• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

CALL TODAY: (561) 434-1935

Ishan Gunawardene

powered by Zocdoc

  • Home
  • Meet the Providers
  • Internal Medicine
  • Family Medicine
  • Contact Us
  • Blog

Unexplained Weight Loss

Causes of Unexplained Weight Loss

July 20, 2018

If you’re overweight, the first sign of unexplained weight loss might be somewhat welcome. Chalk it up to any number of rational explanations, but when the weight continues to fall off without dieting or making an effort, you realize it’s time to be concerned.

Unexplained weight loss is never a good sign. While someone might be losing weight without trying – the cause could be depression, stress or even a tapeworm – the cause can be fairly easily determined with some simple medical detective work.

However, what if you are still unsure why you are losing weight? What if you continue to eat healthily, and even are adding calories to your diet? Unexplained weight loss – cachexia – is a symptom of chronic conditions, and unexplained weight and muscle loss are symptoms. The causes of cachexia vary and most often are an indication that something’s wrong, such as a chronic illness. So then, what are some causes of unexplained weight loss, or cachexia?

Causes of Unexplained Weight Loss

Perhaps cachexia is better defined as a condition of a condition. Losing weight without diet or exercise could be related to diabetes, cancer, HIV or any number of chronic diseases. Even as a person continues to eat, weight continues to fall off.

The primary difference between cachexia and other conditions that cause weight loss is that people with cachexia lose weight no matter what. Eating makes no difference. Additionally, muscle is always lost with cachexia.

Who’s at Risk?

Cachexia rears its ugly head following the onslaught of disease, in a which comes first, the chicken or the egg type of phenomena. Cachexia is a devastating symptom of multiple diseases, some of which include:

·      Cancer

·      AIDS

·      Heart Failure

·      Cystic Fibrosis

·      Renal failure

·      Celiac disease

·      Crohn’s disease

·      Rheumatoid arthritis

·      Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – COPD

Cachexia can accompany any of the chronic diseases listed above and many more. However, if you have cancer, for instance, it isn’t a guarantee that you’ll also suffer from cachexia and the weight or muscle loss that accompanies it.

If you are experiencing unexplained weight loss, speak to your doctor to determine the cause.  Your doctor will use the following factors to determine if your weight loss is due to cachexia or explained otherwise. You will be diagnosed with cachexia when the following are present:

·      An intentional or unexplained lose more than 5% of your body weight.

·      Less than 10% of your body is body fat.

·      You’re less than 65 years of age with a Body Mass Index (BMI) that is less than 20, or, you’re older than 65 years of age and your BMI is less than 22.

·      Albumin levels are off. Albumin is produced in the liver and regulates fluid level. An albumin level that is less than 35 grams per liter could be a sign of cachexia. Swelling in different parts of the body can occur.

·      Increased cytokines in the bloodstream is an indication that the body is experiencing inflammation. High levels of cytokines will cause a reaction that will break down muscle.

There are treatments available to people suffering from cachexia. Your doctor will map out the best course of action for you, which could include growth hormones or medications that stimulate appetite. However, cachexia is rarely prevented or reversed by taking only dietary measures. Seek medical attention at the first sign of unexplained weight loss.

For partners in lifelong health and wellness, call Advanced Medical in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach at (561) 434-1935 or use our convenient appointment request form.

Filed Under: Weight Loss Tagged With: AIDS, cachexia, Cancer, Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, depression, Stress, Unexplained Weight Loss, Weight Loss

Primary Sidebar

March 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Feb    

Categories

  • Accidents & Injuries
  • ADHD
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • Bronchitis
  • Chronic Pain
  • Diabetes
  • Doctor
  • Erectile Dysfunction
  • Family Doctor
  • Family Medicine
  • Flu Season
  • General
  • Headache
  • health and wellness
  • Heart Health
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Hydration
  • Internal Medicine
  • Medicine
  • Migraines
  • Pain Management
  • Primary Care
  • Sexual Dysfunction
  • Sexual Health
  • Stress
  • Thyroid Conditions
  • Vaccination
  • Walk-In Clinic
  • Weight
  • Weight Loss
  • Whiplash

Tags

Advanced Medical Advanced Medical Clinic Arthritis blood pressure Bronchitis cardiology Chronic Pain Coronary Artery Disease diabetes doctor doctor in wellington doctor wellington ED Erectile dysfunction family doctor near me family medicine headaches Heart Disease Heart Health high blood pressure Hypertension hypertension treatment near me Internal Medicine migraines Orthopedics Pain Management PCP primary care primary care doctor in Royal Palm Beach FL primary care doctor in Wellington FL primary care doctor near me primary care near me primary care physician primary care physician near me primary care physician Wellington FL primary care Wellington FL Type 1 type 2 urgent care urgent care in Royal Palm Beach FL urgent care near me walk-in clinic walk-in clinic near me walk-in clinic Wellington FL whiplash treatment near me

Footer

CONTACT US

WELLINGTON OFFICE
3347 STATE ROAD 7 (441)
WELLINGTON, FL 33449
(561) 434-1935

PATIENT EDUCATION

For an A to Z listing of common conditions and treatments available, browse our interactive patient education center.

LEARN MORE

FOLLOW US

  • Home
  • Meet the Providers
  • Internal Medicine
  • Family Medicine
  • Patient Education
  • Request an Appointment
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Accessibility Statement
  • HIPAA Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
Copyright © · Adavanced Medical, PA · All Rights Reserved
iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

At Advanced Medical in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida, we offer a high standard of primary and urgent care including internal and family medicine.