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Does Unintentional Weight Loss Indicate Serious Illness?

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Posted on Tue, 10 Feb 2015
Question: What does it mean if a person is losing weight unintentionally? Does that mean they have a serious illness?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
It usually means some chronic illness

Detailed Answer:
Hello

My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem.

I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. It means that patient is loosing weight despite having healthy/balanced diet and is a matter of concern. There are some chronic diseases like Tuberculosis, cancer varieties, hepatitis, hookworm infection & HIV/AIDS which may causes unexplained weight loss. So whenever a patient comes with this complaint then its further evaluated for these common and other conditions.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you good health !!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (9 minutes later)
What if no symptoms are present apart from weight loss?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Patient re-evaluation thoroughly required.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for getting back with the query.

Yes, in some cases it might also happen. Underlying disease remains silent/dormant and only manifestation is of weight loss. In that case patient is thoroughly re-evaluated. It starts from detailed history, general physical examination & some basic lab investigations like CBC, Chest X-ray, Ultrasound abdomen, etc. Results from all these help us to reach a definitive diagnosis.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.

Wishing you good health !!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (18 minutes later)
can it be caused by stress/anxiety?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, quite possibillity

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thank you for the follow-up query.

yes, it is possible that stress/anxiety may cause weight loss. As i mentioned earlier that while taking history one goes through all aspects of patient including his/her personal history and we do ask questions about depression & stress as well. Long term stress/depression can also result in weight loss.

I'll be happy if you have any more followup query.

Wishing you good health !!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (4 hours later)
Thanks. Can i also ask can trigmenial sensory neuropathy cause atrophying of muscles in face?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No it does not cause in almost all cases

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thank you for the follow-up query.

No, in almost all cases sensory neuropathy does not cause atrophy of muscles. It is only the loss of sensations over that particular area. Motor neuropathy does cause atrophy of muscles because in later case, tone (motor supply) is lost and muscles looses its function resulting in atrophy.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.

Wishing you good health !!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (1 hour later)
What ablut the swelling
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes it subsides in most cases

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thank you again for the follow-up query.

Yes, swelling subsides(in most cases) with the passage of time but it needs close follow-up care under the supervision of a neurologist & physiotherapist.

Feel free to get back with further query. If none left then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.

Wishing you a good health!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (4 hours later)
Because the right side of my face has neuropathy and it seems more chubbier and saggier
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please visit a neurologist

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the followup query.

I would recommend you in this case to set an appointment with a neurologist followed by a physiotherapist. Both are specialist in respective fields for treating it. They will examine you in detail and keep a regular followup check for prognosis.

Feel free to get back in case of a doubt. If clear then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.

wishing you good health.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2013

Answered : 1312 Questions

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Does Unintentional Weight Loss Indicate Serious Illness?

Brief Answer: It usually means some chronic illness Detailed Answer: Hello My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem. I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. It means that patient is loosing weight despite having healthy/balanced diet and is a matter of concern. There are some chronic diseases like Tuberculosis, cancer varieties, hepatitis, hookworm infection & HIV/AIDS which may causes unexplained weight loss. So whenever a patient comes with this complaint then its further evaluated for these common and other conditions. Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it. Wishing you good health !!