Several health conditions are characterized by weight loss, loss of appetite and pain or swelling in the armpits. While many of these conditions are not life-threatening, you should pay attention to these symptoms and discuss them with a health care provider. Talk to your doctor about these and any other unusual symptoms you are experiencing.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is cancer of the breast tissue that can potentially spread to other areas of your body. As breast cancer advances, it is not unusual for lumps to form in your armpits. These lumps may be hard and have irregular edges. However, these lumps are not always painful. As the disease progress, cancer patients commonly lose weight and their appetites, particularly after receiving chemotherapy.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by abnormal pains in the abdomen along with either constipation or diarrhea. Along with these symptoms, IBS in the large intestine may cause pain in your left armpit due to splenic flexure syndrome. Unintentional weight loss is often a symptom of IBS as well
Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is a condition in which various organs become inflamed. The organs affected often include the lungs, liver, spleen, salivary glands, eyes or lymph nodes. Weight loss and armpit pain are possible with this condition as well as loss of energy, night sweats, depression, coughing and wheezing. In most cases, this condition is not fatal; however, rarely the heart and brain are affected, which may result in more serious health complications.
Mononucleosis
A virus called Epstein-Barr causes mononucleosis, sometimes referred to as the kissing disease. This virus causes fever and lack of energy, along with loss of appetite and swollen glands in the armpits. Mono is spread through the saliva and is often contracted by sharing eating utensils with others who carry the virus. Illness from this long-lasting virus usually persists for about a month.
Member Comments