If you are losing weight without making any effort, it could be a matter of concern as there is often a link between sudden weight and some underlying health problem. Causes of sudden weight loss can be medical-related or otherwise and are common among individuals aged 65 and above. Unexplained weight loss of more than 5 percent of the body weight could indicate a severe health condition.
Health-related problems can occur anytime, and even a seemingly healthy person can face such problems. So, it is always prudent to have health insurance for you and your family to keep unwanted stress at bay during medical emergencies.
Unexpected Weight Loss Causes
The causes of sudden weight loss can stem from:
- Hyperthyroidism: This is a condition wherein the thyroid gland produces excessive thyroid hormones, accelerating the metabolism rate. This leads to the rapid burning of calories, even when the appetite is normal, leading to sudden weight loss.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: The immune system of individuals diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis starts attacking joint linings, which causes inflammation and increases metabolism, thus leading to unexpected weight loss.
- Type 1 Diabetes: In type 1 diabetes, the immune system starts attacking the pancreatic cells, which disrupts insulin production, causing the body to burn fat and muscle for energy, leading to sudden weight loss.
- Depression: This mental condition is also related to sudden weight loss. Mood disorder affects the brain's appetite-regulating parts, causing a loss in appetite and, subsequently, weight loss. However, some people experiencing depression may experience an increase in appetite.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Chronic inflammation of the bowel area puts the body in a constant energy-consuming state. Moreover, the imbalance in the hunger hormones causes loss of appetite and, thereby, weight loss.
- Endocarditis: This condition refers to the inflammation of the heart's inner lining, often caused by bacteria. Endocarditis may lower appetite and cause unexpected weight loss, accompanied by a rise in body temperature.
- Cancer: Abnormal growth of cells and increased inflammation in the body cause muscle damage and disrupt the appetite-regulating hormones. This can lead to unexpected weight loss.
Some other risk factors behind unexpected weight loss can include Addison’s Disease, HIV AIDS, congestive heart failure, muscle loss, and muscle atrophy. These conditions trigger an attack on the immune system, making the body vulnerable to diseases and infections.
Conclusion
This blog has covered some of the major causes of sudden weight loss. Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are some causes. Further, digestive health problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, including overactive thyroid glands, type 2 diabetes, and heart problems are all related to unexpected weight loss and require quick medical attention.
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