sudden weight loss; From cause to treatment
Weight loss is completely normal if it is planned and voluntary. The problem arises when a person suddenly loses weight without a valid and explainable reason and the cause is unknown to him. Sudden weight loss can be a sign of a serious illness. For example, cancer or diabetes; So, if you have this problem, you must take it seriously and think about finding the cause and ways of treatment.
What is meant by sudden weight loss?
Sudden weight loss means weight loss in which the person did not try to lose weight and the weight loss occurs without any reasonable explanation. This type of weight loss did not occur due to dieting, exercise, bodybuilding supplements such as L-carnitine, or lifestyle changes.
Weight loss of 5 kg or more in a period of 6 to 12 months or loss of 5% of total body weight in this period is considered as sudden and unjustified weight loss.
Who is at risk of sudden weight loss?
Sudden weight loss can happen to anyone, but it is more common in people over the age of 65. This type of weight loss may be a sign of a serious illness in older people. However, this problem can be seen in men and women of any age.
Investigating the cause of sudden weight loss
The most important reasons for sudden weight loss can be the following reasons:
hyperthyroidism
When the thyroid gland secretes too much thyroid hormone, a person has hyperthyroidism. This hormone plays a role in controlling body metabolism and affects obesity and thinness. If you have hyperthyroidism, even if your appetite is good, you will burn calories quickly, and as a result, you will experience unwanted weight loss. Fast and irregular heartbeat, anxiety, fatigue, heat intolerance, sleep disturbance, hand tremors and light periods in women can be other symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
If you have lost a lot of weight due to hyperthyroidism and you also exercise, you can go for some types of bodybuilding supplements. One of the most appropriate sports supplements for weight and muscle gain is the Gainer supplement, which consists of carbohydrates and proteins.
diabetes
If you have type 1 diabetes, your immune system attacks the cells of the pancreas that make insulin. In this case, blood sugar increases and the kidneys excrete unused sugar through urine. When sugar is removed from the body, you will also lose weight. Other symptoms of type 1 diabetes include: frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, excessive thirst and hunger.
Inflammatory bowel disease
One of the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease or IBD is sudden weight loss. IBD includes several chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, the two most common types of which are Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. Inflammatory bowel disease causes you to constantly spend energy and as a result lose weight. IBD also contributes to decreased appetite and weight by disrupting hunger and satiety hormones.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
COPD is a progressive lung disease that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and many people have both. Emphysema damages the lungs and makes breathing difficult. Chronic bronchitis also causes mucus, cough and breathing problems with inflammation of the airways.
Tuberculosis is one of the causes of sudden weight loss
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that affects the lungs. This disease is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and causes sudden and unexpected weight loss with a negative effect on appetite. Tuberculosis symptoms include: severe cough for more than 3 weeks, chest pain, coughing up blood with sputum, fatigue, night sweats, fever and chills. People with a weak immune system are more at risk of contracting tuberculosis.
cancer
One of the first signs of cancer can be sudden weight loss. Cancers of the pancreas, lung, stomach and esophagus are associated with unsightly weight loss more than other cancers. By increasing inflammation, muscle wasting and disrupting hormones that regulate appetite, cancer causes calories to be burned even at rest, and as a result, a person loses weight.
Addison’s disease
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In Addison’s disease, the body’s immune system attacks the adrenal glands. In this case, the adrenal glands cannot produce enough hormones such as cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol regulates many functions, including metabolism and appetite, and low levels in the body will lead to decreased appetite and weight loss. Other symptoms of Addison’s disease include low blood pressure, chronic fatigue, muscle weakness, salt cravings, and hyperpigmentation.
AIDS and HIV
HIV attacks the immune cells and in this case it will be difficult for the body to fight the infection. HIV can lead to AIDS if left untreated. AIDS will lead to sudden weight loss.
Heart failure
Sudden weight loss is one of the complications of congestive heart failure. In this disease, the heart cannot pump blood with sufficient force, and one or both sides of the heart are affected. Nausea and early satiety can be symptoms of heart failure. Inflammation in the damaged tissue of the heart accelerates metabolism and causes sudden weight loss.
Other causes of sudden weight loss
In addition to the above, sudden weight loss can be due to the following reasons:
- Endocarditis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- depression
- Arthritic rheumatism
- muscle wasting
- Parkinson’s disease
- Side effects of some drugs
- Parasitic infections
- drug use
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
When to see a doctor for sudden weight loss?
If you lose more than 5% of your body weight unintentionally in a period of 6 to 12 months, you must see a doctor to check the cause of sudden weight loss.
What is the normal weight loss?
Natural weight loss is when you have decided to lose weight. In this case, by having a slimming diet, changing the lifestyle and doing sports exercises, a person should usually lose 0.5 to 1 kg of weight every week. This type of weight loss is normal and completely different from sudden weight loss.
How much weight loss is dangerous?
If you lose more than 3 and a half kilos in a month and start doing unhealthy habits and unprincipled diet to lose weight, this weight loss is really dangerous. Also, if you unintentionally lose more than 2 kilos of weight in a month and you don’t know the reason, you should definitely investigate what is the reason!
What disease causes weight loss?
Cancer, diabetes, overactive thyroid, inflammatory bowel disease, Addison’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, AIDS, digestive problems, celiac disease, depression or anxiety, and dementia can be diseases that lead to sudden weight loss.
Is weight loss a sign of cancer?
No; Sudden weight loss can be a sign of some cancers, but as we said, other diseases can also lead to sudden weight loss. So, if you experience unexpected weight loss, it does not necessarily mean that you have cancer. Various causes can be involved.
Sudden weight loss treatment
We examined the causes of sudden weight loss in this article. It seems quite clear that the treatment of unexpected weight loss should be done by considering its cause. That is, if the cause is hyperthyroidism, it should definitely be treated, and if the cause is some kind of cancer, it should be cured.
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