What Are the Causes of Increased Weight Loss?

What Are the Causes of Increased Weight Loss?
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Many people want to lose a pound or two, but when the weight starts flying off, it can be cause for concern--especially if you can't think of a concrete reason why the sudden increase would occur. Learning the cause of your increased weight loss is vital for ensuring you're in good health.

Change in Diet

A sudden change in your diet might result in an increase in the amount of weight you lose. It may not even be noticeable if, for example, you recently changed jobs or find yourself keeping a hectic schedule. You might miss meals or eat less at meals because of stress without realizing it. If this becomes habitual, increased weight loss could occur. Switching to a healthier diet or going vegetarian could result in a loss of weight as well.

Change in Exercise

A change in your workout routine could also be to blame for your increased weight loss. If you were formerly inactive but recently started exercising, sudden and dramatic weight loss is possible. Likewise, if you increased the duration or intensity of your workouts, you may see an increase in the amount of weight you lose. The same goes for if you switched jobs and find yourself on your feet more often. Simply sitting less could cause an increase in weight loss.

Digestive Issues

For some, digestive problems could be to blame for their increased weight loss. Malabsorption, or the body's inability to absorb nutrients properly, could cause you to lose weight, even if you're eating normally. Conditions like this include ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, Crohn's disease and others. A decrease in appetite from aging could also cause you to simply eat less and lose more weight.

Disease

Diseases and illnesses might be the cause of your increased weight loss as well. Diseases that cause a decreased appetite, malabsorption, diarrhea or nausea include cancer, heart disease, congestive heart failure and kidney disease, says MayoClinic.com. Immediate treatment is required to address the disease and to allow you to regain the weight you lost.

References

Article reviewed by Lisa Michael Last updated on: Feb 21, 2011

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