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 dieting? Each of us knows people who do not think about extra calories, and at the same time never gain weight. Perhaps these are the features of the body, an excellent metabolism. But there may be other reasons as well. For example, serious illnesses.
Thinness or fullness?
Man has always obtained food in order to survive. It was for this that the basics of agriculture and cattle breeding were mastered. People grew vegetables, cereals, fished and hunted animals. All this was provided by nature. The purpose of food was life.
Today, food is often the goal of life. We are so accustomed to tasty and not always healthy food that we have lost the sense of proportion. Now the majority of the world's population suffers from obesity.
The causes of obesity are known to all:
- the use of treats by mothers as an encouragement to children;
- large portions;
- high calorie food;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- wrong balance between consumed and wasted energy;
- period of pregnancy or breastfeeding;
- and very many other reasons.
And, despite people's awareness of the causes of obesity, this problem in the world is becoming more acute.
Why is the weight reduced?
- a person spends more energy than he receives while eating;
- goes in for sports intensively;
- is constantly in nervous tension;
- experiencing frequent stressful situations;
- engaged in heavy physical labor;
- suffering from serious illnesses.
With most of the causes, a person can easily cope on his own. To do this, it is enough to get rid of stresses, worries, balance loads, etc. But the last reason requires the intervention of doctors. Consider some of the reasons for losing weight due to illness.
The culprits of weight loss without diets
Most of the diseases that provoke rapid weight loss can be combined into several groups:
1. Diseases from which kilograms go 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 diseases gastrointestinal 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 a successful cure. But it often happens otherwise: a person tries not to notice a sharp weight loss, reassures himself that there are no other symptoms of the disease. This results in the loss of precious 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 rapid weight loss. And that might be the reason!
Consider some diseases that can cause significant weight loss.
Diseases that provoke weight loss:
1. Diabetes mellitus of the first type. This is a very common reason for weight loss. Please note that most people with type 2 diabetes are people with overweight, obese. The first type of this disease leads to dramatic 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. Tuberculosis of the lungs at an early stage can also cause drastic weight loss. A person suffers from a decrease in appetite, fatigue, begins to cough, sweats heavily, etc.
3. Thyrotoxicosis. This is a disease in which metabolism is disturbed, too many hormones are produced, and metabolism is accelerated. Energy is used up very quickly. There is a sleep disorder, nervous overexcitation appears. These and other problems lead to increased appetite. But even with a large consumption of food, 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 pain in the abdomen. This causes fear of pain from eating, which leads to refusal of it and weight loss.
7. Chronic psychogenic stress mobilizes all the forces of the body to solve a complex problem. A lot of energy is spent, from which the body weight decreases. Too much stress can lead to serious illnesses.
8. Alcohol abuse also leads to gradual weight loss. Alcohol affects the gastrointestinal tract, provokes loss of appetite.
We have only looked at 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 for no apparent reason and effort, then this can be an extremely dangerous factor that requires timely diagnosis and complex treatment.
Description of Rapid Weight Loss
Under quick 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 exercise active sports continues to eat well and leads a normal life. At the same time, the patient's well-being 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.
Causes
The main mechanisms of this process include inadequate poor nutrition or complete starvation, a sharp increase in the body's needs after stress and illness, as well as a significant decrease in the absorption of nutrients into the body and hypermetabolism, in which the main vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins, carbohydrates are excreted naturally. without their penetration into the body.
Rapid weight loss is most often caused by a variety of diseases of the neurological, gastrointestinal, infectious, metabolic, oncological types, as well as an 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:
- Adrenal problem. Usually, adrenal insufficiency is accompanied by anorexia, weakness, sudden weight loss, irregular stools, mental irritability. Sometimes the patient is haunted by bouts of nausea, as well as focal manifestations of strong skin pigmentation.
- Diabetes. It is widely believed that diabetes causes only obesity - this is not at all true! This disease causes a malfunction of metabolic processes and provokes not only a set, but also a sharp loss of weight, depending on the specific state of the body. In addition to weight loss, diabetes mellitus accompanies fatigue, intense 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 weight loss (up to 50 percent) in a short time period. In patients with this diagnosis, there is 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 weight loss, 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 processes of 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 region of the esophagus brings severe pain in the process of eating food - a person can de facto avoid this event or minimize it. Such violations of the swallowing function provoke a strong and abrupt weight loss, often the patient has regular vomiting.
- Leukemia. Such a terrible disease as blood cancer causes rapidly progressive loss of body weight, the occurrence of tachycardia, general weakness of the body, pain in muscles and bones, anemia, wide spectrum fevers, enlarged spleen, etc.
- Various oncologies. Almost every oncological disease can be a catalyst for the process of rapid weight loss, which differs in symptoms depending on the location and type of the disease.
- Stomatitis. A variety of inflammations of the oral mucosa interfere with proper nutrition and thus provoke weight loss.
- Tuberculosis of the lungs. A serious infectious disease can cause, in addition to sweating, weakness, chest pain, hemoptysis, shortness of breath and low-grade fever, weight loss with anorexia.
- Lymphomas. In acute lymphomas, a dynamic smooth weight loss is usually observed, which occurs against the background of an increase in lymph nodes, spleen, liver and the occurrence of pruritus.
- Thyrotoxicosis. This disease provokes a significant increase in the level of hormones in the thyroid gland, which “accelerate” metabolic processes, cause severe diarrhea, sweating, fever, sudden weight loss, and tremor of the limbs.
- FFT syndrome. In newborns and young children, nutritional underdevelopment is rarely, but periodically diagnosed, as a result of which the baby loses weight and strength extremely quickly.
- Whipple syndrome. This state characterized by significant damage to the intestinal epithelium and an almost complete cessation of the absorption of fluid and nutrients through the gastrointestinal tract, which in turn provokes a sharp loss of body weight, diarrhea, steatorrhea and a variety of anorexic manifestations.
- Ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis causes decreased appetite, physical exhaustion, and weight loss and fever.
- Crohn's disease. In the course of the development of the disease, patients experience weakness, fatigue, constant diarrhea, abdominal cramps and rapid weight loss, even in the presence of good nutrition.
- Medicines. Certain thyroid medications, brain stimulants, laxatives, and chemotherapy are catalysts for extremely rapid weight loss with general emaciation.
- Physiological reasons. The physiological causes of weight loss include aging (and, accordingly, a decrease in muscle mass), psychiatric disorders, alcoholism, loss of teeth (difficulties in chewing food), etc.
What to do and how to stop?
If the diagnosis did not reveal serious health problems, then it is necessary to apply a number of physiological procedures in order to normalize metabolism and systematize the diet.
- Regularly engage in moderate physical activity, preferably for outdoors.
- Be more often on a sunny day on the street, “work up” your appetite.
- Significantly increase the calorie content of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Eat well, include a variety of pastries in your diet, pasta, fish dishes And a large number of vegetable oil.
- Drink decoctions that increase appetite.
In the event that a sharp weight loss is associated with stress or emotional stress, it is worth:
- Learn to fully relax. Attend meditation and yoga courses.
- Use aromatherapy to normalize the emotional background.
- Drink decoctions that uplift your mood and relieve stress.
- Book a relaxing massage.
If your problem is still related to the disease, then you should definitely visit a doctor, especially when weight has been rapidly lost for more than a month, there are other ailments, and total weight your body is 15-20 percent smaller than average.
Are you rapidly losing weight, and at the same time there is a constant urge to vomit, and nausea does not go away even after the use of medications? There can be several reasons for this, and all of them are associated with possible manifestations of diseases.
The combination of the above two symptoms is typical for:
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract of a wide spectrum. In this case, the inflammatory process becomes a fundamental factor, 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 failures, in particular hypothyroidism, caused by a lack of basic thyroid hormones. An autoimmune disease is characterized by constant nausea, drowsiness, fatigue, as well as a sharp set or vice versa, 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 bouts of nausea, they lose weight, lose their appetite, and there is a general weakness of the body. This physiological process is a consequence of toxicosis and should pass by the 20-22nd week of pregnancy. If the alarming symptoms do not disappear, then it is urgent to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis of the state of your body.
- Addison's syndrome (hypocorticism). In case of insufficiency of the adrenal cortex, along with other symptoms, the weight of the patient, who experiences regular nausea and the urge to vomit, almost always decreases significantly.
Weight loss and temperature
fast and sudden loss weight, as well as the high temperature accompanying 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.
A smooth dynamic weight loss with increasing amplitude, as well as a constant subfebrile temperature that increases 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 future mom experiences regular vomiting, aversion to certain types of food, general weakness. Usually, toxicosis disappears by 20-22 weeks and with physiological point vision does not harm the baby or the fair sex. However, if toxicosis is significantly delayed or you lose weight for no apparent reason for a long period of time, and especially in the second and third trimester, then this is an occasion for an urgent visit to a doctor who, using complex diagnostics, will help determine the true cause of weight loss.
weight loss under stress
Stressful situations, depression, as well as a variety of neurology, can provoke both obesity and a significant sharp 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 be eliminated only by qualified help of specialists who will prescribe appropriate medication, physiological procedures and recommend psychological assistance.
Carefully and carefully monitor your own health, prevent the development of diseases and always be happy!
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The content of the article:
Strong rapid weight loss is no less alarming symptom in comparison with weight gain. When a person begins to lose more than five percent of his body weight during a week, this tap negatively affects his well-being and appearance. Today we will tell you why a person is losing weight dramatically. All the causes of rapid weight loss known to science can be divided into two groups: medical and general. If with common people most often cope on their own, then with the first group everything is much more complicated.
Medical reasons for rapid weight loss
Since it is the medical reasons that are the most difficult, we will begin our conversation with them. According to official statistics, approximately 80 percent of cases of rapid weight loss are associated with disruption of work. internal organs or entire systems. If you notice that you have begun to lose weight quickly, be sure to contact your doctor for advice as soon as possible.
Oncological ailments
If the color of the skin or the sclera of the eyes changes, weight is actively reduced, hair begins to fall out profusely, the nail plates break - it is possible that an oncological disease develops in the body. These are just a few of the main symptoms of this terrible disease. Most often, the patient does not even assume the presence of a malignant neoplasm 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 neoplasm, the patient can begin to actively lose weight. With other oncological ailments, this most often occurs after an increase in the number of metastases. Here are the main signs of the development of a malignant tumor neoplasm:
- For a long time, ulcers and wounds do not heal.
- Seals appear.
- The process of urination is disturbed, and there are problems with the stool.
- The voice becomes hoarse and there is a cough.
- The patient often experiences weakness.
- Skin color 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, it is necessary to start fighting it only in the initial stages. Let's note other symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis:
- Wet chest cough.
- When coughing, blood and pus are released.
- There is a decline in strength and often there is weakness.
- Significantly accelerates the process of sweating.
- Appear pain in area chest accompanied by cough.
Diabetes
Diabetes 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 intense thirst.
- Increased sweating.
- Irritability increases.
- There are problems with the work of the organs of vision.
- 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 at the same time loses weight. The main symptoms of hyperthyroidism:
- The heart rate increases.
- Having problems at work digestive system.
- Tremor.
- Constant feeling of thirst.
- Decreased sexual desire in men and irregular menstruation in women.
- Attention worsens.
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 suffer from anorexia nervosa.
Patients are sure that the refusal of 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, a fatal outcome is possible. We note the main symptoms of the disease:
- Fear to dial excess weight.
- Sleep disturbance.
- The patient denies his own fear of obesity and the existence of the problem itself.
- Depression.
- Feelings of anger and resentment.
- The perception of social and family life is changing.
- Behavior changes rapidly.
Adrenal dysfunction
The adrenal glands produce several hormones. If the body is not able to perform its work qualitatively, then serious health problems are possible. Doctors distinguish 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 hue appears.
- The blood pressure drops.
- There is a strong craving for salty foods.
- Appetite drops.
Alzheimer's disease
This disease is often referred to as 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 a 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 is lost even in a familiar area, 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 ailments associated with the growth of lymphatic tissues. The first stage of the disease is characterized by a sharp increase in lymph nodes, most often located in the armpits and on the neck. The main symptoms of the disease:
- Appetite drops.
- Inflamed lymph nodes.
- At night, the processes of sweating are active.
- The body temperature rises.
Ulcerative colitis
This disease is chronic and is associated with inflammation of the gastric mucosa. The symptoms of the disease are as follows:
- There are pain sensations in the abdomen.
- Diarrhea.
- Bloating.
- Feverish state.
- There are problems with the work of the kidneys and the heart muscle.
- Drop in appetite.
Insufficient patency of the intestinal tract
The problem is the narrowing of the lumen of the large intestine. The disease is a late stage in the development of oncological diseases. The main symptoms are:
- Problems with stool and gas.
- There are pain sensations on the left side of the abdomen.
- Vomit.
- Asymmetric bloating.
Common reasons for rapid weight loss
We told you about the medical reasons for rapid weight loss. However, even healthy people may wonder why a person loses weight dramatically.
Stress
This is one of the most common causes of weight loss and especially in men. IN modern life stressful situations can lie in wait for the stronger sex literally at every turn. Quite often, after severe stress, a person begins to lose weight. At the same time with active weight loss men often complain of sleep problems, disruption of the digestive system.
Significantly increases irritability and fatigue appears. Our body is able to cope with big amount problems. However, if the stress persists and the man continues to lose weight, you should contact a specialist for advice as soon as possible.
In many situations, rapid weight loss is explained by the body's attempts to cope with a hidden disease on its own. To do this, it actively destroys adipose and muscle tissue for energy. Note that in this situation, a man most often continues to eat well and cannot explain why a person is losing weight dramatically. In such a situation, you should visit a doctor and undergo a complete medical examination.
It should also be said about other common causes of active weight loss:
- Violation of the diet.
- various phobias.
- Rigid dietary nutrition programs.
- Transitional age.
- Disorders in the hormonal system.
- excessive physical exercise.
- Alcohol or drug addiction.
How to eliminate the causes of rapid weight loss on your own?
We advise you to first visit a doctor and with his help to establish the causes of 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 an ailment of a cold or infectious nature, consume ascorbic acid in sufficient quantities.
- When the cause is severe stress, it is worth visiting a psychologist.
- At active classes sports, it is necessary to reduce physical activity or even stop training for a while.
Reasons why a person can lose weight dramatically:
For breakfast, porridge with butter, for lunch, borscht with sour cream, schnitzel with potatoes, a piece of cake for the night. With a minimum of physical you lose weight. Weight fluctuations of one to three kilograms may not be noticed, but if you have lost more than five percent of your body weight quickly and without diets, it's time to see a doctor. Rapid weight loss can be a sign of a serious illness.
Lose weight: melting muscles
Of course, weight fluctuations of 1-3 kg can be ignored, most often they are due to changes in the water and electrolyte balance, accumulation and loss of fluid. But if you quickly and without dieting lost 5% of your body weight, you should consult a doctor and jointly analyze the causes of the situation.
Weight loss is the result of nutrient deficiencies. A signal that the body begins to use its own proteins, fats and carbohydrates to provide energy and maintain life . 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, diseases develop.
Depression is the most common cause of weight loss
Depression is a mental disorder manifested by a sharp and persistent decrease in mood, motor retardation, negative perception of reality and one's own personality. One of the signs of depression is a violation of taste perception, as a result - a decrease in appetite and a sharp 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 discomfort in the abdomen.
What to do if you find yourself showing signs of depression? Without delay, consult a doctor. Anyone. Start with a therapist. Depression is difficult to cope on your own, and it cannot resist drug treatment and psychotherapy . In the neglected version, depression can lead to exhaustion. and 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 an intensification of metabolism and fast weight loss. For example, patients with hyperthyroidism, along with anxiety, excitability, palpitations, dry skin, as a rule, have insufficient body weight with a sharply increased appetite.
What to do? Run to the endocrinologist and take a biochemical blood test and a blood test for the hormones of the pituitary gland, adrenal glands, thyroid gland.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract lead to weight loss
In this list, 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 a violation of the digestion of food, and the accompanying abdominal pain, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea discourage the desire to eat. The growing deficiency of vitamins and microelements leads to dry skin, fragility and hair loss, thinning nails, bleeding gums.
What to do, if weight loss is combined with abdominal discomfort and signs of hypovitaminosis? Contact and get tested. Only treatment of the underlying disease will 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, which causes a violation of the flow of their enzymes into the intestine. The lack of digestive juices leads to insufficient digestion 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 greasy film on the surface of the 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 complete examination and treatment. Enzyme preparations will help normalize digestion.
It is impossible to exclude such causes of weight loss as viral hepatitis or HIV, moreover, it is weight loss that sometimes becomes the first symptom of the disease.
Another infectious cause of weight loss is tuberculosis. In addition to the fact that against the background of intoxication, patients lose their appetite, the fight against infection requires a huge expenditure of energy, and the body takes it from its own reserves. Frequent coughing, constant subfebrile body temperature, sweating, weakness should lead to the idea of tuberculosis and become a reason for an extraordinary examination.
Helminthiases, despite popular belief, rarely lead to severe weight loss. Exceptions are cases when the number of helminths "rolls over", and their presence becomes the cause of intoxication and indigestion.
There is such a thing as cancer cachexia - a state 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 disturbed, 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 experience a lack of them. In addition, the substances secreted by the tumor have a toxic effect on the tissues of the body, slowing down their metabolic processes and leading them to atrophy. As a result, with a normal diet, a cancer patient begins to lose weight, and loses only fat, but also muscle mass.
The presence of constant weakness and subfebrile temperature, combined with unmotivated weight loss, should be a reason to see a doctor. Start with, if necessary, he will refer you to an oncologist. In this situation, only complex treatment will help.
It's one thing if you manage to get rid of extra pounds thanks to hard exercise and diet, but it is quite different when weight loss occurs quickly without any changes in lifestyle. In this case, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible for examination and consultation. The presence of a serious disease can 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 a sharp weight loss.
With diabetes, a person can both gain excess weight and suddenly lose kilograms. Weight loss in diabetes occurs mainly for two reasons. First, due to frequent urination, the body loses a lot of water. And secondly, because of blood sugar, the body absorbs calories worse. In addition, with a lack of insulin, the body begins to burn fat for energy, thereby causing an overall weight loss.
Significant weight loss is a common symptom in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, according to research. Weight loss in diabetes can 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 decreased appetite may indicate thyroid problems, such as hyperthyroidism. With it, there is an 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: heartbeat, hot flashes, excessive sweating, mood swings, depression, panic attacks, bulging eyes, muscle weakness and fatigue.
3. Gastric ulcer
People suffering from peptic ulcers also often suddenly begin to lose weight. At the heart of a stomach ulcer is an inflammation that develops on inside wall of the stomach or upper part of the small intestine. This causes significant pain and leads to loss of appetite. Due to a person's refusal to eat, frequent bouts of nausea and vomiting during a peptic ulcer, weight loss occurs. Some of the more common symptoms of this digestive ailment are feeling full after a few bites of food, bloody stools, chest pains, and 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 to hypoglycemia, in which the levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) decrease.
In addition to decreased 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 with the help of frequent meals of high-calorie foods.
6. Oncological diseases
Unexplained weight loss is one of the first noticeable signs various kinds cancers, including prostate, breast, lung, pancreas, ovarian and colon cancers. The uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells accelerates the metabolism, which wears out the entire body, making the most of its resources. This leads to loss of muscle and fat mass.
When cancer cells begin to spread throughout the body, it can adversely affect the functioning of various internal organs. Cancer can cause chemical changes in the body that make it difficult to gain weight, even with a high-calorie diet.
Cancer treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy, also often lead to weight loss and appetite loss. In addition to this, the treatment causes a lot side effects: nausea, vomiting, ulcers in the oral cavity, which makes the process of eating painful and uncomfortable.
This is an intestinal disease caused by inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract. One of his symptoms is sudden weight loss. This is 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 a loss of enjoyment of food. Other symptoms of the disease: subfebrile temperature, diarrhea, decreased energy, cramps, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
8. Tuberculosis
Unexplained weight loss and decreased appetite are some of the well-known symptoms of TB. 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, tuberculosis includes symptoms such as: 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. These health problems also cause weight loss. A 2005 study by scientists at the London Institute of Psychiatry found that weight loss is often observed even before the onset of the characteristic symptoms of dementia. The accumulation of beta-amyloid (a peptide in the brain) disrupts the body's weight regulation mechanism, resulting in accelerated weight loss and is one of the initial symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
10. HIV infection
HIV-infected people also lose weight quickly. Their the immune system cannot get rid of the virus, which gradually destroys it, and the body ceases to fight infections and diseases. If HIV is not detected and controlled in time, AIDS may develop. In addition to weight loss, signs of such an infection include: night sweats, fever, sore throat and muscles, rashes, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
