Sudden weight loss can have many causes, almost always related to health problems. Either way, this is an important sign that should not be overlooked and warrants prompt medical consultation.
In today's age, the subject of body weight has many
aesthetic and social connotations. For this reason, the first thing to check is
that there has indeed been a sudden weight loss. Sometimes there is simply a
change in the perception of body image.
In this regard, Dr. Jorge Quiroga Vila, director of the
department of internal medicine at the Clínica Universidad de Navarra , points
out that up to 50% of patients who consult for a sudden weight loss, have not
actually lost significantly.
Sudden weight loss
Whenever there is sudden weight loss , a systemic disease
should be suspected . However, before anything else, the parameters of what
significant or medically relevant weight loss means should be set .
It is not easy to determine when weight loss is of concern.
However, there is a parameter on which there is almost absolute medical
consensus. It points out that any loss of 5% of body mass, in a period of
between 6 and 12 months , should be a reason for medical consultation.
Therefore, the important thing is not how many kilograms are
lost, but what percentage of the total body mass they represent. Thus, a person
weighing 100 kilos must suspect that something is wrong if he loses 5 kilos in
the indicated period. However, in a person weighing 50 kilos, the alert figure
is 2.5 kilos.
It is not enough to point out something that at first may
seem obvious, but it should always be emphasized: weight loss must be
involuntary . It is that the concern is that without something specific to do
to lose weight, produced thinning .
pérdida de peso
The red flag should be the involuntary loss of 5% of body
mass in less than a year
Keep reading: Cellular inflammation and obesity
Main causes
The causes of sudden weight loss are many, and in 75% of
cases it is possible to identify the reason. In general, weight is lost because
fewer calories are ingested than the
body needs, or because there is some disorder that prevents the body from
absorbing nutrients properly . Sometimes both factors are present.
It is very common for these sudden weight losses to be the
result of a state of depression . It is very important to analyze if there was
a previous grief, such as a death or a divorce, or some traumatic event, before
the person lost weight.
There are some diseases in which weight loss appears before
other symptoms . This is the case of tumors of the digestive system. Also from
some infectious diseases such as HIV , endocarditis, tuberculosis, and fungal
or parasitic diseases.
Weight loss is common in hyperthyroidism or
pheochromocytoma, diabetes mellitus, and adrenal insufficiency. Several types
of cancer are associated with weight loss, but in these cases there are usually
more symptoms.
peso corporal
There are chronic diseases that have sudden weight loss as
part of their symptoms, as is the case with some cancers
Find out more: Why do diets work for some people and not
others?
Age and weight loss
Age is a relevant factor when analyzing the causes and
consequences of weight loss. There are specific stages or circumstances in
which this situation occurs. Let's see:
Newborn Babies: It is not uncommon for babies to lose up to
10% of their body weight during their first 15 days of life. This is due to the
expulsion of fluids through feces or urine. From then on, he is expected to
gain half a pound per week through 6 months.
Older people: it is normal for there to be weight loss
during the aging process, as long as it occurs gradually. Loss of muscle and
bone mass is also normal. If it occurs suddenly it indicates health problems.
It should be noted that many times weight is lost during
pregnancy. This occurs in mothers who have dizziness and vomiting at the
beginning of pregnancy, and therefore cannot maintain an adequate diet. It is
important to consult with the doctor in such cases.
Emotional stress is also a frequent cause of weight loss.
High levels of cortisol as well as eating disorder leads to this. Likewise, the
compulsive consumption of psychoactive drugs can have a decisive influence on
weight.
What do we do if we detect a sudden weight loss?
If you detect that you have lost a lot of weight in a short
time, and you realize that alterations appear in the functioning of your body
that previously were not, you should consult a doctor. A health professional
will know how to guide you in the steps to follow to detect the cause and
advance in addressing the problem.
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