09:02 p.m
Monday, November 11, 2024
You can lose weight without trying to show health problems, especially if the reduction is obvious and reaches 5% of weight.
“It’s not unusual to experience significant weight loss without changing the amount of food you eat, being more physically active, or trying to lose weight,” says a nutritionist Christine Gokasian of the University of California, Los Angeles, according to Health Day.
Any loss greater than that, without a change in diet or physical activity, indicates an underlying health problem, from cancer, digestive diseases, to mental health disorders.
“Weight loss becomes a concern when it reaches 5 kg, or 5% of body weight, over a period of 6 to 12 months,” explained Gokasyan.
Elderly people, especially those who live in nursing homes, have a higher risk of losing weight.
Reports indicate that 2 out of 10 elderly people lose weight unexpectedly.
Medical reports also point out that more than a third of those who talk to their doctor about losing weight without trying have undiagnosed cancer.
About 4 out of 10 cancer diagnoses start this way.
Weight loss is not just a sign of advanced cancer. Weight loss has been reported in people with early-stage colon, pancreatic and lung cancer, so it’s essential to see a doctor whenever weight starts to drop unexpectedly.
Cases of unexplained weight loss between 10% and 20% are due to digestive system problems, such as: chronic diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, or excessive use of laxatives.
In addition to eating disorders, mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and stress, can affect appetite.
2024-11-11 07:02:00
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