Unexplained weight loss is defined by MayoClinic.com as dropping pounds when you don't intend to. While some people who are overweight may find this an appealing condition, unexplained weight loss may actually be an indication of a serious problem you should see your doctor about. Especially when weight loss is accompanied by fatigue, you should seek medical help.
Identification
Losing a few pounds here or there, especially due to water weight or exercise, is relatively normal. However, a drop of more than 10 pounds over a short period of time, or an unexplained drop of more than 5 percent of your body weight is a concern that should be brought up with your doctor, according to MayoClinic.com. Smaller drops in weight over a longer period of time that don't accompany significant changes in your diet or exercise routine may also be cause for concern.
Causes
There are many things that may be causing your sudden drop in weight along with fatigue. It's important not to jump to any conclusions before you see a doctor, however. Your condition could simply be a mild illness that's causing loss of appetite and diarrhea, which causes you to lose larger amounts of fluid from your body. Some of the more serious causes of sudden weight loss are cancer, gastrointestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, infections such as tuberculosis or HIV, the type of medication you're taking or a neurological illness such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease.
Effects
Drastic changes in weight loss can wreak havoc on your body, especially when they happen over a short period of time. As you lose weight, your body begins to feed off your muscle tissue in the absence of fat stores, causing you to lose lean muscle tissue at an elevated rate. Rapid weight loss also leads to an increase in fatigue, weakness and an inability to carry out everyday tasks.
Seeing Your Doctor
Once you've identified your rapid weight loss, it's time to talk to your doctor and find out the cause. According to MedlinePlus, your doctor will ask you a series of questions about changes in your appetite, medications you're taking, other seemingly unrelated symptoms, and your usual level of energy compared to how you've been feeling lately. Depending on the diagnosis, your doctor may switch the medication you're on, take further tests to determine the cause of the weight loss or change your diet.
Eating Disorders
If you notice unexplained weight loss or fatigue in another person you care about, there is a possibility an eating disorder -- such as anorexia or bulimia -- could be the cause. Eating disorders are a serious health concern and can cause lasting damage to the body. Talk with the person you're concerned about in a loving, compassionate way and encourage her to seek the help of a mental health professional as well as a physician in order to get back to a healthy weight.
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