What disease causes women to lose weight? Reasons for weight loss: sudden loss of body weight
General information
Weight loss is a common symptom of weight loss disorders. Sudden weight loss is called emaciation or cachexia (the latter term is more often used to denote extreme exhaustion). Moderate weight loss can be not only a symptom of a disease, but also a variant of the norm, due to the constitutional characteristics of the body, for example, in people with an asthenic body type.
Causes
Depression. One of the most common reasons for sudden weight loss. People suffering from depression have impaired taste perception. Any food seems tasteless, appetite decreases. In addition, neuroses and depression are often accompanied by exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastritis. Discomfort after eating worsens symptoms.
Hormonal imbalances. Hormones of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pituitary gland and pancreas are responsible for the intensity of metabolism in the body, so problems with these endocrine organs immediately affect weight. In patients with hyperthyroidism and diabetes mellitus Type 1 body weight decreases, despite increased appetite. Such diseases are accompanied by weakness, dry skin, increased heart rate and mood disorders.
Gastrointestinal diseases. Weight loss is caused by some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The “suspect list” includes enterocolitis, atrophic gastritis and celiac disease. These diseases lead to atrophy of the gastric and intestinal mucosa, resulting in impaired absorption of nutrients, which leads to weight loss. Symptoms may vary: pain, bloating, heaviness, diarrhea or constipation. A lack of vitamins and microelements can manifest itself in the form of anemia, dry skin, brittle nails, and bleeding gums.
Diseases of the pancreas and gall bladder. Body weight decreases in chronic pancreatitis and chronic cholecystitis. Due to these diseases, digestion is disrupted and the body loses the ability to absorb certain nutrients. Patients feel discomfort after eating, nausea, diarrhea appear, and with cholecystitis - pain in the right hypochondrium. The stool changes consistency and becomes greasy.
Another reason for weight loss may be tuberculosis. Patients lose their appetite; in addition, the body spends a lot of energy fighting the infectious agent. In addition to weight loss, classic signs of pulmonary tuberculosis are a prolonged cough with sputum production, as well as a prolonged rise in temperature above 37 ° C, general weakness and night sweats.
Oncological diseases are often accompanied by significant weight loss and deterioration of the general condition of patients - cancer cachexia. Patients lose their appetite and their taste perception is impaired. Metabolic pathologies arise - muscle mass and the volume of adipose tissue decrease even with adequate nutrition. In addition, psychological factors can cause weight loss: patients with a newly confirmed diagnosis lose weight due to developing depression. Chemotherapy also causes temporary weight loss.
Weight loss is one of the main symptoms of lymphoma and lymphogranulomatosis. In addition to weight loss, these diseases are indicated by painless enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits and groin. With leukemia, weight loss is also observed.
Many people dream of losing excess weight so they can fit into their favorite jeans or feel free to wear a swimsuit. Losing weight is often a goal for many women. But weight loss, however, can also be a symptom of many diseases. Therefore, if you notice that you are quickly losing weight for no apparent reason, be careful.
Sometimes a person loses weight without wanting it, and wonders: “why am I losing weight for no reason?” Weight loss that is not the result of your efforts (diet, exercise) is an undesirable condition. We are talking about a situation where weight decreases significantly as a result of a lack of nutrients in the body.
Shortage useful substances occurs due to poor nutrition or increased energy needs of the body for various reasons, such as intense physical activity, illness, injury, surgery, stress and much more.
Types of weight loss
The main reason why a person loses weight is due to insufficient nutrient intake. This applies to protein, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and microelements. Based on the above, weight loss can be divided into several types:
- Weight loss from lack of energy and protein. In this case, the body turns to the reserve, if there is one. The first step is to use fat reserves. If the weight loss process drags on, the body will begin to use proteins. In extreme cases, with uncontrolled weight loss, it can lead to loss of muscle mass. In addition to using up reserves, the body simultaneously decreases its basic energy needs, which over time reduces them to a minimum (this is the main reason why losing weight on purpose and consciously is not so easy). The man looks unhealthily thin. Such weight loss can be caused by hunger strike, lack of appetite, poor nutrition, indigestion;
- Weight loss with sufficient energy intake, but insufficient protein (especially those containing the so-called essential amino acids, which the body cannot produce itself). This type of weight loss can occur if the body has an increased demand for protein intake. We are talking about a condition caused by multiple injuries (car accident, fall), burns, bedsores;
- Thinness caused by lack of protein. Of course, this fact is a direct threat to the developing organism, especially in young children. Therefore, it is important to monitor your diet and ensure proper intake of nutrients. People who eat insufficient protein may appear normal at first glance, but are critically ill inside.
Etiology of weight loss
Undesirable weight loss is inherent in many pathological conditions:
- 1. Psychiatric diagnosis. This may include depression, bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder, and various types of dementia. If a person is sick, he automatically reduces the amount of food he eats, suffers from loss of appetite, or simply forgets to eat. Eating disorders represent a separate category of causes of weight loss. The most striking weight loss is accompanied by anorexia, as well as bulimia. Although weight loss in such cases is desirable, it is caused by a certain disease that can lead to serious health problems or even death.
- 2. Tumor diseases. It is a known fact that people with cancer lose weight quickly and greatly. Tumor cells are very active and consume more nutrients than healthy tissue cells. Cancer also activates many substances that are involved in metabolism, the functioning of the hormonal and nervous systems. This can lead to the rapid destruction of fat deposits and muscle structures, and on the other hand, it weakens appetite and increases the feeling of satiety. The result of this is not only significant weight loss, but also excruciating suffering for the patient.
- 3. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. This could be a tumor or inflammatory process that reduces the intestines' ability to absorb nutrients. Such processes are most often accompanied by vomiting or prolonged diarrhea. Diseases that cause a person to lose weight sharply include ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, gastrointestinal cancer, and Crohn's disease. There are also diseases that cause food industry shortages. These are diseases of the liver, gall bladder and pancreas. Do not forget about disorders in the oral cavity, pain and problems with teeth, and swallowing disorders.
- 4. Functional disorders of the endocrine glands. The thyroid gland and its increased functionality are often mentioned here. People lose weight as a result of a fast metabolism. Characteristic features of hyperthyroidism may include restlessness, rapid heartbeat, trembling, and profuse sweating. A person loses a lot of kilograms, despite the amount of food consumed. The process of losing weight can also be caused by dysfunction of the adrenal glands.
- 5. Diabetes of both types. In addition to involuntary weight loss, doctors and therapists strongly recommend losing a few kilograms. This will significantly reduce the dose of insulin, and sometimes completely cure. Losing weight must be done under the supervision of a specialist. Frequent urination and thirst may also indicate diabetes.
- 6. Multiple organ failure. This applies to dysfunction of the liver, kidneys or heart. In addition, a disease such as obstructive pulmonary disease is accompanied by weight loss.
- 7. Infectious diseases. As with tumor diseases, the immune system is activated, and a feeling of satiety appears. During a long period of illness, even with minor symptoms, a person may suddenly begin to lose weight. Significant weight loss is typical of AIDS or tuberculosis.
- 8. Inflammatory, allergic and autoimmune diseases can also be accompanied by pathological weight loss. Common symptoms include nausea, nonspecific abdominal pain, impaired absorption of nutrients, and increased temperature, which leads to an acceleration of metabolism. A person who has lost weight is in a negative energy balance.
- 9. Excessive use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Buerger's disease, caused by blockage of blood vessels due to tobacco abuse, leads to weight loss in the limbs. Legs and arms lose weight due to atrophy of subcutaneous fat.
Most often, the reason for weight loss is discovered by chance during a medical examination.
Risk group
Weight loss may also be accompanied by other symptoms: weakness, fatigue, mood swings, lack of appetite, inability to swallow, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. In some cases, a person may experience symptoms such as pain, fever. To complete the picture, it should be noted which category of people is at risk of weight loss:
Anorexia nervosa in girls is a disease of modern society
Necessary examinations
Remember that you should not engage in self-diagnosis and self-medication. For a correct diagnosis, you should contact a qualified specialist. To do this, it is necessary to conduct a number of studies:
- blood tests for hematocrit, hemoglobin, c-reactive protein, which reflects inflammatory processes. To this should be added urine and stool analysis;
- Ultrasound of the necessary organs, gastroscopy, colonoscopy in case of suspicion that the cause of weight loss is in the digestive tract;
- It is also desirable to add targeted screening of the kidneys, heart, and lungs;
- do not forget about possible mental disorders. A psychiatric examination will help to understand this issue.
Everyone can experience weight loss for various reasons. If you experience nausea, fatigue, weakness and poor health with weight loss, do not hesitate to visit a doctor for an objective assessment of the current situation.
Sudden and severe weight loss is no less alarming than weight gain. If a person loses more than 5% of his total body weight every week, this negatively affects his overall well-being and appearance. The reasons for losing weight are divided into 2 large groups: general and medical.
A person can cope with common causes on his own or with the help of friends and relatives. As for the second group, it is impossible to do without the help of medical knowledge. Weight loss associated with diseases of organs and systems, is the most life-threatening.
Common reasons for losing weight
It cannot be said that sudden weight loss can be associated solely with the occurrence of pathological processes in the body. There are other reasons for losing weight. Stress and depression, mental tension, phobias and other problems can provoke weight loss. In addition, the worship of a thin body pushes modern girls to follow diets, exhaustion through physical activity, and all this, together with the fast pace of life, leads to severe weight loss.
So, the first group of reasons for weight loss:
- eating disorder:
- phobias;
- diets and even hunger strikes;
- transitional age;
- hormonal imbalances;
- addiction to drugs or alcohol;
- increase in physical activity.
Weight can “jump” during sessions and exams, when moving to a new job, when moving to another country or city, or when falling in love. Sometimes, due to hormonal surges, weight can decrease, although most often the female body accumulates fat deposits and gains extra pounds.
10 diseases that cause weight loss
80% of cases of weight loss are due to medical reasons for weight loss associated with dysfunction of one organ or the entire body. Be careful and watch your weight. In case of a sharp decrease in body weight and deterioration of health, you should immediately consult with specialists and undergo a medical examination.
Oncology - cancer never sleeps
When the color of the skin or sclera of the eyes changes, weight loss, hair loss, and nails break - these are only a small part of the consequences of the first stages of a cancer tumor. The patient may not yet know that a life-threatening formation is growing in the body. And weight loss can significantly speed up the process of identifying pathology. Most often, the patient loses weight with the development of malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas. These diseases can be accompanied by severe weight loss from the first days of tumor onset. As for other types, weight loss may appear after the growth of metastases in the body.
General and first signs of a cancerous tumor:
- failure to heal wounds and ulcers;
- presence of seals;
- disturbance of urination and stool;
- hoarseness of voice, cough;
- weakness;
- change in skin color.
Pulmonary tuberculosis
This disease manifests itself in a rich clinical picture, one of the first symptoms of which is weight loss. Tuberculosis is considered an intractable disease that can only be combated in the early stages. Other signs of tuberculosis include:
- chesty and wet cough;
- bouts of coughing with the release of blood and pus;
- weakness, drowsiness, loss of strength;
- heavy sweating;
- chest pain, runny nose.
Tuberculosis cannot be treated independently; only a stay in a dispensary, under the supervision of doctors and long-term use of medications at the first latent stage can guarantee a cure. A person dies 2-3 years after tuberculosis damages the lungs if treatment is refused.
Diabetes
Another reason for weight loss is diabetes. It is the first type of diabetes that provokes weight loss, the second type promotes obesity. Usually the patient constantly experiences increased appetite, and it is almost impossible to satisfy; hunger is always present. This is due to an imbalance of glucose in the blood. During the course of the disease, an increase in glucose and insulin deficiency is observed in the blood.
Other symptoms of type 1 diabetes:
- dry mouth and thirst;
- sweating;
- irritability and weakness;
- the presence of constant hunger;
- vision problems;
- frequent urination.
Thyrotoxicosis or hyperthyroidism
This disease is a pathology of the thyroid gland. Intoxication with thyroid hormones occurs in the body when the thyroid gland secretes these hormones. Also called hyperthyroidism. Weight loss in this disease is associated with an increase in metabolic rate. The patient constantly overeats and loses weight.
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism:
- intolerance to stuffiness;
- cardiopalmus;
- tremor;
- diarrhea;
- thirst;
- menstrual irregularities in women and decreased libido in men;
- attention disorder.
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia is characterized by a pathological fear of obesity and disordered eating (intentional) associated with a person's maximum weight loss. This disease overlaps with bulimia and gluttony. Teenagers and girls under 25 years of age are most susceptible to this disorder, although problems can also occur in men. For patients, it seems normal to refuse food in order to lose weight. This leads to severe exhaustion of the body, and if this disease is not stopped, it can be fatal.
Symptoms of uneven anorexia:
- fear of gaining weight;
- sleep disturbance;
- the patient’s denial of their fear of excess weight and the presence of a problem in general;
- depression;
- feelings of resentment and anger;
- changing perceptions of family and social life;
- dramatic changes in behavior.
Adrenal insufficiency (hypocortisolism syndrome, Addison's disease)
With this disease, the process of production of hormones by the adrenal cortex is disrupted. Types of adrenal insufficiency: chronic and acute, primary and secondary. The disease manifests itself:
- muscle weakness;
- increasing fatigue;
- darkening of the skin (to bronze color);
- decreased blood pressure;
- craving for salty foods;
- loss of appetite;
- abdominal pain.
Alzheimer's disease
Also called senile dementia. The disease is a loss of neural connections in the brain. It usually affects older people over 65 years of age. Although Alzheimer's disease can develop at an early age, after 40 years, if there is a genetic predisposition.
Manifested by loss of partial memory and disorientation. Most often, recent events in life are lost from memory, followed by loss of long-term memory. A person becomes lost in the area, ceases to recognize faces, feels emotions, loses acquired knowledge, and the speech and hearing systems are impaired. The patient may forget to eat, relieve himself, fall asleep or wake up. As a result, significant body weight is lost; a person cannot exist without additional help from relatives or close people.
Lymphoma (Hodgkin's disease)
This oncological disease is a “proliferation” of lymphoid tissue that contains giant Reed-Berezovsky-Sternberg cells. At the first stage, the disease is manifested by enlarged lymph nodes. Usually the cervical and axillary nodes become inflamed.
Associated symptoms:
- loss of appetite;
- enlargement (inflammation) and reduction of lymph nodes;
- increased sweating at night;
- temperature increase.
Ulcerative colitis
This disease is chronic and is an inflammation of the colon mucosa. Mainly manifested by the following intestinal symptoms:
- pain in the abdominal area (cutting, aching, radiating to the left side);
- diarrhea;
- bloating;
- decreased appetite;
- fever;
- disruption of the kidneys and heart.
Intestinal obstruction
The disorder is caused by a narrowing of the lumen of the large intestine and is a late stage of cancer. The lumen of the large intestine narrows due to the growth of a cancerous tumor, which blocks the passage of feces and intestinal juices.
Manifested by the following symptoms:
- retention of stool and gases;
- abdominal pain on the left side;
- vomit;
- asymmetrical bloating (from the large intestine).
The above diseases are accompanied by weight loss and severe weight loss against a background of poor health. Any reasons for losing weight should alert a person. If any violations are detected, you should immediately seek help from specialists. Only timely treatment can serve as a speedy relief from other consequences of severe exhaustion of the body.
Many people want to get rid of extra pounds, and even more would like to lose weight without training or dieting. However, if you suddenly find that your favorite jeans are starting to fall off of you, and the scale shows a reading that you could only dream of, think about it. There are many reasons for sudden weight loss, but it is worth remembering that not all of them are terrible - only in some cases, severe weight loss may indicate serious health problems.
First of all, let’s define what exactly is considered sudden weight loss. If you have lost about 5% of your weight in six months without resorting to diets or exercise, then you should at least consult a doctor. If you are initially light weight, then losing fewer kilograms may be a cause for concern.
The specialist will ask you several questions about your health and lifestyle. For example:
- have you had any problems with your teeth recently (long-term treatment can affect appetite - many people simply find it difficult to eat their usual food in the usual quantities);
- whether you have suffered from diarrhea, nausea or vomiting;
- do you constantly experience stress and have there been any serious upheavals in your life recently;
- do you eat as before or your appetite has decreased;
- Do you smoke or drink alcohol?
- Do you have any other complaints?
It is worth telling your doctor whether you are taking any pills, dietary supplements, herbal teas or other similar products. Most likely, the doctor will prescribe a general blood test and other studies - this will eliminate or confirm suspicions he has about the causes of weight loss.
The first thing many people start thinking about when they discover that they have lost a lot of weight is oncology. Many people associate sudden weight loss with cancer. Doctors, however, are more optimistic and explain that weight loss will most likely not be the only sign indicating the presence of a tumor in the body, and there will be other signs in addition to weight loss.
In addition, sudden weight loss may be associated with other diseases, including celiac disease, depression, diabetes, metabolic disorders, lung disease, heart or gastrointestinal problems, and tuberculosis.
Severe weight loss without obvious reasons is a serious cause for concern. Even if you think you feel great, consult a doctor - the sooner the cause of sudden weight loss is determined, the sooner treatment will be prescribed and the more effective it will be.
The content of the article:
Severe rapid weight loss is no less alarming than weight gain. When a person begins to lose more than five percent of his body weight over the course of a week, this rapidly negatively affects his well-being and appearance. Today we will tell you why a person suddenly loses weight. All causes of rapid weight loss known to science can be divided into two groups: medical and general. If people most often cope with common ones on their own, then with the first group everything is much more complicated.
Medical reasons for rapid weight loss
Since medical reasons are the most difficult, let's start our conversation with them. According to official statistics, approximately 80 percent of cases of rapid weight loss are associated with disruption of the functioning of internal organs or entire systems. If you notice that you have begun to lose weight quickly, be sure to consult your doctor as soon as possible for advice.
Oncological diseases
If the color of the skin or the sclera of the eyes changes, weight actively decreases, hair begins to fall out profusely, and nail plates break - an oncological disease may develop in the body. These are just a few of the main symptoms of this terrible disease. Most often, the patient does not even suspect the presence of a malignant tumor in the body.
Most often, rapid weight loss is associated with cancer of the liver, pancreas or gastrointestinal tract. Already in the first days of development of the tumor, the patient can begin to actively lose weight. With other oncological diseases, this most often occurs after an increase in the number of metastases. Here are the main signs of the development of a malignant tumor neoplasm:
- Ulcers and wounds do not heal for a long time.
- Seals appear.
- The process of urination is disrupted, and problems with stool appear.
- The voice becomes hoarse and a cough appears.
- The patient often experiences weakness.
- The color of the skin changes.
Pulmonary tuberculosis
This disease is preceded by the appearance of a lot of symptoms, the main one of which should be considered rapid weight loss. This is a very complex and dangerous disease, which must be combated only in the initial stages. Let us note other symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis:
- Wet chest cough.
- When you cough, blood and pus are released.
- There is a loss of strength and weakness often appears.
- The process of sweating is significantly accelerated.
- Pain appears in the chest area, accompanied by a cough.
Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus can cause not only weight gain, but also rapid weight loss. Moreover, weight loss is most often observed in type 1 disease. The patient experiences a strong feeling of hunger, which is extremely difficult to satisfy. This is due to an imbalance in blood sugar. Among the symptoms of type 1 diabetes, we note the following:
- Constant feeling of dry mouth and severe thirst.
- Increased sweating.
- Irritability increases.
- Problems with the functioning of the organs of vision appear.
- Frequent urination.
- Constant feeling of hunger.
Pathology of the thyroid gland
This organ synthesizes two hormones that have a strong effect on human metabolism. It is with the acceleration of metabolic processes that rapid weight loss is associated. This disease is called hyperthyroidism. The patient eats a lot of food, but loses weight. The main symptoms of hyperthyroidism:
- Heart rate increases.
- There are problems with the functioning of the digestive system.
- Tremor.
- Constant feeling of thirst.
- Decreased sexual desire in men and menstrual irregularities in women.
- Attention deteriorates.
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia is characterized by an intense fear of obesity, as well as eating disorders, usually intentional. This disease has several points of contact with gluttony and bulimia. Most often, the disease occurs in girls under the age of 25, although men can also suffer from anorexia nervosa.
Patients believe that giving up a normal diet is the best way to avoid obesity. As a result, the body is exhausted, and if measures are not taken to treat the disease, death is possible. Let us note the main symptoms of the disease:
- Fear of gaining excess weight.
- Sleep disturbances.
- The patient denies his own fear of obesity and the presence of the problem itself.
- Depression.
- Feelings of anger and resentment.
- The perception of social and family life is changing.
- Behavior changes dramatically.
Adrenal gland dysfunction
The adrenal glands synthesize several hormones. If the organ is not able to perform its job efficiently, then serious health problems are possible. Doctors distinguish between chronic and acute, as well as primary and secondary forms of the disease. The disease is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Muscular weakness.
- Constantly increasing feeling of fatigue.
- The color of the skin changes until a bronze tint appears.
- Blood pressure drops.
- There is a strong craving for salty foods.
- Appetite decreases.
Alzheimer's disease
This disease is often called senile dementia. Scientists believe that the main reason for the development of this disease is the destruction of synaptic connections in the brain. Most often, the disease manifests itself at the age of 65 years and older. However, an earlier onset of Alzheimer's disease is also possible. Most often this is due to genetic predisposition.
The disease manifests itself in partial memory loss and disorientation. A person remembers recent events, but problems begin with long-term memory. The patient becomes lost even in familiar terrain and ceases to recognize loved ones. The ability to experience emotions is gradually lost, and problems with speech and hearing are also possible. Thus, a person becomes unable to live without constant outside help.
Hodgkin's disease
This is one of the oncological diseases associated with the proliferation of lymphatic tissues. The first stage of the disease is characterized by a sharp growth of lymph nodes, most often located in the armpits and neck. Main symptoms of the disease:
- Appetite decreases.
- Lymph nodes become inflamed.
- At night, sweating processes actively occur.
- Body temperature increases.
Ulcerative colitis
This disease is chronic and is associated with inflammation of the gastric mucosa. The symptoms of the disease are as follows:
- Pain appears in the abdominal area.
- Diarrhea.
- Bloating.
- Feverish condition.
- There are problems with the functioning of the kidneys and heart muscle.
- Loss of appetite.
Insufficient permeability of the intestinal tract
The problem is the narrowing of the lumen of the large intestinal tract. The disease is a late stage of the development of cancer. The main symptoms are:
- Problems with stool and gas.
- Pain appears on the left side of the abdomen.
- Vomit.
- Asymmetrical bloating.
Common Reasons for Rapid Weight Loss
We have told you about the medical reasons for rapid body weight loss. However, even healthy people may wonder why a person is suddenly losing weight.
Stress
This is one of the most common causes of weight loss and especially in men. In modern life, stressful situations can await representatives of the stronger sex literally at every turn. Quite often, after severe stress, a person begins to lose weight. Along with active weight loss, men often complain of sleep problems and disruption of the digestive system.
Irritability increases significantly and fatigue appears quickly. Our body is able to cope on its own big amount problems. However, if the stress does not go away and the man continues to lose weight, he should immediately consult a specialist for advice.
In many situations, rapid weight loss is explained by the body’s attempts to independently cope with a hidden illness. To do this, it actively destroys adipose and muscle tissue to produce energy. Note that in this situation, the man most often continues to eat well and cannot explain why the person is suddenly losing weight. In such a situation, you should visit a doctor and undergo a full medical examination.
It should also be said about other common reasons for active weight loss:
- Violation of eating habits.
- Various phobias.
- Strict dietary nutrition programs.
- Transitional age.
- Disturbances in the hormonal system.
- Excessive physical activity.
- Alcohol or drug addiction.
How to eliminate the reasons for rapid weight loss on your own?
We advise you to first visit a doctor and with his help determine the reasons for the sudden weight loss. Otherwise, self-medication can only harm the body. Experts, after determining the cause of the problem, most often offer the following ways to solve it:
- If you have been diagnosed with a cold or infectious disease, consume ascorbic acid in sufficient quantities.
- When the cause is severe stress, it is worth visiting a psychologist.
- When actively involved in sports, it is necessary to reduce physical activity or even stop training for a while.
Reasons why a person can suddenly lose weight: