Unexplained Weight Loss And Fatigue

How The Intervention Might Work

The mechanism of action for included interventions was through primary and secondary intervention strategies.

Primary intervention strategies for fatigue may have included those which help preserve muscle mass and maintain energy reserves through interventions such as exercise, activity pacing, relaxation and support services.

For unintentional weight loss primary intervention strategies may have included those which help preserve body weight through interventions such as nutritional supplementation to produce positive energy balance, weightbearing exercise to increase lean body mass, pharmacological agents to downregulate inflammatory processes and improve nitrogen balance and psychological and social interventions that increase desire to eat.

Secondary intervention strategies may have included strategies to adapt to functional decline and weight loss rather than seeking to alleviate them, such as counselling and complementary therapy support.

You Are Constantly Thirsty Tired And Using The Bathroom More Than Usual

Diana Gariglio-Clelland, registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at Balance ONE, says that one of the primary potential causes of unexpected weight loss is diabetes.

“When someone develops diabetes, their body isn’t able to take up adequate amounts of sugar for energy due to lack of insulin,” she says. “When the cells aren’t able to take up this sugar, they starve, which can result in weight loss.”

Gariglio-Clelland advises people to get in to see their healthcare provider for some diagnostic blood testssuch as a blood glucose testif they experience unintended weight loss, just to be on the safer side of things.

How Much Weight Loss Is A Concern

These viruses have different causes and possible therapies, but weight loss is a common symptom of all three. Dog Cauae Recovery: What to Expect. As you get older, your sense of smell and taste might change, says MayoClinic. Most fruit and vegetables are rich in fibre, and so are legumes such as beans and peas. Top 10 Reasons for Weight Loss in Dogs Dogs, like people, are not one-size-fits-all when it comes to diagnosing the issues affecting their health.

Rheumatoid arthritis RA is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes drsmatic joint pain. Drugs like methamphetamine, cocaine, and opiates are appetite suppressants. Gravesâ disease H. Here are some healthy ways to. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. This content does not have an English version.

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Essentials For Older People: Involuntary Weight Loss

Incidence of involuntary weight loss increases with aging, often reaching 50% among nursing home residents. Older people are more likely to have involuntary weight loss because disorders that cause weight loss are more common among older people. There are also normal age-related changes that contribute to weight loss. Typically, many factors are involved.

Normal age-related changes that can contribute to weight loss include the following:

• A decreased rate of gastric-emptying

• Loss of muscle mass

In addition, social isolation is common in older people, which tends to decrease food intake. Depression and dementia are very common contributing factors, particularly among nursing home residents. It is often difficult to sort out the exact contribution of specific factors.

Older people may benefit from nutritional supplements to correct vitamin deficiencies . However, supplements should be given between meals and at bedtime. Otherwise, supplements might decrease the appetite at mealtime. Feeding and shopping assistance may also help some people.

Hyperthyroidism Or Overactive Thyroid

Unexplained weight loss could be a sign of hyperthyroidism. The thyroid gland produces excessive amounts of the thyroid hormone, which controls many functions in the body, including metabolism. If your thyroid is overactive, youll quickly burn calories even if you have a good appetite. The result can be an unintentional weight loss.

Weight loss is just one of a constellation of symptoms of hyperthyroidism including heart palpitations, anxiety, fatigue, sleep problems, hand tremors, heat intolerance, hair loss, insomnia, and light periods in women.

Possible causes of hyperthyroidism include Graves disease, thyroiditis, eating too much iodine, and taking too much thyroid medicine. A simple blood test can detect hyperthyroidism. Also, these conditions are all treatable. Whatever the cause of your hyperthyroidism, there is a treatment that can help reverse the symptoms.

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Vitamin And Mineral Insufficiency

Excesive people may resort to alcohol to combat anxiety and this may also be associated with weight loss see below. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. According to the American College of Gastroenterologyceliac disease symptoms include weight loss, diarrhea, bloatinggas, and abdominal pain. Low levels of cortisol may lead to poor appetite and weight loss. Common causes of unintentional weight loss are listed below.

Early symptoms of cancer also include:. Emphysema slowly damages the air sacs in your lungs, making it hard to breathe. Sort of. In some cases, surgery might be necessary. United States. Exercise should be prescribed and closely monitored by your doctor.

This is creepy, fatjgue it happens. Colon cancer screening Congenital adrenal hyperplasia Coronary artery spasm: Cause for concern? Learn how toâ¦. Oatmeal is an incredibly popular breakfast. These symptoms may include but are not limited to: Dizziness when standing Nausea and vomiting Lightheadedness and fainting Brain fog Muscle pain and cramps Headaches Excessive sweating Shakiness Some people feel as though their heart is beating really fast or skipping a beat. MAOIs and diet: Is it necessary to restrict tyramine? If that sounds familiar, there could be more going on than daily stress.

Unexplained Weight Gain And Fatigue: Underlying Conditions

• Congestive Heart Failure

Weight gain and fatigue are common issues that almost everyone grapples with. They are natural consequences of dealing with everyday stressors and a lack of sleep, but unexplained weight gain and fatigue can sometimes be symptoms of an underlying condition. However, they are nonspecific symptoms and many diseases could manifest these symptoms, so it may be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause. If you are eating a healthy diet and sleeping well but experiencing weight gain and fatigue, talk to your healthcare provider to find out what may be happening.

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You Are Experiencing Pain In Your Bones

If you’re having bone pains along with weight loss, it could be a sign that you have hypercalcemia, a condition in which the calcium level in your blood is above normal, according to the Mayo Clinic.

There are several ways to treat hypercalcemia. In a milder case of the condition, your doctor might choose to wait and monitor your bones and kidneys over time, while in more serious cases, your doctor may prescribe certain medications or even recommend surgery.

What Is Unexpected Weight Loss

Weight loss as a symptom is any loss of weight that you cannot explain, or that you did not plan or work for through increased diet control and exercise. Unexpected, or unintended weight loss can be caused by diseases affecting almost any part of the body, including ongoing infections, AIDS, cancers, depression, painful mouth , missing teeth, chronic , kidney disease, respiratory disease, thyroid disease, , and chronic diarrhea or other . It can also be caused by loss of appetite due to and by certain eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia as well as malnutrition.

Some drugs are also known to cause abnormal weight loss. These include amphetamines, chemotherapeutic agents, and thyroid medications. involving excessive use of purgatives and laxatives, heavy street drug use, or is also known to cause abnormal weight loss. Rapid or persistent weight loss is very dangerous and can cause severe damage to multiple organs and should always be investigated as soon as possible.

Seek immediate medical care if you have heart dizziness or wooziness vomiting blood dehydration severe severe diarrhea severe difficulty breathing or or loss of consciousness for even a brief moment.

If weight loss is persistent or otherwise causes you concern, seek prompt medical care.

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What Is Considered Unintended Weight Loss

According to Mayo Clinic, the point at which you should become concerned about unexpected weight loss isnât exact. However, if someone has lost 5% of their body weight over a timeframe of 6-12 months, healthcare professionals typically recommend a medical evaluation, this may include blood tests and a physical examination.

Remember, it can be natural to lose a noticeable amount of weight after a stressful event in your life, however, there may be another underlying cause. If youâre concerned about sudden weight loss or have experienced a significant weight loss unintentionally, itâs important to speak with your healthcare provider.

Remember, if you are concerned that you have lost weight without trying and you are experiencing other symptoms, its important to reach out to your healthcare provider for insight. If you would like to check for some of the above conditions or your general health, you can do so with your doctor or from home with an at-home lab test.

References

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Less Common Causes Of Unexpected Weight Loss

Less often, unexpected weight loss may be the result of:

• the side effects of certain medications
• drug misuse or alcohol misuse
• heart, kidney, lung or liver disease
• a problem with the glands that secrete hormones such as Addison’s disease or undiagnosed diabetes
• a long-term inflammatory condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
• dental problems such as losing teeth, having new orthodontics or mouth ulcers
• a condition that causes dysphagia
• a problem with the gut, such as a stomach ulcer, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or coeliac disease
• a bacterial, viral or parasitic infection, such as tuberculosis , HIV and AIDS, or persistent gastroenteritis
• dementia, people with dementia may be unable to tell you their eating needs

Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE

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When Should I Be Concerned

For many people, unintentional weight loss is welcomed as a good thing. However, this is definitely the wrong attitude to have, as more often than not there is an underlying condition responsible.

I was also losing a bit of weight which, like most people out there, I thought was a great thing.

For this reason, it is important to visit your doctor, even if you feel healthy or think you can explain your weight loss with stress or a pre-existing medical condition. Your GP will be able to run any precautionary tests to check for a cause and thereby rule out leukaemia or crucially, give an early diagnosis.

Make sure to push for a blood test if you are experiencing any of the other symptoms of leukaemia. Knowing what other symptoms are typical of leukaemia is crucial for helping you make the decision to visit your GP sooner for a blood test. Connect the dots between the symptoms of leukaemia and spot leukaemia sooner.

For information on the other symptoms of leukaemia, click here.

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When Should I Be Concerned About Unexplained Weight Loss

Your weight can fluctuate for various reasons. A life-changing or stressful event can cause you to lose weight unintentionally. Even having an especially busy schedule for a while can cause a temporary change in your food intake and activity level, causing you to lose a few pounds.

There arent any firm guidelines. But some experts follow the rule of thumb that an unintentional weight loss of more than five percent of your body weight in a period of six months to a year calls for a medical evaluation.

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You Are Constantly Nauseated

Lynell Ross, certified health and wellness coach, says that an often overlooked problem when it comes to rapid weight loss is the issue of mental health, anxiety, or stress.

“Stress or anxiety can cause rapid weight loss by making you queasy, because it activates hormones that affect your digestive system that can also cause it to shut down,” she says. “Nausea can be associated with mental health disorders such as panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. Our nervous or upset stomach, or decrease in appetite can also happen when we feel hopeless, trapped, or can’t see our way out of a problem.”

Ross suggests seeking counseling from a mental health professional if you find yourself rapidly losing weight without any physical cause.

Description Of The Interventions

Any intervention primarily aimed at the management of fatigue and unintentional weight loss in advanced progressive illness was included. Interventions could have included pharmacological interventions, exercise, behavioural management, use of assistive devices, lifestyle management, nutritional support, complementary or alternative therapy and counselling.

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Your Joints Are Tender Warm Or Swollen

Another reason behind unexplained weight loss could be rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition, according to Richards.

“Signs that this may be the cause of your unintentional weight loss include tender and swollen joints, fever, appetite loss, fatigue, and joint stiffness,” she says. According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no known cure for the condition, but there are medications to alleviate some of the symptoms.

What Is Diabetic Ketoacidosis

DKA is a serious, short-term complication of diabetes. It occurs when your body has high blood glucose and a buildup of blood acids called ketones. Since people with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin so their body can use glucose for energy, their body may burn fat instead to get energy. Burning fat causes the production of ketones, which can be toxic in the bloodstream.4-6

DKA most commonly occurs in people who are sick with nausea, vomiting, and not eating. Therefore they do not take their insulin. It can also occur in people who do not know they have diabetes and their pancreas has already failed to produce the necessary amount of insulin. Illness also increases your need for insulin because blood sugar rises as your bodys response. Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis usually develop quickly, and in extreme cases can cause a person to go into a coma. It should be treated as a medical emergency. If you experience symptoms of ketoacidosis, call your doctor right away.4-6

While maintaining a healthy weight is a healthy part of type 2 diabetes management, it is important to note that rapid, unexplained weight loss requires immediate medical attention.

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Some Causes Of Weight Loss

Article Sources. Antidepressants and weight gain: What causes it? When to see a doctor. How to cope with a depressive episode.

Medically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, R. Diabetes and liver Diabetes insipidus Diabetes management: Does aspirin therapy prevent heart qeight This site complies with the Excessive weight loss and fatigue standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. If you have celiac disease, your body has an immune reaction to gluten, a protein in wheat, barley, and rye. Depression has a number of symptoms. Antiretroviral therapy is used to treat HIV and stop the spread of the virus and may improve weight loss.

• See individual leaflets on the various diseases that can cause weight loss. Palindromic rheumatism: Precursor to rheumatoid arthritis?

• It may affect one or both sides of the heart. Since the heart isn’t pumping blood effectively throughout the body, not as much oxygen and blood are going to the brain and muscle, which causes fatigue.

• Burning more energy and calories can lead to unintentional or unexplained weight loss. Alex Folkl has been writing for more than eight years and has had work appear in several peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed scientific publications.

• IBD also disrupts ghrelin, the hunger hormone, and leptin, the satiety hormone.

• Vitamin overdoses also will lead to fatigue. Treatment depends on the type of cancer.

Sudden Weight Loss And Fatigue

According to Carol Reife in “Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine,” while cancer must be in the differential diagnosis of anyone presenting with weight loss and fatigue, cancer tends to cause slower-onset, chronic symptoms instead of sudden symptoms. Sudden symptoms suggest that something new, such as an infection, might be causing the symptoms. Infections that can cause sudden weight loss and fatigue include hepatitis and HIV.

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Spotting The Difference: Weight Loss In Leukaemia Vs Healthy Weight Loss

Read on to spot the difference between harmless and harmful weight loss and to stand a better chance of diagnosing leukaemia early.

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Healthy weight loss is normally a matter of choice. Ideally, it follows a change in lifestyle such as a conscious effort to improve your diet or exercise routine. However, significant unexplained weight loss that comes without a change in lifestyle may be a sign of an underlying medial disorder such as leukaemia. In fact, according to our most recent patient survey, around 19% of leukaemia patients reported weight loss as a major symptom that lead to their diagnosis.

Read on to spot the difference between harmless and harmful weight loss and to stand a better chance of diagnosing leukaemia early.

Unexplained Weight Loss 18 Common Medical Causes

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Dropping pounds unexpectedly? It can happen for a number of reasons, but there are some diseases that can cause it.

Unexplained or unintentional weight loss might be welcomed by some people, but asking about the potential causes is extremely important. Unintentional weight loss can have underlying causes ranging from thyroid problems to infections to cancer, and always warrants an investigation.

In this article, well discuss more information about the basics and the potential causes of your unexplained weight loss. But remember, you must not self-diagnose. Visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis.

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