Weight loss is a goal for many people. Whether it’s for health or vanity reasons, losing a few pounds is often seen as a good thing. However, this change is not always a welcome change, especially if it happens out of the blue when one isn’t dieting or particularly plans on slimming down.
One should be concerned over a 5% drop in body weight that happens over the course of half a year as it can be a sign of something more serious. These are some of the probable culprits behind unplanned weight loss.
Thyroid Issues
Hyperthyroidism often manifests in weight loss, according to endocrinologist Dr. Anne Cappola. This condition happens when the thyroid gland produces more hormones than usual causing certain changes in the body.
Eating Too Little
Aging adults may notice how their appetite and fullness signals have become somewhat reduced over time. This can result in them eating less, not getting enough nutrients and ultimately losing weight.
To counter this phenomenon, Dr. Kerry Hildreth recommends people to make sure that they eat their daily required protein. Doing so would help the body perform functions like stabilizing blood sugar levels, curbing hunger, and building muscle mass better.
Celiac Disease Indicator
Another reason why people may be suddenly dropping weight is that they have undiagnosed or unmanaged celiac disease.
The autoimmune disorder leads to damage in a person’s small intestine whenever they consume foods with gluten in them. This then decreases the intestine’s ability to properly absorb nutrients.
Similarly, Crohn’s disease, a kind of inflammatory bowel disease, can also lead to weight loss because of malabsorption.
Pancreatitis Symptom
The pancreas is a part of the body that’s responsible for the production of enzymes meant to aid in the digestive process. Thus, issues affecting it can lead to unexpected weight loss as well.
This is particularly evident in people who suffer from chronic pancreatitis, a condition characterized by the inflammation of the pancreas. Some telltale symptoms of this disease are diarrhea, discolored stool, stomach pain, and the feeling of nausea after eating fat-rich foods.
Loss of Appetite Due to Depression
Having depression can lead the sufferer to lose their appetite causing them to suddenly lose weight without wanting to. And in some cases, depressed people usually don’t even notice the change because they are deep in their low mood.
Aside from weight loss, other symptoms of the specific mental illness are troubles with sleeping, inability to decide, heavy drinking, and increased irritability, according to Cappola.
However, it’s also important to note that other depressed people deal with the opposite and can actually gain weight over time because of their condition.