Loss of appetite and bruising can occur for a variety of reasons. Certain medications, such as aspirin and nonsteroid anti-inflammatory medicines, can cause you to lose your appetite and bruise easily. Some medical conditions, such as cirrhosis of the liver and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, can cause a decreased appetite and make it easier for bruising to occur. If you experience these symptoms, report them to your doctor immediately.
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis of the liver typically occurs due to chronic injury, such as alcoholism or obesity. Cirrhosis causes your liver to slowly deteriorate and malfunction. As the disease progresses, scarring of the liver will begin to occur. This scarring will eventually replace healthy liver tissue, and it will partially block blood flow to the liver. Symptoms of cirrhosis include loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, weakness and abdominal bloating. There are a number of complications associated with cirrhosis of liver, such as edema, bruising, bleeding, portal hypertension, gallstones and jaundice. Treatment depends upon the cause, but the most common types of treatment include lifestyle changes, such as avoiding alcohol and improving your diet and nutrition, corticosteroids, antiviral drugs and other medications that help treat abdominal pain and itching.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or CLL, causes a slow elevation in white blood cells, which are also called B lymphocytes or B cells. These cancerous cells spread from your blood marrow to your blood; this can affect other vital organs such as your spleen or liver. Eventually, CLL does cause your bone marrow to fail. The exact cause of CLL is unknown, according to MedlinePlus, but seems to mostly affect older adults around the age of 70. Symptoms typically develop at a slow pace and include abnormal bruising, loss of appetite, fever, recurring infection, excessive sweating and fatigue. Usually, no treatment is given during the early stages of CLL, but treatment may be started if your symptoms become problematic or difficult to treat. Chemotherapy is normally the course of treatment for CLL, but in rare cases, radiation may be required for enlarged lymph nodes.
Aspirin
Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, can cause loss of appetite and increase your chances of bruising. Aspirin and NSAIDs are typically used to help treat minor aches and pains associated with menstrual cramps, arthritis, headache and other similar conditions. These types of medications may cause bruising, loss of appetite, stomach pain, heartburn, nausea and upset stomach. These side effects usually subside on their own, but if they worsen or become problematic, report them to your doctor right away.
Other Medications
Some medications, such as Zoloft, used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and social anxiety disorder, can cause loss of appetite and bruising. You may also experience other side effects such as severe mood changes, sweating, tightness in the chest, red or irritated eyes, skin lesions and sores, blisters or welting of the skin. You may notice that these side effects will subside as you continue treatment, according to Drugs.com, and allow your body to adjust to the medication. It may be necessary to discontinue treatment or switch to a different medication or dosage to lessen these side effects.
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