Weight Loss Without Trying - 4 Deadly Conditions to Look Out For

The total body weight of humans is usually at peak at 6^th decade of life, remaining stable till 9^th after which it starts to fall. However, the lean body mass starts declining after the 3^rd decade of life. If you or someone you know is having a weight loss without trying to do so, they are said to be suffering from unintentional weight loss. It can occur at any point in life. Medically, unintentional weight loss is defined as loss of 10lbs or more than 5% of one’s original body weight over 6 – 12 months. Weight loss without trying to do so denotes certain underlying conditions causing it, but before we take a look into them, let's first understand how does one lose weight without trying.

Mechanism of Unintentional Weight Loss

Our body stays in a state of caloric or energy balance. This means you usually consume approximately the same amount of calories each day, which keeps the body weight the same. However, if you consume lesser calories or food then you start losing weight. The other way round, if you keep the caloric intake the same, but for some or other reason, the body starts expending more calories, the weight starts to drop. In the latter the body starts using up the stored energy in fats and muscles, causing their breakdown and thus weight loss. This probably accounts for unintentional weight loss.

Four causes to suspect if you are experiencing weight loss without trying to do so

Many conditions might result in weight loss without intending to do so, by either promoting anorexia or increased energy expenditure. However, the top 4 that bags the ranks, and a must suspect if someone is having weight loss without trying includes:

• Cancer: The most dreaded one, as well as common cause of weight loss. Almost any type of cancer can cause unintentional weight loss. One should always suspect some kind of internal malignancy if one is losing weight without reason.
• Chronic Infections: Many infections can promote weight loss. Some notable one includes HIV AIDS, Tuberculosis, Fungal Diseases.
• Metabolic or Endocrinal Condition: Diabetes, Adrenal Dysfunction, Hyperthyroidism are known to cause weight loss. In fact, Hyperthyroidism increases the capacity of metabolism to an abnormally high level, as such people fail to keep up with the calorie consumption of the body by eating food and often end up losing weight.
• Psychiatric Disorder: Disorders like depression, Paranoia, Eating disorders can cause unintentional weight loss as well.

All though there are many other conditions of weight loss without trying to do so, like malabsorption syndrome, heart failure, age-related weight loss, medication-induced; but the above four accounts for the majority of causes, and one should always be on the lookout for them in case suffering from unintentional weight loss.

Unintentional Weight loss is often manifested as anorexia or decreased appetite, loss of muscles mass and fat, and dehydration. If these symptoms are present, one should seek medical advice to rule out the above-mentioned causes and get nutritional therapy and treat the underlying cause if any.