Anorexia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Anorexia?
The right doctor depends on the cause, but a primary care doctor is usually the first stop. They may send you to a gastroenterologist (a digestive system doctor), an endocrinologist (a hormone doctor), or a mental health professional. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is anorexia?
Anorexia means you do not feel hungry. Your wish to eat is low. "Anorexia" is the medical word for a loss of appetite.
A loss of appetite is not the same thing as the eating disorder called anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is serious and can be life threatening. Here the word just means not feeling hungry.
Any illness can lower your appetite. If the illness can be treated, hunger should come back once you are well. A low appetite can cause weight loss.
Symptoms
The main sign is not wanting to eat. Other common signs are:
- Losing weight without trying.
Older adults often lose appetite. In them, doctors often find no body-based cause at all. A long-lasting loss of appetite can cause weight loss. If it is severe, malnutrition can develop. That means the body does not get the food it needs.
Causes and who gets it
Many things can lower the appetite. Sadness, depression, or grief can all play a part. Cancer can too. Colon, ovarian, stomach, and pancreatic cancers may cause you to lose your appetite.
Other causes include long-term liver or kidney disease, COPD (a long-term lung disease), dementia, heart failure, hepatitis (liver inflammation), HIV, and a low thyroid (hypothyroidism). Early pregnancy can also lower appetite.
Some medicines lower hunger too. These include antibiotics, chemotherapy medicines, codeine, and morphine. Street drugs such as speed, cocaine, and heroin can do the same.
How doctors diagnose it
Your provider will do a physical exam and check your height and weight. You will be asked about your diet and health. Questions may cover how bad the problem is, how much weight you lost, and whether it began after an upsetting event, such as a death in the family.
Tests may include an x-ray or ultrasound. These are painless pictures of the inside of the body. Blood and urine tests may also be done.
Treatment
If an illness is treatable, the appetite should return when the condition is cured.
People with cancer or a long illness that causes weight loss need more protein and calories. Small meals and snacks during the day can help. So can liquid protein drinks. Family members can offer favorite foods to wake up the appetite.
If a medicine is the cause, ask your provider about the dose or a new medicine. Do not stop any medicine on your own. With severe malnutrition, food may be given through a vein. This needs a hospital stay. You may also see a dietitian, an expert in food and nutrition.
When to see a doctor
Call your provider if you lose more than 10 pounds, about 4.5 kilograms, without trying. Also get help if low hunger comes with signs of depression, drug or alcohol use, or an eating disorder.
A long-lasting loss of appetite can lead to serious weight loss, so do not wait to get help. Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away for fainting, chest pain, trouble breathing, vomiting blood, confusion, or severe belly pain. If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) right away.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can check your appetite loss and weight, order basic tests, and follow your progress. They can also set up visits with specialists if the cause is hard to find.
Common questions
Is anorexia the same as anorexia nervosa?
No. Anorexia is the medical term for a loss of appetite. Anorexia nervosa is a different condition, an eating disorder with an intense fear of weight gain.
Can sadness really make me stop eating?
Yes. Emotions such as sadness, depression, or grief can lead to a loss of appetite. A doctor should check poor appetite that comes with signs of depression.
Should I stop my medicine if it hurts my appetite?
No. Do not stop taking any medicine without first talking to your provider. Ask about changing the dosage or trying a different medicine.
When is appetite loss an emergency?
Appetite loss is an emergency when it comes with fainting, chest pain, trouble breathing, vomiting blood, confusion, or severe belly pain. Call 911 for those signs. For thoughts of self-harm, call or text 988. Losing more than 10 pounds without trying is a reason to call your provider.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
