Weight loss – unintentional; Loss of weight; Losing weight without trying; Unexplained weight loss
Unexplained weight loss is a significant reduction in body weight, that happens unintentionally and without any known underlying cause. Losing weight for no reason can be an alarming symptom and may indicate an underlying medical condition., requiring attention and further investigation.
Many people gain and lose weight. Unintentional weight loss is the loss 5 kg or more 5% from your normal body weight for the period from 6 to 12 months or less without knowing the cause.
There are several potential causes of unexplained weight loss.. These include:
Loss of appetite, which can cause:
Chronic problems with the digestive system, that reduce calories and nutrients, absorbed by your body, including:
Other reasons, such as:
Beyond weight loss, people may experience other accompanying symptoms. They may include:
If you are experiencing unexplained weight loss or are worried about your weight, you should consult with your doctor. You should seek medical attention, if:
During your physical examination, the doctor may ask you various questions., to help determine the root cause of your weight loss. Some common questions may include:
A comprehensive medical examination is required to diagnose the cause of unexplained weight loss.. Your doctor may:
Treatment for unexplained weight loss depends on identifying and addressing the underlying cause. This may include:
While the treatment for unexplained weight loss mostly comes down to medical intervention, there are several steps, things you can do at home, to improve overall well-being:
To prevent unexplained weight loss, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle and timely eliminate any alarming symptoms. Here are some preventive measures, you can take:
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McQuaid KR. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 123.
Seller RH, Symons AB. Weight gain and weight loss. In: Seller RH, Symons AB, eds. Differential Diagnosis of Common Complaints. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 36.
Ziegler TR. Malnutrition: assessment and support. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 204.
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