There are several reasons for sudden weight loss, and we have listed the most common ones! These may be the causes of sudden weight loss!
But first, what do we call sudden weight loss? We talk about sudden weight loss when you lose more than 5% of your body weight suddenly and involuntarily.
Main causes of sudden weight loss
Digestive problems: coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease that can cause weight loss and diarrhoea. Pancreatic disorders can also cause weight loss. Signs of the disease may include nausea, nausea and changes in bowel movements and bowel movements.
Diabetes: in early diabetes, sudden weight loss and a constant urge to urinate may be common, along with a constant thirst. This may be because the glucose that gets into the body does not want to reach the tissues and therefore not enough nutrients reach the muscles, causing weight loss. This glucose is perceived by the body as excess, but it is not, and it starts to be excreted immediately.
Depression: sometimes depression can cause a person to lose their appetite and suddenly lose a lot of weight, but it can also cause a person to have an increased appetite and suddenly start to gain weight. If, in addition to weight loss, you are often anxious, have trouble sleeping and feel anxious, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Poor diet: if someone neglects to eat or eats too little, they can still lose a lot of weight. Taking medication for chronic illnesses can also cause a loss of appetite.
Thyroid problems: an overactive thyroid gland can also cause sudden weight loss. If you are experiencing increased hunger and heart rhythm disturbances, make sure you get yourself checked out. You may also experience sweating, diarrhoea, sleep disturbance and mood swings if you have a thyroid problem. The most obvious symptoms are sudden weight and muscle loss. If you also experience increased hunger and heart rhythm disturbances along with rapid weight loss, you may suspect an overactive thyroid. Sudden weight loss can also occur in men due to thyroid problems. In today’s fast-paced and stressful world, this is a common problem for men, not just women.
What to know about stress weight loss?
The impact of stress on weight can be complex and varied. Some people gain weight under stress, while others may lose weight under stress. Stress-induced weight loss is often one of the causes of slow weight loss.
Loss of appetite or increase in appetite: stress can change the appetite of some people. Some people may lose their appetite and eat less, while others may turn to stress eating, which can lead to higher calorie intake.
Increased cortisol levels: stress causes the body to produce the hormone cortisol, also known as the “stress hormone”. High cortisol levels can affect metabolism in the long term, increasing fat deposits around the abdomen, which can lead to weight gain.
Sleep disturbances: stress can often lead to sleep disturbances, and poor sleep can be linked to weight changes. Inadequate or disturbed sleep can affect hormones that regulate hunger and fullness, such as leptin and ghrelin, which can lead to weight problems in the long term.
Stressful lifestyle changes: under stress, people often change their lifestyle. For example, they take less time to eat healthily or exercise, and turn to addictive habits (such as drinking or smoking) rather than stress management methods.
Emotional eating: many people associate stress with eating, and eat driven by emotions or moods rather than hunger or a real need for food. This can lead to weight gain in the long run.
Causes of weight loss in women
Menopause: sudden weight loss in women is often attributed to menopause. This is because during menopause women experience hormonal changes that can affect metabolism and body fat distribution. This can lead to unwarranted weight loss in women.
Hormonal disorders: in women, certain hormonal disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is linked to cysts in the ovaries, can affect metabolism and cause weight gain.
Causes of weight loss in men
Low testosterone: Low testosterone levels can reduce muscle mass and metabolism, which can affect weight and weight loss.
Prostate problems: certain types of prostate inflammation or prostate enlargement are often associated with loss of appetite or pain, which can cause weight loss.
Psychological reasons for sudden weight loss: unfortunately, it is also possible to lose weight for psychological reasons and suddenly. A prolonged period of stress or a family tragedy can cause this. In this case, it is always worth seeing a professional who can help you with your psychological problems. The psychological causes of drastic weight loss can also be the following for both sexes. It can be due to depression, physical or psychological fatigue.
Among the causes of sudden and rapid weight loss are:
High physical activity: regular exercise increases energy expenditure, which leads to weight loss.
Metabolic disorders: Certain metabolic disorders, such as hypothyroidism, can reduce the body’s use of energy, which can lead to rapid weight loss.
Stress: Sudden weight loss can also occur as a result of stress, mainly manifested by changes in appetite and hormonal changes.
Among the causes of sudden weight loss and loss of appetite, there are also certain medications that can cause this side effect!
What is sudden weight loss?
We usually talk about sudden weight loss when someone suddenly loses more than 5% of their body weight in a week or two.
Unfortunately, dieting can harm your health. Before anyone starts a diet, it is worth checking it out. Fasting is a common method, but it is important to know that you are doing yourself harm. It can cause serious problems for the digestive system and metabolism in the long term. You may lose a few kilos in the beginning but you can’t really tolerate it if you are starving.
The reasons for weight loss in men specifically can also be interesting. Because there are differences between the female and male body, the reasons for weight loss may be different, but not always. It could be due to insomnia or irritability, even if the diet is exactly the same.
The consequences of sudden weight loss
Sudden weight loss can have a variety of consequences, including:
Anaemia: Dietary changes or rapid weight loss can lead to a lack of key blood components such as iron, which can cause anaemia.
Fatigue and weakness: A lack of energy to support muscles and joints can lead to fatigue and weakness as a result of weight loss.
Skin problems: The elasticity and texture of the skin may change due to rapid weight loss, resulting in age spots, stretch marks or sagging.
Digestive problems: Rapid weight loss means that the digestive system has less time to process food, which can cause digestive problems such as abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhoea.
You have to be very careful with fad diets because they can be dangerous.
A low-carb diet can even cause mental and physical decline. You may experience dizziness, headaches and even a rise in cholesterol levels. There can also be downsides to a protein diet. The rice diet is very popular, but its monotonous nature can lead to vitamin deficiencies and dehydration. There is also the potato and egg diet which can increase cholesterol and cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Eating only one type of fruit is also not recommended, as it will leave the body lacking in many important nutrients and minerals. This applies to any fruit diet such as apples, pineapples, grapes or nuts. Drinking diets can also cause iron deficiency. We don’t want to discourage anyone from dieting, but you need to watch out for these things or you could easily go wrong.
What are the causes of muscle loss?
Inactivity or low activity: muscles need to be stimulated with regular exercise and movement to maintain their strength and size. If someone leads an inactive or less active lifestyle for a long period of time, lack of muscle stimulation can lead to muscle loss.
Age: During the natural process of ageing, the human body becomes more prone to muscle loss. Older people generally find it more difficult to maintain and increase muscle mass.
Diseases or injuries: certain diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure and cancers, as well as injuries, surgery or prolonged bed rest, can lead to muscle wasting.
Nutritional deficiencies: without the right nutrients, muscles cannot develop and maintain themselves properly. Lack of protein, energy, vitamins and minerals can contribute to muscle loss.
Excessive calorie deficit: Consuming too few calories for an extended period of time can lead to the breakdown of muscle mass to meet the body’s energy needs.
Hormonal changes: certain hormones, such as testosterone and growth hormone, are key to muscle growth. Hormone imbalances or decreasing hormone levels can lead to muscle loss.
Chronic stress: prolonged exposure to stress can lead to the release of a stress hormone called cortisol, which can damage muscle tissue.
