Have you lost weight without trying to do it? Well, it's definitely something that a doctor needs to see. You see, weight loss that happens without any dietary change or physical activity is your body's way of telling you that it's not all right.
Suddenly losing weight can point to the underlying medical condition. In fact, weight loss is part of the early symptoms of some serious illnesses. Here are five diseases you need to know about:
HIV/AIDS
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is an infectious disease caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The virus attacks immune cells in the human body, known as T cells, making it difficult to fight infections. Untreated HIV can cause AIDS with painful symptoms such as sore throat, sore mouth, and tiredness. These symptoms cause problems with the consumption of food.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a treatment that can slow down HIV progression, but AIDS has no cure.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The word refers to a category of chronic inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract and Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the two most prevalent forms of IBD. Inflammatory bowel disease places the body in a catabolic mode, which ensures that it continuously consumes energy and has little or zero storage. It also disrupts the release of ghrelin, the starving hormone, and leptin, the satiety hormone, resulting in poor appetite and weight loss. Consult a gastroenterologist to determine if you require dietary assistance, treatment, or surgery.
Cancer
The accelerated growth of irregular cells in the pancreas, lung, stomach, and esophagus that cause cancer can also contribute to weight loss. Cancer triggers inflammation, encourages muscle weakening, and disrupts appetite-regulating hormones. Growing tumor/cancer can also increase the remaining energy expenditure (REE). Based on the type, development, and stage of operation, therapies can vary from surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious bacterial infection that damages the lungs and also contributes to weight loss. It is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but why the infection triggers signs that are not fully known. Tuberculosis is treated with antibiotics when multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB requires a 6-drug treatment, with an intense 6-to 9-month period and an 18-month continuity process. The average period of therapy is about 24 to 27 months.
Depression
Depression will interfere with your everyday routines. Stress feeding can be caused by depression, but it can also suppress appetite. Depression affects areas of the brain that regulate appetite, which can contribute to decreased food intake. As soon as possible, see a psychotherapist to cope with depression and find a way out of it.
Sudden weight loss is not normal and needs to be looked at. So, if you're going through this, visit your doctor at the earliest.
