Natural Health Alternatives Blog

Unexplained Weight Loss - A Cause for Concern 

Losing weight intentionally through exercise and diet is a dream of many individuals. But an unexplained weight loss can be a sign of an underlying illness, which can decrease muscle mass, fat and body fluids, which is a cause of concern. People over the age of 65 are at a higher risk of losing body weight due to a serious medical condition. Weight loss is considered normal when you are following a diet regime or exercise or are taking weight loss medications for weight gain or obesity. Weight loss is also quite normal after pregnancy. If it occurs regardless of these occurrences, then it is time to seek professional medical help. 

What are the Causes and Symptoms?

Change in your lifestyle or stress can cause weight loss. So how to ascertain if your weight loss is serious? Check if you have lost more than 5% of your body weight without trying in the last 6 months or so. If that is so, get in touch with a health care professional immediately and discuss your symptoms.

Here are some potential non-medical and medical causes for unexplained weight loss.

•    Cancer

•    Celiac disease

•    Change in appetite, diet, sense of smell or taste

•    Crohn’s disease

•    Dementia

•    Dental issues

•    Addison’s disease

•    Depression

•    Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

•    HIV/AIDS

•    Hyperthyroidism/ Hypothyroidism

•    Parkinson’s disease

•    Endocarditis

•    Congestive Heart Failure

•    Tuberculosis

•    Ulcerative colitis

•    Peptic ulcer

•    Muscle loss due to osteoarthritis, rheumatic arthritis, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis and nerve damage

It is quite normal to lose weight when dealing with the stress of changing jobs, bereavement, divorce or redundancy. Eating disorders can also be a significant cause of unexplained weight loss. You should be on a lookout for symptoms such as tiredness, change in your toilet schedule, loss of appetite and an increase in infection of any other illness. 

What are the Diagnosis and Treatments?

To diagnose an underlying medical condition, your doctor may ask you several questions which may revolve around you feeling tired, stressed, having dental problems, swallowing problems, fainting episodes, diarrhoea, increased thirst, depression, vomiting episodes, change in eating patterns, change in medications, dealing with sickness or an infection recently, change in physical activity and drinking more alcohol than usual. The doctor then may prescribe blood work or any other imaging scans as deemed necessary depending on your symptoms. Each medical condition has its own treatment. For example, if weight loss is occurring due to hyperthyroidism, then the doctor may prescribe radioactive iodine, surgery or beta blockers. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, then you may be treated with Janus associated kinase inhibitors, biologics and corticosteroids. Each medical condition has its own accompanying drugs, treatments and their side effects. A good rule of thumb will be early diagnosis and identifying a particular medical condition through a chemistry panel, faecal occult blood test, a complete blood count, ultrasensitive thyroid-stimulating hormone test and urinalysis. Most treatments include appetite stimulants, which may have side effects such as confusion, hallucinations, and mood swings ad drowsiness. However, appetite stimulants are not considered a primary treatment options. Instead, treatment of underlying medical conditions and nutritional interventions are considered better options as an appetite stimulant will do nothing for treating weight loss if the problem is depression, undiagnosed diabetes or even poorly fitting dentures.