My father’s sudden weight loss

My 55-year-old father has suddenly lost some weight. Kindly advise us on what to do.

David (by SMS)

Losing weight without trying may indicate an underlying condition. Conditions that cause unexplained weight loss include overactive thyroid, inflammatory bowel disease, and depression. However, not all weight loss is serious.

Weight loss can occur after a life-changing or stressful event. However, significant unexplained or unintentional weight loss may be an early sign of an underlying medical condition.

Some health issues that can cause unintentional weight loss include the following: malabsorption, decreased appetite due to pain and discomfort, eating a restricted diet to prevent symptoms, pain from complications, such as strictures and obstructions, celiac disease, an autoimmune disease in which gluten causes the immune system to attack the body’s cells, can cause weight loss and nutritional deficiencies.

People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) may also experience reduced appetite, which leads to weight loss. Mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety, can affect the same parts of the brain that control appetite. This can lead to reduced appetite and, eventually, unintentional weight loss. In some people, depression or anxiety may increase appetite.

The symptoms vary from person to person. Unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more can be an early indicator of various types of cancer. An overactive thyroid develops when your thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone.

These hormones control many functions in the body, including metabolism. If your thyroid is overactive, you’ll quickly burn calories even if you have a good appetite. Because unintentional weight loss can happen due to various health conditions, a good rule of thumb is to consult your doctor if you’ve lost a significant amount of weight within 6 to 12 months. “Significant weight loss” usually means more than 5% of your body weight.

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