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Reasons for Rapid Weight Loss
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There are several possible causes of unexplained weight loss. Some, such as cancer, can be very serious, but early detection can improve outcomes. Medications, infections, and digestive disorders top the lists of possible reasons for weight loss. The important thing is not to ignore this warning symptom and to correct nutritional deficiencies.
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The First Step is a Comprehensive Health History
The answers to questions such as when did the weight loss start, how much weight has been lost, has diet or activity level changed, have there been changes in mood, or in bladder or bowel habits, and any other symptoms will provide clues that help a doctor decide what tests are warranted. A physical exam and laboratory findings, such as tests on blood and urine, or scans using X-rays or ultrasound, may be needed to rule out obvious possibilities and decide the next step based on results.
Test Results Determine Treatment
Sudden weight loss may be a warning sign of cancer. Liver cancer is more common in men between ages 50 to 60 than women, as is pancreatic cancer, which is the fourth leading cause of cancer in men. Malignant growths in the colon, lung, and some forms of leukemia can also affect the ability of the intestines to absorb nutrients. Physical examination and diagnostic tests can detect cancer. Options for treatment may include chemotherapy and radiation.
Unexplained weight loss may also be one symptom of hyperthyroidism, or anorexia nervosa. These are conditions that are more common in women than men. Most people who start smoking will experience an initial loss of appetite. Medications used to treat obesity or adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (AADHD) suppress appetite and may result in the loss of several pounds, at least until a tolerance develops. Drugs of abuse, such as amphetamine derivatives (methamphetamine) and cocaine are extremely addictive and can cause dramatic weight loss. Other chemical dependencies, such as alcoholism or narcotic addiction, can lead to malnutrition over time.
Many Digestive Diseases Lead to Weight Loss
Inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Chron’s disease, are characterized by abdominal pain and watery or sometimes bloody diarrhea. They, along with celiac disease, an inflammatory response to dietary gluten, are genetically linked. It is sometimes difficult for doctors to diagnose these diseases. Diverticulosis is the formation of pouches in the bowel, possibly due to chronic constipation. If the pouches become infected the disorder is called diverticulitis.
Pancreatitis is more common in men who have a history of excessive alcohol consumption or who have gallstones, and in women who are obese and over the age of 40. Left-sided abdominal pain, especially after meals, and appetite loss are characteristic of pancreatitis. Another disorder, peptic ulcers, occurs when the lining of the stomach or intestines is eroded and infected by H-pylori bacteria. Risk factors include smoking, alcoholism, and frequent use of over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication such as ASPIRIN® or ibuprofen.
Undiagnosed or untreated insulin dependent diabetes, also known as type 1 or juvenile diabetes, causes weight loss because the body cannot metabolize glucose. Other symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst and urination and night sweats. While type 2 diabetes is characterized by weight gain and may be controllable with diet and exercise, type 1 diabetes must be managed with daily injections of insulin, the hormone responsible for glucose absorption, and strict dietary observations. Blood sugar monitoring must be done frequently for both disorders. Although any family doctor will be able to diagnose type 1 diabetes, a complete workup should be done by a specialist in metabolic disorders, also known as an endocrinologist.
Infectious Diseases Can Lead to Malnutrition
Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious disease and a serious public health problem. Spread by breathing the same air as infected persons, TB strains are now becoming drug-resistant and are a problem in institutions with crowded populations, such as prisons or shelters. Symptoms of weight loss may accompany chills, fever, cough, and fatigue. A positive skin test does not necessarily mean that TB is active, the disease often remains latent and non-contagious. To confirm active tuberculosis, a chest X-ray is diagnostic. HIV infection, a sexually transmitted disease, can manifest as weight loss with abdominal pain and shortness of breath as long as 10 years after exposure. An anonymous blood or saliva test can be done to check for antibodies that indicate infection.
Reference:
U.S. National Library of Medicine