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.
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.
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.
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.
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.