Causes of unexplained weight loss

Usually illnesses and disorders are a main reason of unexplained or unpremeditated weight loss. There are so many reasons for the weight loss. Loss of desire for food (anorexia) is often concerned and may be due to a wide range of reasons , such as decreased activity levels, a general ill feeling (malaise), pain or hypercalcemia (excessive calcium in the blood, caused by disorders including sarcoidosis and hyperparathyroidism). However, some metabolic disorders, notably diabetes and hyperthyroidism, can affect a person to eat too much but still lose weight.

Another general reason for weight loss is malnutrition. There are many causes of malnutrition that include intestinal obstructions, ignorance of dependent individuals by caregivers, some conditions due to stroke or Parkinson's diseasesuch as impaired swallowing (dysphagia), or difficulty eating from severe rheumatoid arthritis.

Vomiting and Nausea may also be a cause. Many times range from migraines to pregnancy to pancreatitis to chemotherapy.

Circumstances associated with weight loss are:

• Eating disorders, including bulimia and anorexia nervosa
• Other digestive problems and gastrointestinal, including chronic diarrhea , colitis, food intolerances, ulcers and some liver and gallbladder diseases.
• Many cancers, including colorectal, stomach, esophageal, pancreatic and lung, and cancer treatments including chemotherapy, radiation therapy , surgery and some types of hormonal or biological therapy.
• Depression
• Endocrine disorders including diabetes, forms of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland) such as Graves' disease, forms of hyperadrenalism (underactive adrenal glands) such as Addison's disease, and hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands).
  Pain conditions. Examples include chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus, migraines or other severe headaches, myositis, polymyalgia rheumatica, sarcoidosis, temporal arteritis, TMJ disorder and certain forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis of the jaw or ankylosing spondylitis.
• Infectious states such as AIDS, tuberculosis or parasitic infection.
  Neurological conditions, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's disease.
  The use of specific medications, including amphetamines, laxatives, some thyroid drugs andsome diabetes drugs (e.g., incretins, biguanides).

Some temporary factors also may affect unintentional weight loss. For example, people with mouth sores or acute and chronic dental problems often avoid from eating, this results in weight loss that remains until their oral symptoms get better. Other illnesses such as flu or cold may reduce appetite for the time being and cause weight loss.

Many recent researches have found that unexplained weight loss may lead to Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.

Nonmedical factors could also cause unwanted weight loss. Children and adults sometimes lose weight as a way to gain sympathy or attention. Some smokers discover that tobacco could reduce their appetite.