| Gastrointestinal Disorders |
- Abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting
- Symptoms due to gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastroenteritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
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- Upper endoscopy for gastritis or ulcers
- Stool tests for infection (e.g., gastroenteritis)
- Abdominal USS or CT scan for IBD or Malignancy
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- Treat underlying condition (e.g., antibiotics for infections, PPI for ulcers/GORD)
- Hydration and electrolyte balance for gastroenteritis
- Nutritional support in severe IBD
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| Infections |
- Fever, malaise, systemic symptoms (e.g., viral or bacterial infections such as influenza, tuberculosis, or hepatitis)
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- FBC: elevated white blood cells (WBC) indicating infection
- Blood cultures, viral serology, or specific pathogen tests
- Chest X-ray or sputum test for tuberculosis
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- Antibiotics or antivirals for the specific infection
- Supportive care: hydration, antipyretics for fever
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| Psychological Disorders |
- Depression, anxiety, stress, or eating disorders like anorexia nervosa
- Symptoms may include low mood, insomnia, weight loss, or extreme dieting
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- Psychological evaluation
- Screening tools for depression (e.g., PHQ-9) or eating disorders
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- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or counseling
- Medications: SSRIs for depression or anxiety
- Nutritionist referral for eating disorders
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| Medications |
- Loss of appetite as a side effect of medications such as antibiotics, iron tablets, chemotherapy, opioids, metformin or stimulants
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- Review medication history
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- Consider switching/stopping or adjusting medications
- Symptomatic treatment for nausea or vomiting
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| Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders |
- Fatigue, weight loss, changes in appetite, and symptoms of the underlying metabolic disorder (e.g., hypothyroidism, diabetes, adrenal insufficiency)
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- TFTs, Blood glucose or HbA1c
- Cortisol levels (for adrenal insufficiency)
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- Treat e.g., thyroxine for hypothyroidism, medications/insulin for diabetes
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| Malignancy |
- Weight loss, fatigue, persistent loss of appetite, and other cancer-specific symptoms (e.g., abdominal mass, night sweats). Renal cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, lymphomas etc.
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- CBC, tumour markers
- CT or MRI imaging to locate tumours
- Biopsy for definitive diagnosis
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- Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgical intervention depending on the type and stage of cancer
- Appetite stimulants (e.g., megestrol acetate)
- Palliative care for advanced cancer
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| Chronic Conditions |
- Chronic liver disease, chronic kidney disease, heart failure
- Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and edema
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- Blood tests (renal function, liver function tests)
- Imaging (ultrasound, CT scan)
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- Treat underlying condition (e.g., diuretics for heart failure, dialysis for kidney disease)
- Nutrition support and electrolyte management
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| Neurological Conditions |
- Stroke, dementia, or Parkinson’s disease affecting the brain's hunger centers
- May present with cognitive decline, difficulty swallowing, or reduced food intake
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- Neurological examination
- CT or MRI to assess brain structure
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- Supportive care (e.g., feeding assistance, nutritionist consultation)
- Management of the underlying neurological disorder
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