Nausea, tiredness and loss of appetite: what to know

Nausea is the feeling that you may vomit; it can make food less appealing, while poor intake can add to tiredness. A stomach or bowel infection may bring nausea, reduced appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, cramps or fever. Influenza and COVID-19 can also include fatigue, nausea or appetite changes alongside respiratory or general symptoms.

Irritation or inflammation in the stomach, such as gastritis or a peptic ulcer, may cause nausea, upper-abdominal discomfort and reduced appetite. Hepatitis A can cause marked tiredness, nausea and appetite loss, sometimes with dark urine or yellowing of the skin or eyes. Depression and some medicines can affect appetite and energy as well. These symptoms alone do not identify one specific condition.

Take small, frequent sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. If food is manageable, choose small portions of bland, easy-to-digest foods and add more as your appetite returns. Avoid alcohol and foods that clearly worsen nausea. Rest, wash your hands carefully, and limit close contact if fever, cough, vomiting or diarrhoea suggests an infection.

Keep a note of when the symptoms began, what you can drink and eat, any vomiting or bowel changes, fever, pain, recent travel, new medicines and possible sick contacts. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without professional advice; a pharmacist or clinician can check whether it may be contributing.

Seek urgent medical help for severe or worsening abdominal pain, confusion, fainting, trouble breathing, blood in vomit or stool, black stools, repeated vomiting, or signs of dehydration such as very little urine, a very dry mouth or inability to keep fluids down. Yellow skin or eyes, severe weakness or a high fever also warrants prompt assessment.

Arrange a clinical review if the symptoms are not settling, keep returning, or are causing unintentional weight loss or difficulty maintaining food and fluids. People who are pregnant, older, immunocompromised, or managing conditions such as diabetes should ask for advice earlier.

Ask what may be causing the symptoms, whether you need an examination or tests, which fluids and foods are suitable, and whether any medicine or supplement could be affecting your appetite. Tell the clinician about pain location, fever, bowel changes, urine or skin colour, recent travel, pregnancy possibility and any ongoing medical conditions.