Unintentional weight reduction raises concerns. Unexplained weight loss and growth are dangerous. Weight increase poses biological and aesthetic challenges, but weight decrease is first welcomed and overlooked until it becomes a significant issue that is hard to reverse.
"If you lose more than 5% of your weight in 6–12 months, notify your doctor, especially if you're older. That would be 8 pounds for 150 pounds and 10 pounds for 200 pounds. Unexpected weight loss may indicate a health issue."
It is believed that hyperthyroidism, diabetes, stress, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, and dementia are the most prevalent causes of rapid weight loss.
Diabetic weight loss is a silent killer that causes many other health problems. When there isn't enough insulin, the body's cells resort to utilizing fat and muscle for energy, leading to a decrease in total body mass. People are constantly thirsty and hungry because of this.
When more thyroid hormone is generated, the body's metabolism increases, burning more calories and causing weight loss without effort. Besides weight loss, this illness might cause frequent bowel movements and elevated heartbeat.
Hormones are produced in response to stress that alter digestion and metabolic rate. Both extremes—extreme weight growth and extreme weight loss—are well-documented effects of stress on one's body weight.
Loss of significant amounts of fat, muscle, and bone is characteristic of cardiac cachexia, a condition caused by complications with the heart. This results in rapid and, in many cases, permanent weight reduction.
An early indicator of cancer is weight loss. 40% of cancer patients lose weight unexplained. In 80% of advanced cancer patients, weight loss occurs. Weight loss is usually caused by esophageal, pancreatic, stomach, and lung cancers.
Medical experts say people breathe harder to live when their lungs don't work. COPD causes weight loss because breathing requires intense activity that consumes 10 times more calories.
Dementia typically causes weight loss. "This impairs thinking, memory, and social abilities. Later, you may lose a lot of weight due to forgetting to eat or having trouble chewing or swallowing.