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What are the Most Common Causes of Nausea and Loss of Appetite?

Felicia Dye
Felicia Dye

If a woman experiences nausea and loss of appetite, she may be pregnant. These are common symptoms, however, that can indicate a number of conditions such as a digestive disorder or the flu. These symptoms can also be induced by over consumption, such as drinking too much alcohol or coffee.

If a sexually active female begins to suffer from nausea and loss of appetite, she should abstain from any risky and strenuous activities until she can take a pregnancy test. These two symptoms are often among the first indicators to signal pregnancy. She should also be observant of other indicators such as a missed period, fatigue, and lightheadedness.

There are numerous reasons a person may experience nausea and a loss of appetite.
There are numerous reasons a person may experience nausea and a loss of appetite.

During flu season, these two symptoms may indicate that someone has contracted a viral infection. Other symptoms, such as body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue are likely to appear within a short time. Depending on the strain of the virus and the severity of the infection, this could last for several days or several weeks.

Nausea and loss of appetite may also be signals of a digestive disorder. These are conditions where the body is not properly breaking down and processing food. Since this is the case, a person who is suffering from such a condition may notice that her symptoms, especially the nausea, become worse after she begins eating. If she vomits after attempting to eat, this can be considered a third symptom of a digestive disorder.

People suffering from a migraine commonly lose their appetite.
People suffering from a migraine commonly lose their appetite.

Psychological and emotional health problems can induce these symptoms. Anorexia nervosa, a mental health condition characterized by distorted self image and the obsession of controlling it through starvation, may be indicated. Stress is another condition that can affect normal body functions, such as a person’s desire to eat or how she feels when she considers consuming food or beverages.

The stomach flu can cause nausea and loss of appetite, which could subsquently lead to weight loss.
The stomach flu can cause nausea and loss of appetite, which could subsquently lead to weight loss.

Drinking an excessive amount of alcohol can lead to nausea and loss of appetite as well. These symptoms may be especially noticeable the morning after a person drinks or following a binge. Although these symptoms are likely to subside with time, if a person is a heavy drinker and the problems continue, there is a risk that she may have a liver disease, such as alcoholic hepatitis, which can progress into a severe condition.

People are likely to feel nauseous the morning after drinking a lot of alcohol.
People are likely to feel nauseous the morning after drinking a lot of alcohol.

Excessive consumption of caffeine can also cause nausea. A person who has consumed a large amount of beverages such as coffee or tea and who experiences these symptoms should be aware of accompanying signs such as difficulty concentrating, irritability, and shaking. If this is the cause of the problem, once the body eliminates some of the caffeine, the person should begin to feel better.

Discussion Comments

fBoyle

I have nausea and loss of appetite when I'm stressed and anxious. My parents have even taken me to the hospital several times thinking I have food poisoning. But it's always psychological.

This usually happens when I have tests at school. I get really worried and then I become sick to the stomach. I always lose weight during exam time because I never feel like eating.

I hope all of this goes away when I get older.

SteamLouis

@burcidi-- Coffee can cause heartburn and nausea because it's an acidic drink. If you have too much and if you have it on an empty stomach, it will cause a lot of acid production in your stomach. It's the acidity that causes nausea and heartburn.

Not just coffee, but most caffeinated drinks like tea and soda can also have this effect.

The thing in coffee that suppresses appetite is also caffeine. So caffeine is a good and bad thing at the same time.

burcidi

Why does coffee cause nausea? I know that it can cause a lack of appetite, that's one of the reasons I like to drink it. But the other day, I had too much coffee and felt very nauseated.

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    • There are numerous reasons a person may experience nausea and a loss of appetite.
      By: Alliance
      There are numerous reasons a person may experience nausea and a loss of appetite.
    • People suffering from a migraine commonly lose their appetite.
      By: gpointstudio
      People suffering from a migraine commonly lose their appetite.
    • The stomach flu can cause nausea and loss of appetite, which could subsquently lead to weight loss.
      By: bruno135_406
      The stomach flu can cause nausea and loss of appetite, which could subsquently lead to weight loss.
    • People are likely to feel nauseous the morning after drinking a lot of alcohol.
      By: BlueSkyImages
      People are likely to feel nauseous the morning after drinking a lot of alcohol.
    • There are numerous reasons a person might experience a loss of appetite, such as depression or anxiety.
      By: Monkey Business
      There are numerous reasons a person might experience a loss of appetite, such as depression or anxiety.
    • A loss of appetite could be caused by stress.
      By: Ermolaev Alexandr
      A loss of appetite could be caused by stress.
    • Excessive consumption of caffeine can cause nausea.
      By: Deyan Georgiev
      Excessive consumption of caffeine can cause nausea.
    • Coffee drinkers who experience nausea may want to decrease their intake.
      By: volff
      Coffee drinkers who experience nausea may want to decrease their intake.