Weight loss (weight loss) – causes, treatment and prevention

Weight loss or weight loss describes the unwanted or wanted reduction in body weight. Weight loss can have a variety of causes. Weight loss can occur as part of a diet , malnutrition, an eating disorder or as a symptom or consequence of a mental or organic disease.

The body weight of healthy people usually remains relatively stable over a longer period of time. Nevertheless, slight weight fluctuations are quite normal and usually do not require medical treatment.

causes

Severe weight loss can always have different causes. People can lose weight as a result of mental illnesses, such as depression, as well as physical illnesses, such as gastrointestinal infections , chronic intestinal diseases (e.g. Crohn’s disease, hyperthyroidism or food allergies. However, weight loss is often harmless and can be explained by a change in diet or through changes in lifestyle.

An unbalanced diet, known as malnutrition, often goes unnoticed and can be related to weight loss. The term malnutrition is often misunderstood and not only found in developing countries.

Malnutrition is also widespread in Germany. For example, elderly people may have difficulty chewing and swallowing due to poorly fitted dentures, leading to malnutrition. Another cause of malnutrition can also be, for example, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach or small intestine or a metabolic disorder.

Diseases

• hyperthyroidism

• food intolerance

• Depression

• gastrointestinal infection
• Crohn’s disease

When to the doctor?

Weight loss is usually a harmless phenomenon and often occurs as a result of changes in diet and lifestyle. A doctor should be consulted if weight loss occurs for no apparent reason, or if the weight loss is accompanied by a lack of appetite or signs of illness.

This also applies if there are side effects such as digestive problems, pain or circulatory problems. People who are already thin or suffer from an eating disorder should also see a doctor if they lose a lot of weight. The same applies if a lot of weight is lost in a short time or if dizziness and fatigue occur as a result.

This is especially true if the weight loss is prolonged or occurs despite a balanced diet. In general, a decrease in body weight should be clarified if it has a negative effect on well-being. Either the family doctor or, depending on the underlying condition, an internist, gastroenterologist, oncologist or endocrinologist is responsible. If a mental illness is suspected as the cause, a psychologist or a nutritionist should be consulted.

diagnosis and course

However, if there is no identifiable cause for weight loss, this requires a precise diagnosis and examination by a doctor. In doing so, the doctor will first ask in an anamnesis interview how many kilograms were lost in which period of time and whether there are any other symptoms in the form of diarrhea , pain or exhaustion . It is also of interest whether something has changed in terms of exercise or nutritional behavior.

Equally important is the question of previous illnesses, such as cancer or chronic inflammatory bowel disease, whether and which medications are being taken and whether there are any stressful professional or private situations. A glance at the scale shows the current weight of the person concerned and is compared with the body mass index (BMI). First of all, it can be determined whether you are underweight.

In order to find out the cause of the unwanted weight loss, physical examinations are also necessary. First of all, a pulse and blood pressure measurement is carried out, if necessary an ECG and an ultrasound examination follow . A blood test will then provide information about the possible cause. The values ​​of the thyroid gland, the blood sugar level, the liver and the kidneys as well as the blood lipid values ​​are particularly important here. A blood test also shows the red and white blood cells and the signs of inflammation in the body. A stool sample can also help to find the cause, for example to detect a worm infection.

complications

Weight loss (weight loss) is the result of a number of diseases that have various complications. Typically, weight loss occurs more or less voluntarily in anorexia . This has many complications, for example, the disease is associated with cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal problems, kidney disease, malnutrition and many more.

In addition, a general disturbance of digestion leads to weight loss. The body suffers from a lack of important substances such as vitamins or proteins, which causes typical deficiency symptoms such as anemia, edema or muscle cramps. Furthermore, an unwanted weight loss also occurs with an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). A goiter that develops can result in obstruction of the airways and thus breathing difficulties. Cardiac arrhythmias or infertility can also be the consequences. In the worst case, a thyrotoxic crisis can develop, which can lead to a coma and even death.

Diabetes , especially type I, also involuntarily leads to weight loss. The complications are feared. Untreated diabetes results in the blockage of smaller vessels in particular. In particular, the vessels in the eye and the kidneys are affected, but also nerves. This leads to diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness, diabetic nephropathy, which can lead to kidney failure, or neuropathy, which can lead to sensory disturbances, especially in the foot.

treatment and therapy

The therapy of the disease with the symptom of weight loss depends on the underlying cause. For example, if those affected have eaten incorrectly and eaten too little, it is important to normalize eating behavior again so that malnutrition does not develop. A doctor or a nutrition expert can be very helpful here.

If there is an eating disorder, such as anorexia, it is a mental illness that must be treated psychotherapeutically.

If an overactive thyroid gland is diagnosed as the cause, this is treated with appropriate medication. Medicines are also used in the event of a worm infection. A so-called anthelmintic is usually prescribed here.

If the weight loss was caused by cancer, specific treatment, such as surgery or chemotherapy, may be needed, depending on the type of cancer and its stage.

If certain medications are the cause of the weight loss, the weight will usually return to normal after the medication is stopped.

A healthy diet provides the body with all the important nutrients. If, despite optimizing your diet, nutrient absorption is not guaranteed, a doctor can prescribe appropriate drinking food as a supplement.

outlook and prognosis

In the case of weight loss, it is relatively difficult to make a general prediction about the further course of the complaint. This depends heavily on the cause of the weight loss. If the person concerned wants to lose weight, it can usually be stopped once the target weight has been reached. If the weight loss is due to an eating disorder , it is usually a very unhealthy condition and definitely needs to be stopped or treated by a doctor. However, many people find it difficult to stop weight loss when they have eating disorders.

In the worst case, this can lead to severe damage to the internal organs and even to the death of the patient. Weight loss can also be triggered by a tumor . This can only be stopped if the tumor is removed. Unfortunately, this is not possible in all cases, so that the person concerned may suffer from a reduced life expectancy. It is usually not possible to predict whether treatment will limit weight loss. However, if the underlying disease can be cured, weight loss can be counteracted in most cases.