Weight Management 3 MIN READ 2049 VIEWS March 31, 2022

Reasons Behind Sudden Weight Loss

Sudden weight loss

Unexplained sudden weight loss can be a real concern. It indicates an underlying condition and you must see a doctor if you have lost more than 5 percent of your weight in 6 to 12 months. While it is common to experience weight loss due to stress or other events, you must look out for other symptoms of sudden weight loss and inform your doctor.

Sudden Weight Loss Causes

Here are some of the main reasons behind sudden weight loss:

1. Muscle Loss

One of the major unexpected weight loss causes include loss of muscles from the body. The major symptom is muscle weakness and it can be a result of any injury, age, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or due to nerve damage. If you don’t use your muscles for a while, don’t exercise, continue to sit in one place, or are sick and bedridden, you may lose muscle which means weight loss. With proper exercise and nutrition, you will be able to reverse muscle loss as well as the sudden weight loss experienced by you.

2. Overactive Thyroid

Speaking of sudden weight loss reasons, you must be aware of hyperthyroidism. It develops when your thyroid gland produces excess amounts of thyroid hormone which controls several functions in the body, including metabolism. If your thyroid is overactive, you will likely burn more calories and lose weight unintentionally. You may experience symptoms such as irregular heart rate, anxiety, fatigue, sleep troubles, light periods in women, etc.

3. Diabetes

If you have type 1 diabetes, you may notice sudden weight loss. This happens because your immune system attacks the cells in your pancreas that make insulin and your body can’t use glucose for energy. This causes high blood glucose. Your kidneys remove unused glucose through urine. As sugar leaves your body, so do calories.

4. Depression

Depression is one of the main sudden weight loss causes, and is defined as feeling sad, lost, or empty for a period of at least two weeks. These emotions interfere with daily activities, such as going to work or school. Depression affects the same parts of the brain that control appetite. This can lead to poor appetite and eventually, sudden weight loss.

5. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Unexpected weight loss may be a symptom of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). It also includes several chronic inflammatory disorders of the digestive tract. This results in decreased appetite and weight loss. There may be other symptoms like diarrhoea and fatigue which makes you lose the urge to eat.

6. Endocarditis

Endocarditis causes inflammation of your heart’s inner lining. This condition happens due to germs entering the bloodstream and getting collected in your heart. People suffering from endocarditis also have fever and that leads to a poor appetite, making it one of the major sudden weight loss reasons.

 7. Tuberculosis

Another sudden weight loss cause is tuberculosis (TB). It is a contagious condition that affects the lungs, and is one of the major causes of weight loss in females as well as males.

8. Cancer

The first and major sign that indicates you may have cancer is unexplained sudden weight loss. This is common if you have cancer of the pancreas, lung, stomach, and oesophagus. The appetite-regulating hormones are disrupted, and cause unexpected weight loss. Certain cancer treatment includes surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy which again interferes with your appetite.

9. Addison’s Disease

In case of Addison’s disease, your immune system attacks the adrenal glands and does not allow them to make enough hormones such as cortisol which regulates metabolism and appetite. 

10. Congestive heart failure

Weight loss all of a sudden can be a result of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). If you have CHF, your digestive system may not be able to receive enough blood. This leads to nausea and the feeling of fullness. You may also find it hard to breathe while eating. The inflammation in damaged heart tissue also speeds up metabolism, causing unintentional weight loss.

Conclusion

Compared to women, men have a higher risk of endocarditis, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer. Women, on the other hand, are prone to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – another factor for sudden weight loss. It is normal for your body weight to fluctuate but if you are losing weight without changing your habits, it may be an alarming situation which requires medical attention. Therefore, you must be able to identify your weight loss reasons, and consult a doctor in case you are able to figure it out.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sudden Weight Loss

If you suddenly lose more than 5% of your body weight within 6-12 months, it is considered as sudden weight loss. You should pay a visit to your doctor if you experience the same.

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