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Warning-sign checks

Decreased appetite: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency help if decreased appetite occurs with:

    • Severe chest or abdominal pain
    • Serious trouble breathing
    • Fainting, new confusion, or difficulty waking
    • Vomiting blood or passing black, tar-like stool
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Arrange same-day medical care if you cannot keep fluids down, pass very little urine, have a very dry mouth with dizziness, or show other signs of significant dehydration.

    Also seek same-day advice for worsening weakness, repeated vomiting, or severe pain.

    Seek care sooner for difficulty swallowing, ongoing vomiting or diarrhoea, persistent fever, yellow skin or eyes, marked fatigue, or continuing low mood.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Book a routine appointment if the change lasts more than about a week, keeps returning, or causes unplanned weight loss.

The article also says

Children, frail older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with diabetes or another condition affected by food intake may need earlier advice.

If you use insulin or another medicine that lowers blood sugar, follow your sick-day or low-blood-sugar plan and seek help if you cannot eat safely.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Decreased appetite. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.