If you're experiencing problems with unintentional weight loss or unexplained nausea, it may be time to see a doctor. Weight loss may be a symptom of a broad range of conditions ranging from malnutrition to cancer, while nausea can be a sign of conditions as varied as pregnancy and heart attack. If your nausea leads to severe bouts of vomiting, it could cause weight loss.
Nausea
The American College of Gastroenterology defines nausea simply as "the unpleasant urge to vomit." Many people experience nausea without vomiting, and it's also possible to vomit without feeling nauseous. Feeling nauseous alone won't lead to weight loss, but it may affect the appetite and lead to weight loss. People also may shed pounds if nausea leads to vomiting over an extended time. With most vomiting, dehydration is the major concern.
Nausea Causes
People may feel nauseous for numerous reasons. Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, notes that some of the common causes are viral infections, motion sickness, migraine headaches and some medications. Morning sickness is a common form of nausea that affects many pregnant women. Food poisoning and allergies, bulimia, brain tumors, peptic ulcers and alcoholism are other possible causes.
Weight Loss
Medline Plus describes unintentional weight loss as any drop in body weight that is not brought on by dieting or exercise. It recommends calling your doctor if you've lost more than 5 percent of your normal body weight over six to 12 months or less, if you can't explain the reason for the drop in pounds. Medline Plus also recommends parents consult a health care provider if their child seems to have an unrealistic self-image and is dieting too much.
Weight Loss Causes
Some of the common causes of unintentional weight loss are AIDS, cancer, depression, chronic diarrhea, drugs and drug abuse, infection, hyperthyroidism, malnutrition and smoking. Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia may lead to weight loss. People who have painful mouth sores, loss of teeth or braces on their teeth also may experience unintentional weight loss. Depending on the cause, a health care provider may recommend medical, dental or psychological care.
Warning
Weight loss and nausea may be experienced together or separately, but it's necessary to get to the root of the problem for proper treatment. Medications can easily cause both conditions and a change of prescription may be all it takes to improve. The nausea and temporary weight loss that often go along with viral infections may resolve without any treatment, but other more serious conditions may require immediate medical care.
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