Weight Loss
Nearly everyone understands the consequences of gaining too much weight. However, the unintended weight loss can be just as dangerous, as it may jeopardize the health or be a sign of an underlying condition. While weight changes may occur due to stressful changes in life, it’s a good idea to see your doctor if there’s no immediately apparent explanation for it to diagnose the condition.
Rheumatoid arthritis is one example of a condition that may trigger weight loss. And it may happen because the autoimmune disorder’s chronic inflammation can force the use of more energy. Muscle atrophy is another condition that may result in weight loss due to inactivity and multiple sclerosis. However, perhaps the most common medical condition behind weight loss is inflammatory bowel disorder, which reduces the ability of the body to digest food and absorb nutrients properly. IBS can also lead to frequent diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fatigue.
While it’s possible for body weight to naturally fluctuate, losing more than five percent of your baseline weight within six months to a year without any significant changes to your lifestyle isn’t normal. In these cases, it’s recommended to get checked up by a medical professional.