Have you been losing weight without kicking up your cardio or changing your diet? If so, you are likely wondering what’s going on. All throughout life your weight is going to fluctuate; not only does your metabolism change as you age, but also different life factors play a big role in how many calories you take in and burn.
Along with fatigue, weight loss is one of the two most common symptoms associated with progressive diseases. If you seem to be losing weight for no reason it’s always wise to visit a local doctor in order to make sure everything in regards to your health is fine. In this blog we provide answers about some of the more common reasons people unexpectedly lose weight.
Diabetes
Diabetes is generally associated with being overweight, so losing weight might not make you think of this common disease. Diabetes is considered a metabolic disorder that causes a lack of insulin, either because your body stops producing insulin, or because your body stops responding to it. This causes high blood glucose levels, as well as a host of symptoms including constant thirst, excessive urination, unsatisfied hunger, numb feet or hands, fatigue and weight loss.
Type-1 diabetes is more likely to be associated with weight loss, while type-2 diabetes is more commonly associated with weight gain.
Overactive Thyroid
Your thyroid is responsible for regulating your metabolism, or rather how you digest your food and burn through calories. Your thyroid gland is also responsible for producing the hormone calcitonin, which regulates the calcium levels found in your blood. An overactive thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone, causing what is known as hyperthyroidism. Symptoms include irregular heartbeat, hot flashes, heart palpitations, feeling short of breath, mood swings, bulging eyes, infertility, and unexplained weight loss. Medications are available to help regulate your thyroid and decrease associated symptoms.
Depression
Depression is a mood disorder that is commonly linked with unexplained weight loss. When you are feeling down about life you may start picking at your food more, or eating less without noticing, thus leading to weight loss that seems unexplained. We all feel depressed from time to time; it’s a natural human emotion. But if your depression, sadness, anger, or feeling of loss persists for weeks, or months at a time you may be suffering from clinical depression.
Besides weight loss, other signs of depression include:
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Abnormally distracted
- Full of negative or hopeless thoughts and feelings
- Irritability
- Feeling bored about everything
Cancer
More people than ever before are diagnosed with cancer, it is the disease of our generation. Cancer can flare up anywhere in the body, and is caused by an abnormal growth of cells. Cancer can originate one place, and spread to another, this is known as metastatic cancer. Since cancer can form in bones, tissues, skin, organs, and the brain, there are many different symptoms people experience. All across the board, one of the more common symptoms is unexplained weight loss.
Every sign your body gives you is a clue to what is going on deep beneath your outer epidermis. The last thing you want to hear is that your sudden weight loss is caused by cancer, but the warning may be a blessing in disguise. The sooner you are able to identify and treat cancer, the higher your rate of full remission.
Dementia
Dementia impacts your ability to think, interact socially, and go about your day-to-day routines. Impairments caused by dementia center around memory, judgment and language centers of the brain. Just because your memory isn’t as sharp as it once was doesn’t mean you have dementia. Those suffering from dementia often get lost while driving, or forget to pay bills they have remembered for years. Memory loss, hallucinations, agitation, and personality changes are all symptoms of dementia, as well as unexplained weight loss.
Less Common Causes of Unexplained Weight Loss:
- Alcoholism
- Disease of the heart, liver, or kidney
- Rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Certain bacterial, viral or parasitic infections including tuberculosis (TB), gastroenteritis, HIV, and AIDS.
When Should You Visit Your Doctor For Weight Loss?
Did you recently go vegetarian? Take on a new job or other responsibility? Are you going through a stressful time? There are so many things that can cause your weight to go up and down. You know your body better than anyone else, if your weight loss doesn’t seem to add up, it might be time to consult with a doctor. If you have lost 5% of your total body weight in less than 12-months this is a sign your weight loss deserves a doctors’ opinion.
If you are concerned about your weight, visit Urgent Medical Center today for the one-on-one care you deserve.
