Reasons for Weight Loss

Weight loss can be a natural outcome of diligent effort; however, unintentional weight loss may signal an underlying medical condition. Below are some of the key causes of unintentional weight loss:

Muscle Loss: This can occur when an individual does not engage their muscles for an extended period, such as through a lack of exercise, prolonged bed rest, or as a result of aging.
Hyperthyroidism: This condition causes the body to burn calories at an accelerated rate, even when the individual has a normal appetite.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: As an autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis leads the immune system to attack the lining of the joints, resulting in inflammation. Chronic inflammation can boost metabolism and contribute to weight loss.
Type 1 Diabetes: This occurs when the immune system targets the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Without insulin, the body is unable to utilize glucose for energy.
Depression: Depression affects brain regions responsible for appetite regulation, potentially leading to a diminished appetite and, consequently, weight loss due to reduced food intake.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): IBD encompasses various chronic inflammatory disorders of the digestive tract, with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis being the most common types. Chronic inflammation can place the body in a catabolic state, resulting in ongoing energy expenditure and weight loss.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): This progressive lung disease includes conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In advanced stages, it can lead to weight loss as breathing becomes more difficult, leading to increased calorie expenditure. Patients may also experience discomfort while eating and breathing simultaneously.
Endocarditis: This condition arises when germs enter the bloodstream and settle in the heart, often causing fever and loss of appetite. This can enhance metabolic rates, leading to fat burning and weight loss.
Cancer: This term encompasses various diseases characterized by the rapid division and spread of abnormal cells. Cancer can increase inflammation in the body, thereby promoting muscle loss and disrupting appetite-regulating hormones, ultimately raising the body’s energy expenditure during rest.

What Constitutes Unintentional Weight Loss?

Unintentional weight loss is defined as a noticeable decrease in body weight that occurs without deliberate efforts to lose weight. A weight loss of 4.5 kilograms (approximately 10 pounds) or more, or a reduction of five percent of body weight over a period of 6 to 12 months, is considered significant and may indicate a serious underlying medical issue. Consulting a healthcare professional is advisable in such cases.

Treatment of Unintentional Weight Loss

The treatment for unintentional weight loss focuses primarily on addressing the underlying causes. This can involve relaxing dietary restrictions, such as permitting patients with hypertension to add salt to their food, which can enhance the palatability of meals. Additionally, flavor enhancers may be introduced to improve the aroma of food, thereby stimulating the patient’s appetite.

References

↑ “13 Causes of Unexplained Weight Loss”, www.healthline.com, Retrieved January 16, 2019.
↑ “Unexplained Weight Loss”, my.clevelandclinic.org, Retrieved January 16, 2019.
↑ “Evaluating and Treating Unintentional Weight Loss in the Elderly”, www.aafp.org, Retrieved January 16, 2019.