Reasons for continuous weight loss

Continuous weight loss

Unexplained weight loss without the person's desire or attempt to lose weight - especially if the decrease is significant or continuous - is a sign of an underlying medical problem. Many doctors agree that a medical evaluation should be done if a person has lost more than 5% of their weight within six months to a year. For example, a loss of 3.6 kilograms from a person who weighs 72 kilograms is a matter that requires a doctor's review for evaluation. It should be said that body weight is affected by many factors, including: the amount of calories a person eats, level of activity, general health, age, ability to absorb nutrients, and economic and social factors.

Reasons for continuous weight loss

Weight loss can result from many reasons, including the following:

Hyperthyroidism: Thyroid hormones control many functions in the body, including metabolism. Hyperthyroidism causes you to burn more calories too quickly, which leads to unintentional weight loss despite having a good appetite. Other symptoms of hyperthyroidism include: increased and irregular heartbeat, anxiety, fatigue, heat intolerance, sleep problems, tremors of the hands, and lack of menstrual bleeding. Hyperthyroidism may be caused by Graves' disease, thyroiditis, too much iodine, and too much thyroid medication.
Rheumatoid arthritis: (English: Rheumatoid arthritis), which is an autoimmune disease that results from the immune system attacking the joints, which leads to inflammation, and the chronic inflammation that accompanies this disease can speed up the metabolism and reduce overall weight. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include; Swelling of the affected joints, feeling pain in them, and joint stiffness if you do not move for an hour or more. The exact cause of arthritis is not known, but it is related to age, genetics, hormonal changes, smoking, both active and passive, and obesity.
Type XNUMX diabetes: Type XNUMX diabetes results from the immune system attacking the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. The function of insulin is to enable the body to use glucose for energy. Other symptoms of type XNUMX diabetes include frequent urination, dehydration, fatigue, blurry vision, extreme thirst, and excessive hunger.
Inflammatory bowel diseases: (in English: inflammatory bowel disease); It is a term that includes many chronic inflammatory disorders that affect the digestive system and includes two types of diseases: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Inflammatory bowel diseases cause continuous energy use, which causes continuous weight loss, and it affects many hormones that regulate the process of feeling hunger and satiety. Additional symptoms of the disease include diarrhea, stomach pain, bloating, bloody stools, and fatigue.
tuberculosis: (in English: (Tuberculosis, (TB)), infection with tuberculosis occurs as a result of infection with a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria that affects the lungs, and weight loss and decreased appetite are among the main symptoms of tuberculosis. It should be said that tuberculosis spreads through the air. It includes Other symptoms of tuberculosis: a cough that can last for three weeks or more, chest pain, coughing up blood or sputum, fatigue, night sweats, chills, and a high temperature. Hodgkin's disease, HIV-infected patients, people who have undergone an organ transplant, it may also affect people who take drugs and people who suffer from low body weight.
cancer: Cancer occurs as a result of abnormal cells dividing rapidly and spreading. Weight loss of more than 5 kilograms is considered one of the first signs of cancer, especially in the case of cancer of the pancreas, lung, stomach and esophagus. The weight loss associated with cancer is explained by the increase in inflammation inside the body as a result of cancer, which promotes muscle wasting and disrupts appetite-regulating hormones. In addition, the growth of cancer cells consumes more body energy. Early symptoms of cancer include: fever, fatigue, pain, and skin changes. It is worth noting that some types of cancer may not cause clear and specific symptoms.
Congestive heart failure: (in English: congestive heart failure); Congestive heart failure results from the heart's inability to pump enough blood, which results in not getting enough blood to the digestive tract. This leads to early nausea and fullness, in addition to difficulty breathing while eating. Other symptoms of congestive heart failure include: shortness of breath, persistent cough, swelling, feeling tired, and a fast heartbeat.

Diagnosis of persistent weight loss

The underlying causes of unintended weight loss are diagnosed by reviewing the patient's medical history, looking for risk factors for several medical conditions, and conducting a physical examination. Based on the doctor's findings, he may recommend further tests and radiological studies. These tests and radiological studies include: