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SamaritanNJ.org 9SYMPTOMS, CONDITIONS, AND TREATMENTS WHICH DECREASE APPETITE%u2022 Nausea and vomiting.%u2022 Constipation.%u2022 Bowel tumors and/or obstruction.%u2022 Liver and pancreatic cancer.%u2022 Pain.%u2022 Weakness and fatigue.%u2022 Medications, narcotic and non-narcotic.%u2022 Chemotherapy/radiation.%u2022 Bleeding gums and/or dental problems.FOOD SUGGESTIONS AND HELPFUL HINTS%u2022 Offer small, frequent meals throughout the day rather than maintaining a three-meal-a-day routine.%u2022 Serve small portions so that your loved one does not feel overwhelmed or have a sense of failure because he/she cannot clean his/her plate.%u2022 Alter the times of meals to when your loved one is pain-free and has the most energy, i.e., morning, mid-afternoon, and after pain medication.%u2022 Blenderize family meals for loved ones who have a hard time swallowing.%u2022 Do not force food at any time. This can develop into a struggle where the family may feel rejected and the patient feels ungrateful or guilty.%u2022 Look for signs that your loved one does not want to eat. These may include coughing, biting the spoon, clamping teeth closed, turning the head, and spitting out food.We hope this information will be helpful in caring for your family member. Your doctor may recommend a specific diet, which should be followed if possible. Please do not hesitate to ask your Samaritan team for additional explanation or to answer any questions you may have.