Obesity / Weight loss

Hyperthyroidism

Also known as an overactive thyroid, develops when your thyroid gland makes excess thyroid hormone than required. These hormones control many functions in the body, including metabolism. An overactive thyroid, can lead to quick burn of calories even if you have a good appetite. The result is unintentional weight loss.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis patients often lose their appetite as a result can suffer from unintentional weight loss. Also Anti-rheumatic drugs can cause diarrhea, nausea, and stomach upset, which may lead to weight loss.

Diabetes

Patients with high blood sugar tend to urinate a lot, and this can result in dehydration which can be a possible cause for weight loss. Also, muscle breakdown can occur if blood sugar levels are too high, which can lead to an unhealthy weight loss.

Depression

We know that depression has lots of symptoms like appetite disturbances, lack of energy etc. Usually weight gain is associated with depression but weight loss can also be a problem. With severe depression, one might lose weight because they lose interest in food. In patients with low body weight, the brain gets starved and they develop depression. Proper food habits may make the depression go away.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Weight loss is a typical symptom of the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. There may be many reasons for loss of appetite and weight loss in IBD. Some people may develop food aversions because they associate eating with pain. Some medications and nutrient deficiencies due to IBD can cause taste changes which may make a person less interested in eating leading to weight loss. IBD can also cause changes in the levels of hormones like leptin and ghrelin which have a role in making you feel hungry or full this can lead to weight loss.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Weight loss is a sign of severe COPD. Inflammation of the lungs here gets so severe that the lung volume expands in size. This reduces the amount of space between the lungs and the stomach, and when one eats, the two organs push against one another making it uncomfortable. This makes breathing even more difficult and may ultimately discourage you from eating. Damaged lungs can burn as much as 10 times more calories than normal, healthy lungs thus even if you do have a good appetite, this phenomenon can lead to unintentional weight loss. Depression and anxiety from COPD can result in mental health issues leading to weight loss.

Endocarditis

Endocarditis is an infection and inflammation of the heart valves and the inner lining of the heart chambers, which is known as the endocardium. It occurs when infectious bacteria or fungi enter the bloodstream and settle in the heart through a break in the skin caused by a skin injury; a dental procedure; or a skin prick, especially among intravenous drug users. Poor appetite and weight loss are among some of the common symptoms of Endocardium.

Tuberculosis

In addition to symptoms such as coughing and fever, it often results in significant weight loss and lack of appetite. Most individuals with active TB experience weight loss. Weight loss among people with TB can be caused by several factors, including reduced food intake due to loss of appetite, nausea and abdominal pain.

Cancer

Sometimes people ignore symptoms like that of weight loss. Many times they don’t even know that these symptoms could mean something is wrong. People having cancer are prone to weight loss at some point or the other. When one loses weight for unknown reasons, it is called an unexplained weight loss. A sudden and unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more may be the first sign of cancer.

Congestive Heart Failure

First, weight loss congestive heart failure may occur because of a lack of blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract. Low blood flow around the gastrointestinal tract may make it harder for the body to absorb nutrients and move food through the body. Along with that, general symptoms of congestive heart failure – including dizziness, nausea, and fatigue – may make it difficult for late-stage patients to eat. Mood disorders such as anxiety and depression may also cause unexplained weight loss in late-stage congestive heart failure.

It is normal for body weight to fluctuate, but if you’re losing weight without any change in your daily habits, then something may be the reason for it. A visit to a doctor is a must if you experience 5 percent weight loss in 6 to 12 months.