When you are on a weight loss journey, it involves a lot of effort, so every inch and kilo shedding must be celebrated. , If you are experiencing a series of worrisome symptoms, you should investigate the reasons behind them as they may indicate an illness that can compromise your physical or mental health. Losing more than 5% of your body weight over a period of 6-12 months, especially without exercise or diet, is cause for concern and may indicate a problem, according to the mayoclinic. . Experts say unintended weight loss, which happens when you lose weight without changing your diet and exercise habits, could indicate stress or a serious illness. and Easy Weight Loss Tips for Women)
Unexplained Weight Loss: Why It Matters
“Although typical weight loss is due to lifestyle changes, unexplained weight loss or involuntary weight loss despite decreased caloric intake or increased physical activity is a concern. This is why unexplained weight loss should be taken seriously,” says Deepti Hatuja, chief clinical dietitian at the Fortis Memorial Institute in Gurgaon.
“Patients often present to the hospital with symptoms of weight loss. Weight loss can occur in patients with normal or decreased appetite.
when to see a doctor
A good rule of thumb is to see your doctor if you lose a significant amount of body weight by 5% or more within 6-12 months. There are many medical conditions that cause sudden and unexplained weight loss,” said Dr. Hyacinth Peninna Paljo, Senior Consultant, Department of Internal Medicine, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad.
Common Reasons for Unexpected Weight Loss
Some common reasons for unintended weight loss are:
1. Diabetes: One of the main causes of unwanted weight loss is type 1 diabetes (juvenile diabetes), but type 2 can also occur. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Without insulin, the body cannot use glucose for energy. This causes your blood sugar to rise. Our kidneys remove unused glucose through urine. According to Deepti Khatuja, when sugar is excreted from the body, so are calories.
“Related symptoms are frequent urination, dehydration, fatigue, blurred vision, excessive thirst, and excessive hunger. Treatment for type 1 diabetes includes insulin, blood sugar monitoring, diet, and exercise.” says Dr. Paljor.
2. Cancer: Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells divide and spread rapidly. According to the American Cancer Society, one of the first signs may be that he’s lost 10 pounds or more for unknown reasons.
“It’s common in cancers of the pancreas, lung, stomach, and esophagus. Cancer increases inflammation, which accelerates muscle wasting and disrupts appetite-regulating hormones. Tumors.” Larger s can lead to increased resting energy expenditure (REE), or energy content.Cancer cachexia is a debilitating syndrome associated with many cancers. lung, head and neck, and colorectal cancers.
“Early symptoms may include fever, fatigue, bleeding from any part, mole changes, breast lumps, hoarseness, or no symptoms other than weight loss. Treatment includes: It depends on the type of cancer, and it may involve surgery: radiation, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy,” says Dr. Pargeaux.
3. Tuberculosis: Another cause of unexplained weight loss is tuberculosis (TB), an infectious disease that usually affects the lungs, says Khatuja.
“It is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Weight loss and loss of appetite are some of the common symptoms of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis can develop in different organs, such as abdominal tuberculosis, and unexpected weight loss can lead to It’s very common,” adds the Fortis expert.
Tuberculosis is life-threatening and requires timely intervention. Some people have been detected with tuberculosis while having symptoms such as constant coughing, chest pains, and even unintended weight loss. So don’t forget to take care of your health.
4. Hyperthyroidism: “Your thyroid monitors your metabolism, so it makes sense that thyroid problems can lead to weight gain. A fast metabolism can help you lose weight, but too fast a metabolism can be harmful. Rapid weight loss and complications such as fast heart rate, anxiety, nervousness, tremors and insomnia are all symptoms of hyperthyroidism, says Hatuja.
“When the thyroid gland begins to release excess hormones. This may be due to a hyperactive state or damage to the thyroid gland from infection or antibodies. Diagnosed by a simple thyroid function test,” says Dr. Johann Varghese. says – MBBS, DNB (Medicine), DM (Endocrinology) Honorary Advisor (Endocrinologist) of Holy Family Hospital.
5. Bowel disease: Weight loss is caused by conditions such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, lactose intolerance, and intestinal damage that can cause malabsorption. When something prevents your gut from absorbing essential nutrients. In most cases, such as celiac disease, intestinal ailments can be easily treated with a gluten-free diet and can promote healthy weight gain, says Hatuja.
“IBD also destroys the hunger hormone ghrelin and the satiety hormone leptin, which reduces appetite and causes weight loss. Other symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, bloody stools, and fatigue. Treatment may include nutritional supplements, medications, and possibly surgery,” says Dr. Pargeau.
6. Depression: “Depression is defined as feeling sad, lost, or empty for at least two weeks. These feelings interfere with daily activities such as going to work or school. loss of appetite and weight loss because it affects the same parts of the brain that do or suicidal thoughts, irritability. Behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and antidepressants are used to treat depression,” says Dr.
7. Eating Disorders: “Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight, an intense fear of weight gain, and a distorted perception of weight. control calories by misusing laxatives and diuretics.Symptoms and signs include being extremely thin, fatigue, insomnia, dizziness and fainting, lack of menstruation, constipation, intolerance to cold, It includes dry or yellowish skin, fine, brittle hair, and low blood pressure.
“Psychiatric disorders such as anorexia nervosa can lead to weight loss where people perceive themselves to be fat and restrict their food intake when they are actually thin,” says Dr. Varghese. increase.
8. Rheumatoid arthritis: “Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the joints of the body. In addition, you may lose weight because your body is inflamed and burns more calories and fat each day. What to Eat Get help from a professional to remove it from your diet,” says Dr. Mule.
9. Dementia: Dementia can also lead to some weight loss. Because dementia affects memory, people may forget whether they have eaten food and may lose weight. That’s why it’s imperative that families give people diagnosed with dementia the utmost attention, Dr. Mule said.
10. HIV infection and malignancy: Unexplained weight loss after ruling out the above causes should undergo a comprehensive evaluation to rule out HIV infection (diagnosed by blood tests) and potential malignancies. Testing and imaging may be required.
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