Various health problems can arise after you lose weight, depending on whether you intended to lose weight and whether you achieved your weight loss in a healthy manner. The major problems caused by weight loss arise when you lose weight unintentionally or rapidly, or when you lose significant amounts of weight. If you're experiencing any health issues due to weight loss, consult a physician.
Unintended Weight Loss
Although most people are happily surprised by unexpected weight loss, concerns arise if you unintentionally lose more than 10 pounds or 5 percent of your body weight. Persistent unintended weight loss may indicate an underlying health problem or disease, such as cancer, neurological disorders, serious infection, endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal disease or malabsorption disorder. Emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease also can cause unintended weight loss, as can congestive heart failure, Crohn's disease, gastric atonia, aging and certain over-the-counter or prescription medications.
Rapid Weight Loss
Losing more than 2 pounds per week can cause you to actually lose lean tissue and essential fluids rather than fat. Rapid weight loss usually is not sustainable over the long term. Drastically reducing calorie consumption and exercising excessively can lead to starvation-like states. After rapid weight loss, you can enter an unhealthy cycle of losing and gaining weight. Diet programs and diet pills that cause rapid weight loss may be dangerous to your health.
Significant Weight Loss
Losing 100 pounds or more can leave you with excess skin that can become aesthetically unappealing, irritated and even infected. Some people have cosmetic surgery to remove the excess skin.
Considerations
To reduce or eliminate any potential problems caused by weight loss, consult your doctor before and during your weight-loss endeavors. Your healthcare provider can help you devise a healthy and safe weight-loss plan, including a nutritious diet and effective exercise regimen. To prevent problems caused by weight loss and support healthy, sustainable weight loss, avoid diet gimmicks and instead aim to make lifelong changes to your physical activity level and eating habits.
References
- University of Michigan Health System: Obesity -- Should I Use a Diet Plan to Lose Weight?
- MayoClinic.com: Unexplained Weight Loss
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center: Weight Loss, Undesired
- MayoClinic.com: Fast Weight Loss -- What's Wrong With It?
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Post-Bariatric Surgery Body Contouring
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