often alongside other illness symptoms.

When is poor appetite concerning?

It is concerning when it persists, prevents adequate fluids or medicines, or occurs with dehydration, bleeding, jaundice, severe pain, or unintended weight loss.

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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.