Are you experiencing Unexplained Weight Loss? Here is why

Do you still lose weight without making any dietary or exercise changes? Unexpected weight loss is a significant decline in body weight that happens despite a person's lack of weight loss intent. Weight loss that is unexplained can happen to anyone. However, those above the age of 65 are the ones who experience it most frequently (and severely). 

Unexpected weight loss may be a sign of a dangerous condition, such as diabetes or cancer. This is why it's crucial to get medical help if you (or a family member) experience weight loss that can't be accounted for.   

Why does unexplained Weight Loss happen? 

There are a variety of moderate to highly significant illnesses that might contribute to unexplained weight loss. Some of the causes are:

Overactive Thyroid

Losing weight is a typical sign of hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid. This indicates that your thyroid, which aids in controlling your metabolism and growth, is secreting too many hormones, causing a variety of physical abnormalities.  

Not eating enough?

The stomach empties more slowly as we age, making us feel fuller for longer. Additionally, some of the brain impulses that regulate hunger and fullness weaken. All of these factors may cause older persons to eat less, lose weight, and acquire insufficient nutrition to meet their body's demands. But it is necessary to eat adequate protein to assist your body in carrying out important physical tasks, including suppressing hunger, maintaining blood sugar, and increasing muscle mass.

Celiac Disease

Gluten consumption damages the small intestine in people who have celiac disease, an autoimmune condition. This can result in weight loss and is frequently accompanied by other gastrointestinal symptoms, including bloating and diarrhea. Due to malabsorption, inflammatory bowel conditions like Crohn's disease can also cause unexplained weight loss. 

Depression

Weight fluctuations can occur to some extent as a result of stress or depression. If you don't realise that your mood fluctuations are something more severe, loss of appetite, which is a frequent side effect of clinical depression, can lead to unexplained weight loss.

Pancreatitis

Unexpected weight loss may be caused by issues with your pancreas, which makes digestive enzymes. People who suffer from chronic pancreatitis, a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed, frequently experience rapid weight loss because their bodies are unable to create enough enzymes to properly digest meals.

Diabetes

Weight loss may occur if diabetes develops suddenly, especially in the beginning. There may be a strong urge to urinate regularly and to drink a lot of water. Diabetes also impairs your body's ability to absorb nutrients from your muscles, which adds to sudden weight loss.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

An individual's appetite can be severely affected by inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, a condition in which your immune system unintentionally targets your healthy tissues. These ailments can contribute to intestinal inflammation, which can interfere with nutrient absorption and cause unexplained weight loss prior to diagnosis. 

Cancer

Numerous cancers, in addition to tumours or ulcers in the stomach or intestines, can result in malabsorption problems or inflammation that may induce weight loss. 

Addison’s Disease

Addison's illness can result in endocrine-related weight loss that manifests as thirst, salt cravings, and weakness. This could affect your metabolism because your adrenal glands aren't working properly. Dehydration, exhaustion, and loss of appetite brought on by nausea or gastrointestinal pain can all cause weight loss.

Heart Condition

Advanced heart failure sufferers frequently lose muscle mass, which might cause them to lose weight. You are burning more calories than usual as a result of the heart having to work so hard to keep up with your demands. Weight loss may also result from other heart problems such endocarditis, heart disease, or pulmonary illness. 

Parasite

You may find that worms or parasites infection use all of your calories when you are eating normally, causing surprising weight loss.

How to Treat Unintentional Weight Loss? 

The course of treatment for unintended weight loss depends on the underlying cause. Your general practitioner (GP) will inquire about your health and might schedule any exams or scans. Depending on the potential cause, they might give you advice on how to help, such as stress-reduction techniques, suggest a course of therapy for any condition that's making you lose weight, or send you to a specialist. 

Let’s have a look at what our doctor’s have to say:

Cancer Symptoms You Should Not Ignore | Yashoda Cancer Institute

Arthritis : Conditions, Causes and Treatment | Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad

Diabetes: Treatment & Management | Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad

When to see a doctor?

Consult your healthcare practitioner if you're losing weight without attempting to do so and you're worried about it. Even a little drop in weight could be important if you're an older adult with additional medical disorders and health problems. In an effort to identify what is causing the weight loss, your healthcare professional may ask about changes in your food, appetite, sense of taste, and sense of smell.

Get a free expert second opinion from Yashoda Hospitals and make the best decision possible before undergoing surgery.

Share your thoughts in the comments section below, and let us know what you'd like to see in our next week's newsletters.