What does unexplained weight loss feel like with stomach cancer?

You may feel full sooner than expected, lose interest in food, or find that meals cause discomfort, bloating, nausea, or indigestion. Vomiting, upper-abdominal discomfort, tiredness, and clothes fitting more loosely can accompany the change. Some people notice that eating less is a response to symptoms rather than a deliberate diet change. These signs can occur with ulcers, reflux, infection, medicines, and other problems as well as cancer.

Keep track of appetite, meal size, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, bowel colour, and energy. Mention whether symptoms are linked to particular foods or are present most of the time.

Contact a clinician about persistent unplanned weight loss, ongoing indigestion, or repeated vomiting. Describe how quickly eating changed and whether you are avoiding food because of discomfort. Your clinician may review medicines, examine your abdomen, and decide whether tests are needed. Until reviewed, smaller meals may be easier than large portions; choose foods you tolerate and keep fluids available.

Seek urgent care for vomiting blood, black or tar-like stools, severe or sudden abdominal pain, fainting, confusion, inability to keep fluids down, or marked weakness. Arrange prompt medical contact if vomiting continues, swallowing becomes difficult, or weight loss is accelerating.

Ask what might be affecting appetite or digestion, whether medicines could contribute, which tests may be useful, and how to maintain food and fluid intake. Ask which stool, vomiting, or pain changes should be reported urgently.