If there is a clear and healthy reason then weight loss is normal. However, it is also common to lose weight if you have a serious disease. An unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more should be investigated by a doctor. This leaflet lists some of the more common causes of unintentional weight loss. Some people with unintentional weight loss as a first symptom actually have one or more symptoms if they were questioned about them.
Weight loss is sometimes the first symptom noticed by the person, relative or friend.
Unexplained Weight Loss
In the vast majority of cases of cancer , other symptoms will develop before any weight loss. The first signs of cancer depend on the type and site of the cancer. However, occasionally, weight loss is the first symptom noticed. The weight loss is partly due to the increased activity of cancer cells in the body that require nutrition. Weight loss in more advanced cancer is due to various combined factors. However, there are no changes in the guidance version which relate to pancreatic, oesophageal, stomach or lung cancer. See Further Reading reference below.
What is Pediatric and Adolescent Abnormal Weight Loss?
Type 2 diabetes occurs mainly in people aged over 40, although it can occur at younger ages. The four common symptoms are being thirsty a lot of the time, passing large amounts of urine, tiredness and weight loss.
Some people pass off the first three symptoms to do with other things, or 'getting older'. So, weight loss is sometimes the first thing reported to a doctor.
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The weight loss is partly due to the sugar glucose that is passed out with the urine. Depression has a number of symptoms. However, some people do not recognise that they have depression. They may feel low and not right but cannot say why. They may even think of it as just normal for them. Many people with depression can hide their true feelings from friends and family. Weight loss may develop due to not eating much. It is sometimes friends or family who may actually notice that a person has lost weight and it then turns out to be due to depression.
Anxiety can be associated with weight loss or weight gain. While some people react to stress by comfort eating, others may experience a reduced appetite. Anxiety and depression often occur together, and the depressive features may result in reduced food intake.
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Smokers may find they respond to stress by smoking more; nicotine can be a potent appetite suppressant. Some people may resort to alcohol to combat anxiety and this may also be associated with weight loss see below. Some people who drink a lot of alcohol do not look after themselves very well. Their diet may not be very good and they may lose weight. However, they may be in denial about an alcohol problem. It may be friends or family who actually notice that the person has lost weight.
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Indeed, this is a way that a hidden alcohol problem in some people comes to light. Family and friends may show concern about weight loss and not be aware that the person has an alcohol problem. Hyperthyroidism means that you make too much of a hormone called thyroxine. The extra thyroxine causes many of your body's functions to speed up.
There are lots of possible symptoms such as:. Another typical symptom is losing weight despite an increased appetite. This may be a first symptom. However, again, some of the other symptoms that may occur, such as being restless, nervous, emotional or irritable, may just be put down to a stressful time of life or to your personality.
In the early stages of hyperthyroidism some people actually feel well and full of energy and don't realise they have a problem but lose weight. It would be unusual not to have other symptoms with a chronic infection. But, occasionally, the first symptom that is noticed with infections such as tuberculosis or HIV is weight loss. Hookworm infection of the gut is another example where weight loss may be the first indication of disease. Hookworm is a very common problem worldwide but rare in the UK. Likewise, there are various conditions that cause persistent inflammation of a part or parts of the body.
Common Causes of Unintentional Weight Loss - Family Medical Centers
Again, other symptoms would be usual. Treatment often involves a multidisciplinary approach such as medications, dietary and lifestyle modification education, counseling and behavioral modification, says Jun. Other symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst or urination, sweats, fatigue, and numbness.
Your primary care doctor can do blood glucose testing to determine if you have diabetes, especially if you have a family history of diabetes. According to the American Cancer Society , unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more is one of the most common symptoms of with cancers of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus, or lung. You should talk with your doctor about risk factors for cancer, like smoking, alcohol intake, and your family history. United States.
Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories. George Doyle Getty Images. Emily Shiffer Emily Shiffer is a freelance health and wellness writer living in Pennsylvania.
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