Im hungry but when i eat i feel sick

Gastroparesis is a long-term (chronic) condition where the stomach cannot empty in the normal way. Food passes through the stomach slower than usual.

It's thought to be the result of a problem with the nerves and muscles that control how the stomach empties.

If these nerves are damaged, the muscles of your stomach may not work properly and the movement of food can slow down.

To diagnose gastroparesis, a GP will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and may arrange a blood test for you.

You may be referred to hospital to have some of the following tests:

  • barium X-ray – where you swallow a liquid containing the chemical barium, which can be seen on an X-ray and highlights how the liquid is passing through your digestive system
  • gastric emptying scan – you eat a food (often eggs) containing a very small amount of a radioactive substance that can be seen on the scan. Gastroparesis is diagnosed if more than 10% of the food is still in your stomach 4 hours after eating
  • wireless capsule test – you swallow a small, electronic device which sends information about how fast it is moving through your digestive tract to a recording device
  • endoscopy – a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) is passed down your throat and into your stomach to examine the stomach lining and rule out other possible causes

Gastroparesis cannot usually be cured, but dietary changes and medical treatment can help you control the condition.

Dietary changes

You may find these tips helpful:

  • instead of 3 meals a day, try smaller, more frequent meals – this means there's less food in your stomach and it will be easier to pass through your system
  • try soft and liquid foods – these are easier to digest
  • chew food well before swallowing
  • drink non-fizzy liquids with each meal

It may also help to avoid certain foods that are hard to digest, such as apples with their skin on or high-fibre foods like oranges and broccoli, plus foods that are high in fat, which can also slow down digestion.

Medicines

The following medicines may be prescribed to help improve your symptoms:

  • domperidone – which is taken before eating to contract your stomach muscles and help move food along
  • erythromycin – an antibiotic that also helps contract the stomach and may help move food along
  • anti-emetics – medicines that can help to stop you from feeling or being sick

However, the evidence that these medicines relieve the symptoms of gastroparesis is relatively limited and they can cause side effects. Your doctor should discuss the potential risks and benefits with you.

Domperidone should only be taken at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time because of the small risk of potentially serious heart-related side effects.

Electrical stimulation

If dietary changes and medicine do not help your symptoms, a relatively new treatment called gastroelectrical stimulation may be recommended. However, this is currently not routinely funded by many NHS authorities.

Gastroelectrical stimulation involves surgically implanting a battery-operated device under the skin of your tummy.

Two leads attached to this device are fixed to the muscles of your lower stomach. They send electrical impulses to help stimulate the muscles involved in controlling the passage of food through your stomach. The device is turned on using a handheld external control.

The effectiveness of this treatment can vary considerably. Not everyone will respond to it, and for many people who do respond, the effect will largely wear off within 12 months. This means electrical stimulation is not suitable for everyone with gastroparesis.

There's also a small chance of this procedure leading to complications that would require removing the device, such as:

  • infection
  • the device dislodging and moving
  • a hole forming in your stomach wall

Speak to your surgeon about the possible risks. You can also read the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on gastroelectrical stimulation for gastroparesis.

Botulinum toxin injections

More severe cases of gastroparesis may occasionally be treated by injecting botulinum toxin into the valve between your stomach and small intestine.

This relaxes the valve and keeps it open for a longer period of time so food can pass through.

The injection is given through a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) which is passed down your throat and into your stomach.

This is a fairly new treatment and some studies have found it may not be very effective, so it's not recommended by all doctors.

A feeding tube

If you have extremely severe gastroparesis that is not improved with dietary changes or medicine, a feeding tube may be recommended.

Many different types of temporary and permanent feeding tube are available.

A temporary feeding tube, called a nasojejunal tube, may be offered to you first. This is inserted into your digestive tract through your nose and delivers nutrients directly into your small intestine.

A feeding tube can also be inserted into your bowel through a cut (incision) made in your tummy. This is known as a jejunostomy.

Liquid food can be delivered through the tube, which goes straight to your bowel to be absorbed, bypassing your stomach.

Speak to your doctor about the risks and benefits of each type of feeding tube.

An alternative feeding method for severe gastroparesis is intravenous (parenteral) nutrition. This is where liquid nutrients are delivered into your bloodstream through a catheter inserted into a large vein.

Surgery

Some people may benefit from having an operation to insert a tube into the stomach through the tummy (abdomen). This tube can be periodically opened to release gas and relieve bloating.

A surgical procedure may be recommended as a last resort to either:

  • create a new opening between your stomach and small intestine (gastroenterostomy)
  • connect your stomach directly to the second part of your small intestine, called the jejunum (gastrojejunostomy)

These operations may reduce your symptoms by allowing food to move through your stomach more easily.

Your doctor can explain whether any procedures are suitable for you, and can discuss the possible risks involved.

Having gastroparesis means your food is being digested slowly and at unpredictable times. If you also have diabetes, this can have a big effect on your blood sugar levels.

The nerves to the stomach can be damaged by high levels of blood glucose, so it's important to keep your blood glucose levels under control if you have diabetes.

Your doctor can advise you about any changes you may need to make to your diet or medicine. For example, if you're taking insulin, you may need to divide your dose before and after meals and inject insulin into areas where absorption is typically slower, such as into your thigh.

You'll also need to check your blood glucose levels frequently after you eat.

Page last reviewed: 14 October 2019
Next review due: 14 October 2022

Many people struggle with lack or loss of appetite but still want to eat. The symptoms of feeling this way without an appetite can vary in intensity and duration, occasionally lasting for only a few moments or sometimes spanning longer, more problematic stretches of time and feeling sick. In the latter case, loss of appetite and still being hungry for long periods can lead to physical, emotional, and mental health issues. It's important to explore potential causes of appetite loss and effects so you can learn how to sustain a healthy lifestyle and take good care of yourself. Seeking help from an online therapist is a great place to start.

Im hungry but when i eat i feel sick

While some of its most recognized symptoms are linked to mood or emotions, anxiety can also manifest as physical symptoms. These include sweating, rapid heart rate, sleep abnormalities, and appetite loss. Anxiety disorders can also cause gastric distress that results in a myriad of digestive issues, including nausea and diarrhea.

If appetite loss behaviors and physical effects are short-lived, then you may not need to worry about them. However, if they persist, malnutrition, dehydration and an increased risk of death become very real concerns. Finding ways to cope with or reduce anxiety can possibly help you to retrieve your appetite, and help with symptoms of anxiety.

Im hungry but when i eat i feel sick

There is a reason for this feeling. Below, you'll find some of the most common reasons for this problem.

1. Anorexia nervosa - Medically speaking, loss of appetite is regarded as anorexia, regardless of the reason behind it. What has become common, however, is for people to use the term anorexia when they exclusively mean the eating disorder called anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is caused by a distorted body image in which the affected person sees themselves as overweight even when, in fact, they may be grossly underweight.

2. Dehydration - Being dehydrated is more than being thirsty. The need for water/fluids can lead to headaches, nausea, tiredness, confusion, and a lack of appetite, but still hungry. Some people may notice these symptoms during the summer months. When we lose more water through sweat, our body needs food though we haven't an appetite, which keeps us from eating as regularly as we should.

3. Short-term stress - Sometimes, during particularly stressful periods of your life, you might lose your appetite, or you might experience the opposite and find yourself binge eating. Stressful situations prompt your body to release a mixture of hormones, including adrenaline. This triggers your fight-or-flight response, in which your body raises your heart rate, increases breathing, and sends blood to your muscles. It also slows down digestion because it's not immediately important for survival. If exposed to stress for extended time periods, your body may be at risk for developing emotional and physical complications that threaten your wellbeing.

4. Depression - We all feel sad at times. Depression , or prolonged and severe sadness, can lead to a persistent "hungry but lack of appetite" feeling. Depression is a serious illness, so if you are also constantly feeling low, you should speak with your doctor as soon as possible. It is worth pointing out that, in the case of depression, individuals may also experience the opposite--increased cravings and weight gain.

5. Viral infection - Getting sick with a bout of the cold or flu can leave you hungry but without appetite. A stuffy nose caused by a cold, for example, decreases your sense of smell and can make food seem less appealing to you.

6. Pregnancy - We tend to associate cravings with pregnancy. However, many pregnant women don't have as much of an appetite but still feel hungry, especially during their first trimester. The culprit is nausea or morning sickness (so-called because it's most prevalent in the morning, though in reality it can occur at any time).

7. Age - Several factors can lead to this feeling as we age. This is called anorexia of aging, and its causes include slowed digestion, less acute senses of smell and taste, dental health issues, and hormonal changes. Be sure to contact a healthcare provider who specializes in geriatric medicine if an elderly person seems to lose appetite.

8. Medication - One of the first things you should do is review any medications you might be taking. Some medications may cause a decrease in appetite. These include medications for migraines, depression, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), some cancers, Parkinson's disease, and high blood pressure.

9. Cancer - People who undergo radiation therapy and chemotherapy for cancer may find that they are left with without an appetite at a time when nutrition is of the utmost importance. That's because cancer therapies can leave you feeling nauseous and sick, or even affect how foods smell and taste to you. Depending on the type of cancer, some people also experience slower metabolism, a false sense of fullness, dry mouth, and a host of other conditions which can cause them to lose an appetite.

10. Anemia - Your red blood cells carry oxygen around your body, and they're used in the process of respiration, turning your food into energy to support other body processes. Anemia, a condition where you have a low count of healthy red blood cells, can leave you feeling weak, tired, and lose appetite. It can be combated with a diet rich in iron and vitamin B12 or by taking supplements which contain them.

Im hungry but when i eat i feel sick

Im hungry but when i eat i feel sick

Im hungry but when i eat i feel sick

Seek professional help through therapy or counseling.

Im hungry but when i eat i feel sick

Eat frequent small portions and diversify your nutrition options with healthy snacks even when you don't have an appetite.

Im hungry but when i eat i feel sick

Limit fluids during meals, as they can make you feel full before you've consumed sufficient food calories.

Im hungry but when i eat i feel sick

Include foods of various colors and textures to make your meals more appealing, and therefore might increase chances that you are hungry.

Im hungry but when i eat i feel sick

Exercise or take part in other productive forms of physical activity.

Im hungry but when i eat i feel sick

Talk to your healthcare provider about using multivitamins or liquid supplements to get the nutrients you need.

Im hungry but when i eat i feel sick

Seek professional help through therapy or counseling.

Im hungry but when i eat i feel sick

You may not realize that underlying issues, such as situations causing stress or anxiety, may be contributing to this feeling. You can discuss your concerns with a counselor who understands your needs and wants, and has the expertise to help you accomplish healthier daily habits. Learn how others have been helped by online support by reading the following reviews of BetterHelp counselors, from people experiencing similar issues.

Im hungry but when i eat i feel sick

Im hungry but when i eat i feel sick

"Ingrid has been incredible! She is so supportive and encouraging of my healthy behaviors and really helps me problem solve when I have a particular problem. I never feel judged, it's always a safe space to talk about how I'm feeling. Thanks, Ingrid, it's fantastic to have the extra support I need right now."

Im hungry but when i eat i feel sick

There are plenty of reasons why you may experience hunger without having an appetite, and proper nutrition is important when dealing with issues affecting your wellbeing. You do not have to struggle when there are productive ways to get your appetite back. Take the first step today.

Im hungry but when i eat i feel sick