It is a decrease in body weight, when you are
not looking to lose weight.
Many people gain or gain weight. Unintentional weight loss is the loss of 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms)
or 5% of your normal body weight for 6 to 12 months or less without knowing the reason.
Causes
A loss of appetite can be caused by:
- feeling depressed
- Cancer, even when there are no other symptoms
- Chronic infections like AIDS
- Chronic diseases such as COPD or Parkinson's disease
- Drugs, including those used in chemotherapy, or antithyroid medications
- Use of illicit drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine
- stress or anxiety
Chronic digestive system problems that decrease the amount of calories and nutrients your body absorbs, including:
- Diarrhea and other infections that last a long time, such as parasites
- Chronic inflammation or infection of the pancreas
- Removal of part of the small intestine
- Excessive use of laxatives
Other causes such as:
- Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa that have not been diagnosed
- Diabetes that has not been diagnosed
- overactive thyroid gland
Tags
health