Unintentional weight loss

This is caused in most cases involuntarily, to be more specific; the body is not in control of its reflexes and can’t do anything about the weight loss. Without dieting and without exercise the body tends to lose weight dramatically faster than normal. The following reasons may be considered: 

• Appetite loss due to diarrhea or mouth sores
• Smoking
• Disorders in eating, lack of appetite
• Infections
• AIDS
• Drug abuse
• Malnutrition
• Depression
• Children’s manipulative behavior

When to tackle the problem of unintentional weight loss?

• If you or your adolescent daughter or son spends a lot of time exercising and not having regular food intake, dieting more than what is required.
• Within a short span of time like 5 to 12 months if your weight has reduced immensely or
• If there are other abnormal symptoms resulting in weight loss.

These should be immediately reported to a reputed physician and precautionary steps taken immediately to avoid further weight loss and deterioration of the body.

What questions to expect when visiting the physician?

An experienced physician will understand the symptoms and offer effective advice and medical treatment after taking a simple analysis and medical tests. A few of the possible questions that the physician may require you to answer are:

• Since when have you noticed that you are losing weight?
• Is the process of weight loss slow or fast?
• Are you dieting or exercising too much?
• Are there any mouth sores or dental problems?
• Are there any feelings of nausea?
• Do you have frequent uncontrollable hunger followed by sweating and palpitations?
• Do you have any kind of depression?
• Are you comfortable with your loss of weight?
• Are you taking any medications or drugs like Diuretics, Laxatives, Alcohol or narcotics?