Unexplained weight loss: You need to pay attention

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For healthy people, sudden 5% body weight loss is not normal. Therefore, people with rapid, unexplained weight loss need to have a general health check-up to confirm their health status.

1. What is considered unexplained weight loss?

Unexplained weight loss is a 5% decrease in body weight from total weight within 6 to 12 months without any medical or health problems. In this case, you need to see a doctor right away, because natural weight loss can be a sign of a medical condition.

2. Unexplained weight loss is a sign of what disease?

2.1. Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which thyroid hormone is secreted too much, which accelerates the metabolism, causing the heart to beat faster, to worry more, to have more bowel movements. All these activities cause the body to need to burn more calories, causing rapid weight loss.
Therefore, you need to see a doctor if there are signs of hyperthyroidism to be consulted by a doctor for treatment measures. Usually, you will be given medication or surgically removed part or all of your thyroid gland depending on the condition.

2.2 Diabetes

Insulin is a hormone that converts blood sugar into energy. If you have diabetes, insulin is not made or used properly.
When cells run out of energy, it signals to burn fat and muscle mass to convert into usable energy causing you to lose weight. Besides, diabetes also makes you easily feel tired, hungry, thirsty, urinate a lot. Therefore, you should see a doctor if symptoms of diabetes appear to come up with an appropriate treatment plan.

2.3. Celiac disease

Celiac disease aka gluten intolerance, a protein found in wheat and other grains. When you eat foods that contain gluten, the immune system creates a suppressive response. This causes inflammation and inability to produce the lining of the small intestine, which reduces nutrient absorption, causing weight loss. In addition, celiac disease can cause headaches, itching, mouth sores, and joint pain. Therefore, if signs of celiac disease appear, you need to see a doctor for instructions to follow a gluten-free diet, limiting disease symptoms.

2.4. Medicine

Some drugs when entering the body can increase metabolism, increase calorie burning or suppress the hunger response, for example:
Stimulants Chemotherapy drugs Antidepressants Antidepressants Type 2 diabetes You need to see your doctor if you experience loss of appetite or sudden weight loss while taking a new medication.

2.5. Stress

Life stresses such as unemployment, divorce or death of a loved one can cause rapid weight loss. If you can't regulate your mood on your own, seek help from family, friends, a doctor, or a psychologist. They will support you through the tough times of getting your mood and weight back into balance.

2.6. Lupus

Lupus is a condition in which the immune system attacks normal body tissues. Lupus can cause weight loss by stimulating the digestive system and making it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients from food. In addition, lupus also causes fatigue, pain or stiffness, and a butterfly-shaped rash on the face. Your doctor can help relieve your lupus symptoms with medications, diet, and lifestyle changes.

2.7. Addison's disease

Addison's disease causes the adrenal glands to not make enough of the hormone cortisol. As a result, it causes stomach problems such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss. Therefore, if you have symptoms of addison's disease, you need to see a doctor to be controlled with drugs.

2.8. Cancer

Cancer cells can use more energy than healthy cells. They can also produce chemicals that change the function of the digestive system, causing the immune system to work harder. This causes the body to burn more calories, leading to weight loss.

2.9. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) damages the air sacs in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe and cough a lot of phlegm. This causes the body to need to create more calories to support the functioning of the respiratory system. Besides, COPD also causes fatigue and loss of appetite, causing weight loss in people with the disease.

2.10. Heart failure

Heart failure reduces the efficiency of blood ejection from the arteries, causing anemia in the organs including the digestive system, causing digestive system dysfunction. This can make you feel full even without eating and can cause stomach problems. Eventually, the body is unable to get rid of water and other fluids that build up in the intestines, reducing the ability to absorb nutrients.
People with heart failure should limit their salt intake and may be prescribed a diuretic by their doctor to remove fluid from the body, helping to limit edema and increase nutrient absorption.

2.11. Dementia

Dementia reduces the ability to think and act due to memory loss. In the later stages, the patient may lose weight due to forgetting to eat or having difficulty chewing or swallowing. Of note, chronic infections, special diets, and medications can make it worse.
Unexplained weight loss is most likely a sign of a medical condition. Therefore, to ensure health, when finding that there may be abnormal weight loss, patients should go to medical facilities for examination and general health check. Detecting and treating the disease at an early stage gives a better chance of treating the disease later on.
Periodic health check-ups help to detect diseases early, so that there are treatment plans for optimal results. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has general health checkup packages suitable for each age, gender and individual needs of customers with a reasonable price policy.
The patient's examination results will be returned to the home. After receiving the results of the general health examination, if you detect diseases that require intensive examination and treatment, you can use services from other specialties at the Hospital with quality treatment and services. outstanding customer service.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: webmd.com