Unexplained weight loss may not always be good news; What does this really mean for your health?

Unexplained weight loss is a noticeable drop in body weight when you are not even trying to lose any weight. And so, since you are not on a calorie-restricted diet or actively performing physical exercise, you should be concerned. According to experts, unintentional weight loss can also lead to serious health problems, such as cancer or mental health disorders. Read further to know in detail.

Doctors say significant weight loss without changing how much you eat, exercise, or trying other methods is a serious concern.

There are many people around the world who will do anything to achieve their weight loss goals. But there are many people who do this unknowingly. Although it may seem counterintuitive, according to experts, losing weight without trying may not be a good thing.

Doctors say significant weight loss without changing how much you eat, exercise, or trying other methods is a serious concern.

What is unexplained weight loss?

According to experts, weight loss is a noticeable drop in your body weight unexpectedly without any effort – which amounts to about 4.5 kg or 5 percent of your body weight in six-12 months.

While your daily weight also varies due to hormones, water retention and other factors, anything abnormal indicates an underlying health problem – from cancer and gastric problems or diabetes to mental health issues.

Possible causes of unexplained weight loss

There are many health factors that can cause weight loss even when you don’t want to. Some conditions significantly reduce your appetite, while others prevent your body from absorbing calories, or increase the rate at which you burn calories. Some of these include:

cancer

Doctors say more than one-third of people who get tested to find the cause of their unintentional weight loss turn out to be cancer. The number one cause of weight loss, according to UCLA, and nearly four in 10 cancer diagnoses begin this way. Weight loss is not just a sign of stage 3-4 cancer; It has also been reported in people with early-stage colon, pancreas, and lung cancer.

Experts say changes in metabolism or appetite may cause unexplained weight loss.

gastric problems

About 10-20 percent of unexpected weight loss is due to gastrointestinal or GI problems such as chronic diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease or excessive use of laxatives. Many of these gastric problems create difficulty digesting food and absorbing nutrients, leading to malnutrition and weight loss.

Most people suffering from GI disorders suffer from inflammation of the intestines or colon which leads to loss of appetite and chronic diarrhea.

mental health issues

Apart from eating disorders, mental health problems like high anxiety levels, constant stress, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder can also affect your appetite.

If you don’t have much interest in eating or sleeping and you are not eating, you are going to lose weight. Doctors say there are many medications used to treat mental health disorders that also affect appetite, taste and smell and cause frequent and chronic nausea.

parkinson’s disease

Weight loss can also be caused by symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, which include loss of smell, trouble swallowing, loss of appetite, nausea, and trouble feeding oneself due to lack of muscle control.

dental health problems

People who have oral problems – trouble chewing, swollen gums that cause pain, cavities, gum diseases and even temporomandibular joint issues and toothache, unintentional weight gain due to lack of proper diet May be less.

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