Loss of appetite is a common symptom associated with gastritis. Gastritis is the medical term used for an infection in the lining of the stomach and is sometimes used to describe an upset stomach. If you develop the common symptoms of gastritis and you lose your desire to eat, call your doctor for further evaluation. Various conditions can cause you to lose your appetite, such as the stomach flu and food poisoning. A clinical diagnosis is needed for proper treatment.
Gastritis
Gastritis occurs when the lining of your stomach becomes inflamed. Your stomach lining contains specific cells that create enzymes and acid to digest the food you eat. The stomach is also lined with mucous membranes that protect the soft tissue from encountering the stomach acid. When the lining of your stomach becomes inflamed, it can wear away the lining of the stomach and lead to ulcers, bleeding and erosions. This can cause severe pain and discomfort. Gastritis may be acute, which means an isolated instance, or it may be chronic, which means it lasts a long time.
Loss of Appetite and Other Symptoms
The inflammation in the stomach causes you to lose your appetite. You not only don't feel hungry, but you lose your desire for food altogether. Symptoms that accompany loss of appetite with gastritis include vomiting, nausea, pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea, black stools, blood in your vomit and red blood in your stool. If the gastritis is acute, your doctor may recommend not eating any food for a day or two, until your symptoms improve.
Diet
Once you're able to keep food and liquids down, you should eat a modified diet that will be easy on your digestive system and promote solid, regular stools. Eat foods that are bulk-forming and low in fiber. The following foods will help develop normal stools: white rice, potatoes, banana, apple sauce, plain low-fat yogurt, toast, cooked carrots, crackers, fish and skinless chicken. Increase the amount of fluids you are drinking, because gastritis symptoms may lead to dehydration.
Considerations
If you are unable to keep any food or drink in your stomach for more than 24 hours, you need to call your doctor immediately. If you become dehydrated, you may need to be hospitalized to prevent further complications. When you begin eating and drinking again, start with sips of a clear beverage, such as fruit juice, and small bites of bland foods. Overeating or drinking too fast can cause your stomach to become upset.
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