weight loss

Weight loss occurs when a person burns more calories, or energy, than he or she takes in. It may be deliberate or unintentional.

 

A loss of weight is due to one of three factors:

 

Weight loss may or may not be intended. Unplanned weight loss is often a sign of serious illness.

 

Weight loss through physical activity and eating a proper diet should not cause concern. Rather, the person usually feels healthier. Intentional weight loss through unhealthy means, such as smoking or misuse of diuretics, causes other health consequences.

 

Unintended weight loss is a cause for concern. In this setting, the healthcare professional will need more information, such as:

 

Some of the causes of weight loss are as follows: cancer, including colon cancer, lung cancer, cancer of the pancreas, or leukemia conditions that affect the ability of the intestines to absorb food and other nutrients diabetes, a condition that results in high blood glucose levels digestive diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease or peptic ulcers hormone imbalances, such as an increased thyroid hormone level known as hyperthyroidism increased level of physical activity, due to exercise or manual labor infections, such as HIV or tuberculosis intake of fewer calories medicine or drugs, such as amphetamines, ephedrine, cocaine, heroin, or alcohol psychiatric conditions, such as depression, anorexia, or schizophrenia severe kidney, liver, or heart disease

For unintended weight loss, prevention is related to the cause. Avoiding the drugs that cause weight loss could prevent those cases due to drugs. Practicing safest sex can nearly eliminate the risk of sexually-transmitted HIV infection. Practicing safer sex can reduce, but not eliminate, cases due to sexually-transmitted HIV infection. Many cases of unintended weight loss cannot be prevented.

In some cases, the cause of the weight loss is obvious from the medical history and a physical exam. In other cases, further tests are needed. Blood and urine tests may be ordered to diagnose underlying health problems. X-ray tests may be done, such as a chest X-ray to look for heart or lung disease. An abdominal CT scan can be used to look for cancer of the pancreas or liver.