Many people consider weight loss a blessing. But this is not the case every time. In some cases, there can be sudden weight loss that can be a symptom of some serious condition occurring in the body. Sudden changes in the body that lead to weight loss or weight gain can be dangerous to your health and so you need to know the reasons behind it in order to prevent misfortune. You have to understand that if weight loss occurs without any intentional activity, this may lead to medical complications, according to the specialized medical website “onlymyhealth”, which discussed this topic, its conditions and causes, including 7 health conditions that may be behind the cause of sudden weight loss.
1. Muscle loss
One of the problems that usually occur in elderly people that cause sudden weight loss is muscle loss. Muscle loss is a common problem because muscle mass begins to decline with age. However, this may also be possible due to muscle weakness. When you lose muscle, you lose weight, too. Muscle loss in younger adults occurs for people who have desk jobs or do not perform any physical activity that might reverse muscle loss. Muscle loss can also occur for the following reasons:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Nerve damage
– brain attack
Spinal injuries
– Multiple Sclerosis
Injuries and bone loss
2. Hyperthyroidism
This is a common cause of sudden weight loss for people with an underactive thyroid. It is also a symptom of an underactive thyroid. Hyperthyroidism develops when the thyroid gland produces too many hormones. These hormones can affect the body’s metabolism and thus lead to sudden weight loss in some cases. Because of the hyperthyroidism, it burns a much larger amount of calories, which leads to unintended weight loss in people.
3. Rheumatoid arthritis
It is an autoimmune disease that can cause your immune system to attack the lining of your joints. Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation in the tissues and thus affects a person’s metabolism in a way that reduces weight at a significant rate. This condition can also cause joint swelling and pain that can later feel stiff if you don’t move them for more than an hour.
Here are some of the causes that may lead to rheumatoid arthritis:
– genes
– hormonal changes
– smoking
– obesity
4. Diabetes
Another reason for weight loss can be type 1 diabetes. The immune system can be attacked for pancreatic dysfunction and insulin levels. Without insulin, the body cannot produce glucose for energy. This can lead to an increase in glucose levels and thus lead to health problems and sudden weight loss. Type 1 diabetes can cause:
– frequent urination
Dehydration in the body
– blurry vision
Excessive hunger
Excessive thirst
5. Depression
Sudden weight loss can also be caused by depression. The reason behind this is the hormones that are secreted in sadness or anxiety, as they interfere with the digestive system and cause weight loss. Depression actually affects the same part of the brain that is affected by appetite. A poor appetite eventually leads to weight loss. But this is not constant; It may change according to different people. But this is a good reason for the sudden and often overlooked weight loss.
6. Inflammatory bowel disease
Unexpected weight loss may affect IBD symptoms. This may also be true for chronic conditions caused by digestive issues as well. Two common types of IBD that lead to sudden weight loss are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Inflammatory bowel syndrome also leads to disruption of ghrelin, hunger hormones, and leptone hormones that reduce appetite and lead to sudden weight loss.
7. COPD
COPD is a progressive lung disorder that can lead to emphysema and chronic bronchitis. There are many people who suffer from these two conditions. Sudden weight loss can occur due to damage to the air sacs in the lungs, making it difficult for a person to breathe. Chronic bronchitis causes inflammation in the airways due to mucus, coughing, and breathing problems. COPD causes the following symptoms:
– Shortness of breath
– sadness
– whistling
A mild cough that can be with or without mucus.