Some people suffer from sudden weight loss without following a specific diet for this purpose, and while some people feel happy when they lose some weight thinking that their health condition is improving, what is true is that one must pay attention and be careful about losing weight, as it occurs suddenly and without A change in diet may be a serious and worrying indicator.
A report published by the American website “Health Shots”, and viewed by “Al Arabiya.net”, concluded that there are ten possible reasons for sudden weight loss, and most of these ten cases are serious diseases that should not be ignored, but rather action must be taken immediately to discover and treat them.
According to a study published in the journal (PubMed Journal), at least 72 percent of patients who suffer from unexplained weight loss suffer from an underlying disease, which is why anyone suffering from this condition should consult a doctor immediately.
A sudden decrease in body weight occurs when a person is not trying to lose weight, but rather the weight loss occurs unjustified, as the sudden weight loss does not occur due to diet, exercise, or lifestyle change.
Dr. Tushar Tayal, a specialist in internal medicine, says that a medical evaluation is necessary if a person loses more than 5 percent of his weight within 6 to 12 months, without making any effort to lose weight.
According to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, weight loss can result from a combination of medical, psychological and social factors as well as age-related changes.
The Health Shots report concluded that sudden weight loss may occur as a result of one of the following ten reasons:
Firstly: Hyperthyroidism, where the thyroid gland produces the hormone thyroxine, which controls metabolism. Sometimes autoimmune disorders or viral infections can cause the thyroid to become overactive, leading to overproduction of thyroid hormone called hyperthyroidism, which can cause significant weight loss.
secondly: Diabetes: There are two main types of diabetes: type 1, which is an autoimmune condition, and type 2, which usually appears later in life as a result of inappropriate insulin synthesis or processing. In addition to gestational diabetes, which doctors consider to be the third type, which appears during pregnancy and is transient. Both types of diabetes can cause unexplained weight loss, but type 1 diabetes is more likely to cause it.
Third: Mood disorder: People with mood disorders such as anxiety and depression may experience loss of appetite, leading to decreased food intake and weight loss.
Fourthly: Cancer, according to a previously published study, weight loss may be the first symptom of blood cancers, lymphoma, lung cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, and pancreatic cancer. The recurrence of an early-stage tumor (such as breast cancer) can also lead to sudden weight loss.
Fifth: Addison’s disease, Addison’s disease is an endocrine condition characterized by difficulties in the adrenal glands located above each kidney. These glands produce essential hormones, or chemical messengers, such as cortisol. The absence of these hormones in Addison’s disease may lead to weight loss, fatigue, and other symptoms.
Sixthly: Stress. Stressful life events such as divorce, death of a family member, or financial problems can cause you to lose your appetite, skip meals, or eat less than usual.
Seventh: Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to wrongly target healthy cells. It can impair the body’s ability to absorb nutrients and create digestive problems. Lupus often causes loss of appetite.
Eighth: Neurological disorder, as sudden weight loss is a common sign of neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s disease.
Ninth: Kidney failure. Loss of appetite and nausea can lead to weight loss, but a shift in fluid retention may also occur in a person with kidney disease.
Tenth: Alcohol and drug abuse, as decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, mental health problems, and lifestyle changes can contribute to weight loss in individuals suffering from alcohol use disorders. Malnutrition can also occur as a result of severe liver disease in people with long-term alcohol use disorders, which may lead to weight loss.
