Losing weight without trying or unexplained weight loss, however, can be very unsettling if you cannot identify a factor that may have contributed to the change on the scale.
If your weight changes by more than 4 kg and you haven’t changed your diet, it may be a sign of a more serious problem.
Weight fluctuations are normal and can be caused by how much you eat, drink, and move in a given time period.
It’s time to tell your doctor what’s going on if you lose at least 7% of your body weight in less than six months and you’re unable to find a reasonable explanation for it.
The best course of action if you’re experiencing unexplained weight loss is to consult a doctor.
In fact, unexplained weight loss may be a warning sign of a serious health condition.
Then, depending on your symptoms, they may perform a blood test or an imaging test and ask you questions about your symptoms.
Here, medical professionals discuss the conditions that may be to blame for your sudden weight loss.
Over-Active Thyroid (Hyperthyroidism)
Too much thyroid hormone produced by the thyroid gland speeds up metabolism, causing you to burn more calories and shed pounds.
Additionally, you might experience increased bowel movements, a racing heartbeat, and anxiety.
Other typical signs of an overactive thyroid include difficulty sleeping or constant warmth of body
You can get medication from your doctor to help you manage it.
In addition, they might discuss with you having your thyroid removed entirely or partially during surgery.
Diabetes
New-onset diabetes can lead to weight loss, particularly in the early stages.
Although type-1 diabetes is typically diagnosed with this, type-2 diabetes can also be diagnosed with this.
It’s possible that you’ll experience extreme thirst and constant urination.
Because you can’t absorb it, your body literally urinates out glucose, which makes you thirsty.
Regularly having high blood sugar levels can make your body eat nutrients from your muscles, causing a sudden drop in weight.
Gluten Intolerance (Celiac Disease)
Consuming gluten can harm the small intestine in people with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that can cause weight loss and other gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating and diarrhea.
Because your immune system gets a little worked up if you have celiac disease and consume gluten.
This reaction can disrupt the lining of your small intestine, impairing its capacity to properly aid in your nutrient absorption.
Due to malabsorption, inflammatory bowel conditions like Crohn’s disease can also cause unexplained weight loss.
Medicines
Certain medications used to treat medical conditions may increase your metabolism, causing you to burn more calories or experience decreased hunger.
These Drugs are
Stimulants
Chemotherapy medications
Antidepressants
Diabetes type-2 medications
If you start to lose weight while taking a new medication or lose your appetite, consult your doctor.
Anxiety & Stress
It’s typical to lose a few Kg after a stressful event, such as losing your job, getting divorced, or losing a loved one.
When you’ve had time to process the loss or adjust to the change, you should go back to your regular weight.
You might require support from your loved ones and friends, group therapy, or a qualified counselor.
If you keep losing weight, consult your doctor.
Lupus
It’s an autoimmune disease. At this point, your body’s tissues and organs will come under attack from your immune system.
As a result of your digestive system becoming irritated and finding it challenging to absorb nutrients from food, you may lose weight.
Your joints could hurt or be stiff, and you might be extremely exhausted.
The faces of many people also develop a rash in the form of a butterfly.
By prescribing medication and recommending dietary and lifestyle modifications, your doctor can help you manage these symptoms.
Addison’s Disease
Your adrenal glands produce insufficient amounts of certain hormones, particularly cortisol, when you have this condition.
It may result in stomach problems such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and, in some cases, diarrhea.
These things may cause you to become less hungry and ultimately lose weight.
Your doctor can prescribe medication to replace the missing hormones and assist you in managing your symptoms.
Cancer
These harmful cells may consume more of your energy or produce chemicals that alter how you digest food.
Your immune system frequently needs to work harder as well.
That wears you out and causes your body to burn more calories, which may result in weight loss.
Chronic Bronchitis or COPD
Your lungs’ tiny air sacs are damaged by this illness. Smoking frequently, allergy or pollution is the cause.
You cough up a thick substance known as mucus and find it difficult to breathe.
To breathe in enough oxygen, your body needs more calories.
You might lose your appetite and become easily exhausted.
Weight loss may result from any of these factors.
Severe Heart Disease
Your digestive system may not receive enough blood to function properly if your heart is unable to pump blood and oxygen to the rest of your body as it should.
Even if you haven’t eaten, this may make you feel full and make you queasy.
Fluid can accumulate in your intestines and prevent you from absorbing nutrients if your body is eventually unable to eliminate it as it should.
Reduced salt consumption and the administration of fluid-clearing drugs known as diuretics are two possible recommendations from your doctor.
Dementia
Your cognitive abilities as well as your fundamental memory and social abilities are compromised as a result.
Later on, you might lose a lot of weight if you stop eating or find it difficult to chew or swallow your food.
Dementia can get worse with certain medications, diets, and chronic infections.
Intestinal Worms (Parasite)
Because worms or parasites in your stomach or intestine can consume all of your calories, even when you eat normally, you might find that you suddenly start to lose weight.
Abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, nausea, gas, or bloating are some symptoms.
Often, medication is the best course of action, but the kind will vary depending on the type of parasite you have.
A medical expert should be consulted to determine the best course of action.
Sjögren’s Syndrome
If you’re feeling unwell from a condition like Sjögren’s syndrome, which affects saliva production, you may not be eating as you normally would.
Even though weight loss isn’t always a sign of many autoimmune diseases.
The affected body parts are frequently taken into consideration when treating Sjogren’s syndrome.
Many people use over-the-counter eye drops and more water to treat the symptoms of dry mouth and eyes.
Lack of Physical Activity or Ageing
Muscle loss due to inactivity is a very common occurrence as you age and can result in weight loss.
This can cause the scale to tip lower because muscle weighs more than fat.
Adults over 65 are in particular at serious risk in this regard.
Sarcopenia is a condition characterized by a loss of muscle mass and strength is one of the main issues brought on by unintentional weight loss in this population.
Sarcopenia is linked to worsening functional impairment, disability, falls, and mortality.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
When an individual’s appetite is suppressed, it can result in a loss of weight.
Inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a condition in which your immune system unintentionally attacks healthy tissues, or some types of infection can do this.
These ailments can also lead to gut inflammation, which can interfere with nutrient absorption and cause unexplained weight loss prior to diagnosis.
Pancreatitis
Unexpected weight loss may also be caused by issues with your pancreas, which makes enzymes that aid in digestion.
People with chronic pancreatitis, a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed, tend to lose weight quickly (even if they are eating normally), because the body can’t produce enough enzymes to properly digest food.
After eating fatty foods, watch for signs like nausea, diarrhea, or stomach pain, as well as poop that is discolored or oily.
You aren’t Eating Enough
As we get older, our stomachs empty more slowly, making us feel fuller for longer.
Additionally, some of the brain signals that regulate hunger and fullness weaken.
All of this may cause older adults to eat less, to lose weight, and to consume insufficient amounts of nutrients to meet their bodies’ nutritional requirements.
Tuberculosis (TB)
This infectious disease typically impacts the lungs.
Major TB symptoms include weight loss and decreased appetite, but the causes are not fully understood.
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