Remember the famous expression: “If a woman eats and does not gain weight, she is a witch”? This expression has its own history, but now about something else: why does a person lose weight without going on a diet? Each of us knows people who don’t think about extra calories, and yet never gain weight. Perhaps these are the characteristics of the body, excellent metabolism. But there may be other reasons. For example, serious illnesses.
Thinness or fatness?
Man has always obtained food in order to survive. It was for this purpose that the basics of agriculture and cattle breeding were mastered. People grew vegetables, grains, fished and hunted animals. Nature provided all this. The purpose of food was life.
Today, food often becomes the purpose of life. We are so accustomed to tasty and not always healthy food that we have lost our sense of proportion. Now the majority of the world's population suffers from obesity.
The causes of obesity are known to everyone:
- the use of treats by mothers as rewards for children;
- large portions;
- high calorie food;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- incorrect balance between consumed and wasted energy;
- period of pregnancy or breastfeeding;
- and many other reasons.
And, despite people's awareness of the causes of obesity, this problem in the world is becoming increasingly acute.
Why is weight loss?
- a person spends more energy than he receives while eating;
- plays sports intensively;
- is constantly in nervous tension;
- experiences frequent stressful situations;
- engages in heavy physical labor;
- suffers from serious illnesses.
A person can easily cope with most of the reasons on his own. To do this, it is enough to get rid of stress, worries, balance the load, etc. But the last reason requires the intervention of doctors. Let's look at some reasons for losing weight due to illness.
The culprits of losing kilograms without dieting
Most diseases that provoke rapid weight loss can be combined into several groups:
1. Diseases that cause weight loss due to lack of appetite. At the same time, the intake of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals into the body is sharply reduced. This group includes gastrointestinal diseases intestinal tract(ulcerative colitis, stomach cancer, gastritis), as well as mental illness (anorexia).
3. Diseases that require additional energy for life: spastic paralysis, thyrotoxicosis and others.
If you begin to notice a rapid loss of kilograms for no apparent reason, be sure to undergo a medical examination. Early diagnosis of the disease is always in favor of successful treatment. But it often happens differently: a person tries not to notice the sudden weight loss and reassures himself that there are no other symptoms of the disease. This results in wasted valuable time.
Often the disease is discovered by chance. For example, a woman asks a question: why can’t I get pregnant, not paying attention to my rapid weight loss. And this could be the reason!
Let's look at some diseases that can cause significant weight loss.
Diseases that provoke weight loss:
1. Type 1 diabetes mellitus. This is a very common reason for weight loss. Please note: most people with type 2 diabetes are people with overweight, obese. The first type of this disease leads to sudden weight loss. Moreover, patients experience increased appetite, constantly feeling hungry. This is due to the inability of glucose to flow from the blood into the cells of the body.
2. Pulmonary tuberculosis at an early stage can also cause sudden weight loss. A person suffers from loss of appetite, fatigue, begins to cough, sweats a lot, etc.
3. Thyrotoxicosis. This is a disease in which the metabolism is disrupted, it produces too many hormones, and the metabolism accelerates. Energy is consumed very quickly. Sleep disturbance occurs and nervous overexcitation appears. These and other problems lead to increased appetite. But even with large food consumption, a person continues to lose weight.
4. Oncological diseases in most cases cause weight loss. Malignant formations draw glucose from the blood, leaving it for the development of the body. In the later stages of the disease, severe exhaustion of the body is often observed.
5. Dysbacteriosis very often causes loss of appetite. In some cases, eating is accompanied by painful sensations in the abdomen. This causes fear of pain from eating, which leads to refusal of food and weight loss.
7. Chronic psychogenic stress mobilizes all the body's forces to solve a complex problem. A lot of energy is spent, which reduces body weight. Too much stress can lead to serious illness.
8. Alcohol abuse also leads to gradual weight loss. Alcohol affects the gastrointestinal tract and causes loss of appetite.
We have considered only some of the reasons. But already from them we can conclude that this sudden loss of weight can be a symptom of a very dangerous disease.
If you are rapidly, uncontrollably losing weight without apparent reason or effort, then this can be an extremely dangerous factor that requires timely diagnosis and complex treatment.
Description of fast weight loss
Under rapid loss weight loss usually means a sharp decrease in body weight and visual emaciation of a person. At the same time, there are no external factors contributing to such a symptom: the patient does not engage in active sports, continues to eat well and leads a normal lifestyle. In this case, the patient’s state of health may be normal for some time, but after a certain period of time, he feels weakness, possibly intoxication, a high temperature and other symptoms of a disease appear.
Reasons
The main mechanisms of this process include inadequate poor nutrition or complete starvation, sharply increased needs of the body after exercise and illness, as well as a significant decrease in the absorption of nutrients into the body and hypermetabolism, in which essential vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins, carbohydrates are excreted naturally without their penetration into the body.
Sudden weight loss is most often caused by various diseases of the neurological, gastrointestinal, infectious, metabolic, oncological types, as well as acute deficiency of vitamins or nutrients involved in metabolic processes.
Possible diseases
A sharp decrease in body weight, as mentioned above, can be caused by a huge range of diseases and negative conditions. Here are just a few of them:
- Problem with the adrenal glands. Typically, adrenal insufficiency is accompanied by anorexia, weakness, sudden weight loss, disturbances in regular bowel movements, and mental irritability. Sometimes the patient is plagued by attacks of nausea, as well as focal manifestations of strong skin pigmentation.
- Diabetes mellitus. There is a common belief that diabetes only causes obesity - this is not true at all! This disease causes metabolic processes to malfunction and provokes not only weight gain, but also sudden weight loss, depending on the specific condition of the body. In addition to weight loss, diabetes mellitus is accompanied by fatigue, extreme thirst, and frequent urination.
- Neurological anorexia. This disease of a neurological nature is typical for women from 18 to 30 years old and is accompanied by a very sharp loss of weight (up to 50 percent) over a short period of time. Patients with this diagnosis experience muscle atrophy, hair loss, general weakness, hypotension, frequent constipation, and regular uncontrolled vomiting.
- Systemic depression. Severe forms of systemic depression are sometimes accompanied by drowsiness, suicidal thoughts, loss of appetite and weight, and general fatigue.
- Cryptosporidosis. Protozoal infections of this type provoke muscle pain, sudden loss of body weight, severe diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea with vomiting.
- Viral infections with herpes. Herpes, despite the classic indolent form of the disease, sometimes contributes to malnutrition due to discomfort during meals, which in turn provokes weight loss.
- Gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis quite strongly affects the absorption of fluids into the body, slowing them down, which in turn leads to serious weight loss, dehydration, fever, dryness of all mucous systems of the body, tachycardia and other manifestations of the disease.
- Esophagitis. Inflammation in the esophagus area causes severe pain during food consumption - a person can de facto avoid this activity or reduce it to a minimum. Such swallowing dysfunctions provoke severe and sudden weight loss, and the patient often experiences regular vomiting.
- Leukemia. Such a terrible disease as blood cancer causes rapidly progressive loss of body weight, tachycardia, general weakness of the body, pain in the muscles and bones, anemia, wide-spectrum fevers, enlarged spleen, etc.
- Various oncologies. Almost every cancer can be a catalyst for the process of rapid weight loss, which varies in symptoms depending on the location and type of disease
- Stomatitis. Various inflammations of the oral mucosa interfere with proper nutrition and thus provoke weight loss.
- Pulmonary tuberculosis. A serious infectious disease can cause, in addition to sweating, weakness, chest pain, hemoptysis, shortness of breath and low-grade fever, also weight loss with anorexia.
- Lymphomas. In acute lymphomas, dynamic, smooth weight loss is usually observed, occurring against the background of enlarged lymph nodes, spleen, liver and skin itching.
- Thyrotoxicosis. This disease provokes a significant increase in the level of hormones in the thyroid gland, which “accelerate” metabolic processes, causing severe diarrhea, sweating, fever, sudden weight loss, and tremors of the limbs.
- FFT syndrome. In newborns and small children, nutritional underdevelopment is rarely but periodically diagnosed, as a result of which the baby extremely quickly loses weight and strength.
- Whipple syndrome. This condition is characterized by significant damage to the intestinal epithelium and an almost complete stop in the absorption of fluid and nutrients through the gastrointestinal tract, which in turn provokes a sharp loss of body weight, diarrhea, steatorrhea and various anorexic manifestations.
- Ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis causes a decrease in appetite, physical exhaustion of the body and weight loss and an increase in body temperature.
- Crohn's disease. As the disease progresses, patients experience weakness, fatigue, constant diarrhea, abdominal cramps and rapid weight loss even with adequate nutrition.
- Medicines. Some medications for the treatment of the thyroid gland, brain stimulants, laxatives, and chemotherapy are a catalyst for extremely rapid weight loss with general depletion of the body.
- Physiological reasons. Physiological causes of weight loss include aging (and, accordingly, a decrease in muscle mass), psychiatric disorders, alcoholism, tooth loss (difficulty chewing food), etc.
What to do and how to stop?
If the diagnosis does not reveal serious health problems, then it is necessary to apply a number of physiological procedures to normalize metabolism and systematize the diet.
- Regularly engage in moderate physical activity, preferably at outdoors.
- Be outside more often on a sunny day and work up an appetite.
- Significantly increase the calorie content of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Eat heartily, include a variety of baked goods in your diet, pasta, fish dishes And large number vegetable oil.
- Drink decoctions that increase your appetite.
If sudden weight loss is associated with stress or emotional tension, you should:
- Learn to fully relax. Take meditation and yoga courses.
- You use aromatherapy to normalize your emotional background.
- Drink decoctions that lift your spirits and relieve stress.
- Sign up for relaxation massages.
If your problem is still related to illness, then you should definitely visit a doctor, especially in the case when weight is rapidly being lost for more than a month, there are other ailments, and total mass your body is 15-20 percent smaller than average.
Are you suddenly losing weight, and at the same time there is a constant urge to vomit, and nausea does not go away even after using medications? There may be several reasons for this, and all of them are related to possible manifestations of disease.
The combination of the two above symptoms is characteristic of:
- Wide range of gastrointestinal tract diseases. In this case, the underlying factor is the inflammatory process, which blocks the absorption of nutrients and disrupts digestion. Such dispersed phenomena as loose stools, vomiting with nausea, provoke a more active removal of useful substances from the body, which causes tissue hypoxia, as well as an acute lack of “fuel” for the body.
- Hormonal imbalances, in particular hypothyroidism, caused by a lack of basic thyroid hormones. The autoimmune disease is characterized by constant nausea, drowsiness, fatigue, as well as sudden weight gain or, conversely, weight loss.
- Cancer of various etymologies. Some of the basic symptoms of advanced cancer are nausea, weight loss, and blood clots in the stool.
- Pregnancy with concomitant toxicosis. In the first trimester of pregnancy, expectant mothers often experience attacks of nausea, they lose weight, lose appetite, and experience general weakness of the body. This physiological process is a consequence of toxicosis and should pass by 20-22 weeks of pregnancy. If the alarming symptoms do not disappear, then it is urgently necessary to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis of the condition of your body.
- Addison's syndrome (hypocortisolism). With adrenal insufficiency, along with other symptoms, the weight of the patient who experiences regular nausea and vomiting almost always decreases significantly.
Weight loss and fever
Fast and sudden loss weight, as well as the high temperature that accompanies this process, usually indicates the presence in the body of diseases such as ulcerative colitis, gastroenteritis or pulmonary tuberculosis. Quite often, these symptoms indicate extreme exhaustion of the entire body or a chronic lack of fluid that nourishes all body systems.
Smooth dynamic weight loss with increasing amplitude, as well as constant low-grade fever, increasing in the evenings, may indicate the development of oncology and cancerous tumors.
Weight loss during pregnancy
Weight loss during pregnancy in the first trimester is considered normal if it is accompanied by toxicosis. During this period expectant mother experiences regular vomiting, aversion to certain types of food, and general weakness. Typically, toxicosis goes away by 20-22 weeks and with physiological point vision does not harm the baby or the fair sex. However, if toxicosis significantly drags on or you lose weight in the absence of a visible reason for a long period of time, and especially in the second and third trimester, then this is a reason to urgently consult a doctor, who, using a comprehensive diagnosis, will help determine the true cause of weight loss.
Weight loss under stress
Stressful situations, depression, as well as various neurological conditions can provoke both obesity and significant sudden weight loss. In some cases, these conditions provoke the development of anorexia, especially if they are caused deliberately in an attempt to reduce weight by provoking vomiting after meals.
The problem can only be eliminated by qualified help from specialists who will prescribe appropriate medication, physiological procedures and recommend psychological help.
Carefully and carefully monitor your own health, prevent the development of diseases and always be happy!
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Contents of the article:
Severe rapid weight loss is no less alarming than weight gain. When a person begins to lose more than five percent of his body weight over the course of a week, this immediately has a negative impact on his well-being and appearance. Today we will tell you why a person suddenly loses weight. All causes of rapid weight loss known to science can be divided into two groups: medical and general. If with common people Most often they cope on their own, but with the first group everything is much more complicated.
Medical reasons for rapid weight loss
Since medical reasons are the most difficult, let's start our conversation with them. According to official statistics, approximately 80 percent of cases of rapid weight loss are associated with dysfunction internal organs or entire systems. If you notice that you have begun to lose weight quickly, be sure to consult your doctor as soon as possible for advice.
Oncological diseases
If the color of the skin or the sclera of the eyes changes, weight actively decreases, hair begins to fall out profusely, and nail plates break - an oncological disease may develop in the body. These are just a few of the main symptoms of this terrible disease. Most often, the patient does not even suspect the presence of a malignant tumor in the body.
Most often, rapid weight loss is associated with cancer of the liver, pancreas or gastrointestinal tract. Already in the first days of the development of the tumor, the patient can begin to actively lose weight. In other cancers, this most often occurs after the number of metastases has increased. Here are the main signs of the development of a malignant tumor neoplasm:
- Ulcers and wounds do not heal for a long time.
- Seals appear.
- The process of urination is disrupted, and problems with stool appear.
- The voice becomes hoarse and a cough appears.
- The patient often experiences weakness.
- The color of the skin changes.
Pulmonary tuberculosis
This disease is preceded by the appearance of a mass of symptoms, the main among which should be considered rapid weight loss. This is a very complex and dangerous disease, which must be combated only in the initial stages. Let us note other symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis:
- Wet chest cough.
- When you cough, blood and pus are released.
- There is a loss of strength and weakness often appears.
- The process of sweating is significantly accelerated.
- Appear painful sensations in the area chest accompanied by cough.
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus can cause not only weight gain, but also rapid weight loss. Moreover, weight loss is most often observed in type 1 disease. The patient experiences a strong feeling of hunger, which is extremely difficult to satisfy. This is due to an imbalance in blood sugar. Among the symptoms of type 1 diabetes, we note the following:
- Constant feeling of dry mouth and severe thirst.
- Increased sweating.
- Irritability increases.
- Problems with the functioning of the organs of vision appear.
- Frequent urination.
- Constant feeling of hunger.
Pathology of the thyroid gland
This organ synthesizes two hormones that have a strong effect on human metabolism. It is with the acceleration of metabolic processes that rapid weight loss is associated. This disease is called hyperthyroidism. The patient eats a lot of food, but loses weight. The main symptoms of hyperthyroidism:
- Heart rate increases.
- Having problems with work digestive system.
- Tremor.
- Constant feeling of thirst.
- Decreased sexual desire in men and menstrual irregularities in women.
- Attention deteriorates.
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia is characterized by an intense fear of obesity, as well as eating disorders, usually intentional. This disease has several points of contact with gluttony and bulimia. Most often, the disease occurs in girls under the age of 25, although men can also suffer from anorexia nervosa.
Patients are confident that refusing a normal diet is the best remedy avoid obesity. As a result, the body is exhausted, and if measures are not taken to treat the disease, death is possible. Let us note the main symptoms of the disease:
- Fear of dialing overweight.
- Sleep disturbances.
- The patient denies his own fear of obesity and the presence of the problem itself.
- Depression.
- Feelings of anger and resentment.
- The perception of social and family life is changing.
- Behavior changes dramatically.
Adrenal gland dysfunction
The adrenal glands synthesize several hormones. If the organ is not able to perform its job efficiently, then serious health problems are possible. Doctors distinguish between chronic and acute, as well as primary and secondary forms of the disease. The disease is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Muscular weakness.
- Constantly increasing feeling of fatigue.
- The color of the skin changes until a bronze tint appears.
- Blood pressure drops.
- There is a strong craving for salty foods.
- Appetite decreases.
Alzheimer's disease
This disease is often called senile dementia. Scientists believe that the main reason for the development of this disease is the destruction of synaptic connections in the brain. Most often, the disease manifests itself at the age of 65 years and older. However, an earlier onset of Alzheimer's disease is also possible. Most often this is due to genetic predisposition.
The disease manifests itself in partial memory loss and disorientation. A person remembers recent events, but problems begin with long-term memory. The patient becomes lost even in familiar terrain and ceases to recognize loved ones. The ability to experience emotions is gradually lost, and problems with speech and hearing are also possible. Thus, a person becomes unable to live without constant outside help.
Hodgkin's disease
This is one of the oncological diseases associated with the proliferation of lymphatic tissues. The first stage of the disease is characterized by a sharp growth of lymph nodes, most often located in the armpits and neck. Main symptoms of the disease:
- Appetite decreases.
- Lymph nodes become inflamed.
- At night, sweating processes actively occur.
- Body temperature increases.
Ulcerative colitis
This disease is chronic and is associated with inflammation of the gastric mucosa. The symptoms of the disease are as follows:
- Pain appears in the abdominal area.
- Diarrhea.
- Bloating.
- Feverish condition.
- There are problems with the functioning of the kidneys and heart muscle.
- Loss of appetite.
Insufficient permeability of the intestinal tract
The problem is the narrowing of the lumen of the large intestinal tract. The disease is a late stage of the development of cancer. The main symptoms are:
- Problems with stool and gas.
- Pain appears on the left side of the abdomen.
- Vomit.
- Asymmetrical bloating.
Common Reasons for Rapid Weight Loss
We have told you about the medical reasons for rapid body weight loss. However, even healthy people may wonder why a person is suddenly losing weight.
Stress
This is one of the most common causes of weight loss and especially in men. IN modern life Stressful situations can await representatives of the stronger sex literally at every turn. Quite often, after severe stress, a person begins to lose weight. Along with active weight loss, men often complain of sleep problems and disruption of the digestive system.
Irritability increases significantly and fatigue appears quickly. Our body is able to cope on its own a large number problems. However, if the stress does not go away and the man continues to lose weight, he should immediately consult a specialist for advice.
In many situations, rapid weight loss is explained by the body’s attempts to independently cope with a hidden illness. To do this, it actively destroys adipose and muscle tissue to produce energy. Note that in this situation, the man most often continues to eat well and cannot explain why the person is suddenly losing weight. In such a situation, you should visit a doctor and undergo a full medical examination.
It should also be said about other common reasons for active weight loss:
- Violation of eating habits.
- Various phobias.
- Strict dietary nutrition programs.
- Awkward age.
- Disturbances in the hormonal system.
- Excessive physical activity.
- Alcohol or drug addiction.
How to eliminate the reasons for rapid weight loss on your own?
We advise you to first visit a doctor and with his help determine the reasons for the sudden weight loss. Otherwise, self-medication can only harm the body. Experts, after determining the cause of the problem, most often offer the following ways to solve it:
- If you have been diagnosed with a cold or infectious disease, consume ascorbic acid in sufficient quantities.
- When the cause is severe stress, it is worth visiting a psychologist.
- At active activities sports, it is necessary to reduce physical activity or even stop training for a while.
Reasons why a person can suddenly lose weight:
For breakfast, porridge with butter, for lunch, borscht with sour cream, schnitzel with potatoes, a piece of cake at night. With a minimum of physical activity, you lose weight. Weight fluctuations of one to three kilograms may not be noticed, but if you have quickly lost more than five percent of your body weight without dieting, it’s time to see a doctor. Rapid weight loss may be a sign of a serious illness.
Losing weight: melting muscles
Of course, weight fluctuations of 1-3 kg can be ignored; most often they are caused by changes in water-electrolyte balance, accumulation and loss of fluid. But if you quickly and without dieting have lost 5% of your body weight, you should consult a doctor and jointly analyze the reasons for the situation.
Weight loss is the result of a lack of nutrients. A signal that the body begins to consume its own proteins, fats and carbohydrates to provide energy and maintain vital functions. . At the initial stage, weight loss is associated with the loss of fat mass, then the muscles begin to “melt” and other protein tissues, metabolism changes, functional and structural changes occur in organs, and diseases develop.
Depression is the most common reason for weight loss
Depression is a mental disorder manifested by a sharp and persistent decrease in mood, motor retardation, and a negative perception of reality and one’s own personality. One of the signs of depression is impaired taste perception, which results in decreased appetite and sudden weight loss. The situation is aggravated by the fact that the disease contributes to the development of gastritis and other diseases of the digestive system, accompanied by abdominal discomfort.
What to do if you notice signs of depression? Without delay, consult a doctor. Anyone. Start with a therapist. Depression is difficult to cope with on your own, and it cannot resist medication and psychotherapy. . In its advanced form, depression can lead to exhaustion and the emergence of suicidal thoughts.
Hormonal disorders as a factor in weight loss
Surely you have heard about the leading role of the hormonal system in the functioning of the human body, in particular in their influence on metabolic processes. Disorders of the pituitary gland, adrenal glands, thyroid and pancreas can lead to intensification of metabolism and fast weight loss. For example, patients with hyperthyroidism, along with anxiety, excitability, rapid heartbeat, dry skin, as a rule, have insufficient body weight with a sharply increased appetite.
What to do? Run to an endocrinologist and take a biochemical blood test and a blood test for hormones of the pituitary gland, adrenal glands, and thyroid gland.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract lead to weight loss
This list includes, first of all, celiac disease, enterocolitis, atrophic gastritis - that is, diseases accompanied by impaired absorption of nutrients. Inflammatory and atrophic processes occurring in the digestive tract lead to disruption of food digestion, and the accompanying abdominal pain, flatulence, constipation, and diarrhea discourage the desire to eat. An increasing deficiency of vitamins and microelements leads to dry skin, brittle and hair loss, thinning nails, and bleeding gums.
What to do if weight loss is accompanied by abdominal discomfort and signs of hypovitaminosis? Contact and get examined. Only treatment of the underlying disease will allow you to return normal weight.
Diseases of the gallbladder and pancreas as a factor in weight loss
Chronic diseases of the gallbladder and pancreas go hand in hand. The reason for this is the proximity of the excretory ducts of these organs, causing a disruption in the flow of their enzymes into the intestines. Lack of digestive juices leads to insufficient breakdown of food and the occurrence of nutritional deficiencies in the body, despite adequate nutrition.
Diseases of the gallbladder and pancreas are often accompanied by pain in the upper abdomen, changes in stool, and the appearance of a fatty film on the surface of stool.
What to do if you suspect the cause of weight loss is a disease of the biliary system and pancreas? Contact a gastroenterologist for a full examination and treatment. Enzyme preparations will help normalize digestion.
Causes of weight loss such as viral hepatitis or HIV cannot be ruled out; moreover, weight loss sometimes becomes the first symptom of the disease.
Another infectious cause of weight loss is tuberculosis. In addition to the fact that due to intoxication, patients lose their appetite, fighting infection requires enormous energy expenditure, and the body takes it from its own reserves. Frequent coughing, constant low-grade body temperature, sweating, weakness should suggest tuberculosis and become a reason for an emergency examination.
Helminth infections, despite popular belief, rarely lead to significant weight loss. Exceptions are cases when the number of helminths “goes off scale”, and their presence causes intoxication and digestive disorders.
There is such a thing as cancer cachexia - a condition of sudden weight loss caused by a malignant tumor. In most cases, doctors encounter it in the later stages of cancer development; with tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, this condition develops earlier.
Patients suffer from intoxication, their appetite is disrupted, and taste sensations change. A rapidly growing tumor requires a huge amount of nutrients, as a result of which healthy tissues of the body begin to lack them. In addition, the substances secreted by the tumor have a toxic effect on the body’s tissues, slowing down metabolic processes in them and leading them to atrophy. As a result, with normal nutrition, a cancer patient begins to lose weight, and loses not only fat, but also muscle mass.
The presence of constant weakness and low-grade fever, combined with unmotivated weight loss, should be a reason to consult a doctor. Start with , if necessary, he will refer you to an oncologist. In this situation, only comprehensive treatment will help.
It's one thing if you managed to get rid of extra pounds thanks to persistent exercise and diet, but it is completely different when weight loss occurs quickly without any lifestyle changes. In this case, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible for examination and consultation. The presence of a serious illness may be indicated by the fact that in less than a year a person loses more than five percent of body weight. Let's talk about ten diseases, one of the symptoms of which is sudden weight loss.
With diabetes, a person can either gain excess weight or unexpectedly lose pounds. Weight loss in diabetes occurs mainly for two reasons. Firstly, due to frequent urination, the body loses a lot of water. And secondly, due to blood sugar, the body absorbs calories worse. In addition, when there is a lack of insulin, the body begins to burn fat for energy, thereby causing overall weight loss.
According to research, significant weight loss is a common symptom of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Weight loss in diabetes may be accompanied by other important signs of the disease: excessive thirst, constant fatigue, frequent urination, intense hunger, wounds that do not heal for a long time, tingling in the limbs, etc.
2. Weight loss due to hyperthyroidism
Sudden weight loss and loss of appetite may indicate problems with the thyroid gland, in particular a disease such as hyperthyroidism. With it, there is increased activity of the thyroid gland and an excess of its hormones in the blood. This subsequently increases the metabolic rate and the body's ability to burn fat. In addition to rapid weight loss, signs of hyperthyroidism include: increased heart rate, hot flashes, excessive sweating, mood swings, depression, panic attacks, bulging eyes, muscle weakness and fatigue.
3. Stomach ulcer
People suffering from peptic ulcers also often suddenly begin to lose weight. Gastric ulcers are based on inflammation that develops in inside the wall of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine. This causes noticeable pain and leads to loss of appetite. Due to a person’s refusal to eat, frequent attacks of nausea and vomiting during a peptic ulcer, weight loss occurs. Some more common symptoms of this digestive system ailment are: a feeling of fullness after a few bites of food, bloody stools, chest pain, chronic fatigue.
5. Depression
Although it may seem strange, depression can also lead to unintentional weight loss. This common mental disorder results in persistent feelings of sadness, loss, frustration or even anger, which can affect various aspects of everyday life. Often in this case, appetite decreases, which causes weight loss. Research in applied physiology shows that during depression there is a tendency towards hypoglycemia, in which the levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) decrease.
In addition to poor appetite, depression is characterized by poor concentration, negative and even suicidal thoughts, sleep problems and other difficulties. However, in some cases, during depression, a person gains excess weight, trying to get rid of problems through frequent meals of high-calorie foods.
6. Oncological diseases
Unexplained weight loss is one of the first noticeable signs various types cancer, including prostate, breast, lung, pancreatic, ovarian and colon cancer. The uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells accelerates the metabolism, causing the entire body to wear out, using its resources to the maximum. This leads to loss of muscle and fat mass.
When cancer cells begin to spread throughout the body, it can negatively affect the functioning of various internal organs. Cancer can cause chemical changes in the body that make it difficult to gain weight, even despite eating a high-calorie diet.
Cancer treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy, also often lead to loss of weight and appetite. In addition to this, treatment causes a lot side effects: nausea, vomiting, mouth ulcers, which makes eating painful and uncomfortable.
This is an intestinal disease caused by inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract. One of its symptoms is sudden weight loss. This occurs due to decreased appetite, food apathy, poor absorption of nutrients, loss of calories due to frequent diarrhea or gastrointestinal bleeding. Crohn's disease is characterized by relatively low levels of hunger and loss of pleasure from eating. Other symptoms of the disease: low-grade fever, diarrhea, decreased energy, cramps, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
8. Tuberculosis
Unexplained weight loss and decreased appetite are some of the known symptoms of tuberculosis. This infectious disease caused by mycobacteria affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body (lymph nodes, bones, digestive, reproductive and nervous system). In addition to rapid weight loss, symptoms of tuberculosis include: frequent and severe cough that does not go away for more than a month, chronic fatigue, fever, night sweats, etc.
These diseases most often develop in middle-aged and elderly people. Such health problems also cause weight loss. A 2005 study by researchers at the London Institute of Psychiatry found that weight loss often occurs before the characteristic symptoms of dementia appear. The accumulation of beta-amyloid (a peptide in the brain) disrupts the body's weight regulation mechanism, leading to accelerated weight loss and is one of the initial symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
10. HIV infection
People infected with HIV also lose weight quickly. Their immune system cannot get rid of the virus, which gradually destroys it, and the body stops fighting infections and diseases. If HIV is not detected and controlled early, AIDS may develop. In addition to weight loss, signs of such an infection include: night sweats, fever, sore throat and muscle pain, rashes, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
