If you've noticed a friend or relative has lost an alarming amount of weight quickly or you've experienced extreme weight loss yourself, you might be concerned -- and rightfully so because extreme weight loss can be the result of serious illness or even an eating disorder. While you might think weight loss is only the result of daily exercise and a strict diet, paying too much attention to what you eat or losing weight without changing your eating habits should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible.
Eating Disorders
When you are obsessed with your weight and restrict your caloric intake so severely that you lose an extremely large amount of weight, you could be suffering from an eating disorder, which can affect anyone of any age. In fact, KidsHealth.org, a division of the Nemours Foundation, notes that one to two of every 100 teens will struggle with an eating disorder. Anorexia and bulimia are two common forms of eating disorders, both of which can cause an alarming rate of weight loss along with a whole host of other health problems.
Illness
Certain illnesses cause your body and digestive system to malfunction, resulting in extreme weight loss, which can be the work of certain cancers, AIDS and hyperthyroidism. It's imperative that you schedule an appointment with your doctor if you experience sudden and extreme weight loss, even when you haven't changed your diet or daily activities. Your doctor will run a series of tests to check for certain diseases that could result in weight loss and proceed with treatment.
Intestinal Parasites
No one wants to think about the possibility of parasites in the body. But parasites -- small worms that inhabit the human body and digestive system -- can cause extreme weight loss. The most common parasites, helminths and protozoa, can feed on the waste that passes through your intestines. Common in the elderly and children, you'll need prescription medication to kill the parasites to begin gaining weight back again.
Depression
One of the signs of depression is a lack of appetite and extreme weight loss due to the lack of nutrition. If you feel sad or anxious, have a loss of interest and are experiencing a loss of appetite and weight loss, it's time to speak to your doctor, especially if you lose 5 percent of your weight in a single month. Together, you can decide on the treatment options that are best for you and your depression to get better.
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