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What Causes Weight Loss And Aches In The Abdominal Area?
Question: I am a 69 yr old male with recent unexplained and continuing, weight loss, then a sight intermittent ache in the right abdominal region, lasting approximately six days, which went away. A recent ultrasound detected a ' focal hypoechoic mass, not definitively a simple cyst, in the body style measuring 0.6x0.5x1.0cm'. I am scheduled for an mri/mrcp later today. I am quite worried. Can you enlighten me regarding my condition and what I might expect going forward
Brief Answer:
I need more information
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I have gone through your question and understood your concern.
I want to say that the pain in this case is not a bad sign because the "bad diseases' do not cause pain.
You didn't mention where is localised the mass found in the abdomen ultrasound.
(give me as much details as you can)
I want to know more details about the pain and if you have other symptoms like Hypertension or hypotension,weakness,excessive sweat.
These symptoms can be suggestive to a possible adrenal disease(If the thickened left adrenal gland secrete excessive amount of an adrenal hormone.
Potential causes of unexplained weight loss can be:
-Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency)
-Cancer.
-Celiac disease.
-Changes in diet or appetite.
-Changes in sense of smell.
-Changes in sense of taste.
-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other lung diseases.
-Cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation)
It is important to discuss with your treating doctor because the differential diagnosis in this case is complicated.it is necessary to do some tests and investigations to reach the right cause.
The mri/mrcp will give a lot of necessary information.
Hope this information is helpful for you.
Wating your reply.
Take care
I need more information
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I have gone through your question and understood your concern.
I want to say that the pain in this case is not a bad sign because the "bad diseases' do not cause pain.
You didn't mention where is localised the mass found in the abdomen ultrasound.
(give me as much details as you can)
I want to know more details about the pain and if you have other symptoms like Hypertension or hypotension,weakness,excessive sweat.
These symptoms can be suggestive to a possible adrenal disease(If the thickened left adrenal gland secrete excessive amount of an adrenal hormone.
Potential causes of unexplained weight loss can be:
-Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency)
-Cancer.
-Celiac disease.
-Changes in diet or appetite.
-Changes in sense of smell.
-Changes in sense of taste.
-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other lung diseases.
-Cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation)
It is important to discuss with your treating doctor because the differential diagnosis in this case is complicated.it is necessary to do some tests and investigations to reach the right cause.
The mri/mrcp will give a lot of necessary information.
Hope this information is helpful for you.
Wating your reply.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Hello doctor. I am sorry I forgot to mention that the mass was discovered in the pancreas, possibly the body, according to the radiologists' report, 0.6x0.5x1.0cm, which I partially quoted. The previous pain was on the right side of abdomen, approximately three inches below rib cage. It lasted only occasionally, and was very slight, on and off for about 5-6 days then stopped. I have been on hypertension meds for years without a problem and I have mild C.O.P.D. No weakness or excessive sweating. My gall bladder was removed years ago. I have an enlarged prostate with a recent urinary infection and was in retention since 11/1/16 until two weeks ago and was on a foley catheter. On 12/9/16 I had a prostate procedure, fairly new, called Rezum, and was still on the foley catheter along with self cathing until aproximately two weeks ago when I finally started urinating on my own. Hopefully I have recovered from that but from 11/1/16 until just recently I was under much stress with the urinary condition. I noticed the weight loss during that time, 11/1/16 until recently , but thought it was due to my stressed out situation. Hope this helps. Thank you, XXXX
Brief Answer:
Stress can be the culpit.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Yes,all the details of your medical history are helpful.
You're right.The stress can be a major cause of weight loss.Anyway in this case,if you manage stress and eat healthy and start a hypercaloric diet,normalyy you can gain weight.
The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be another potential cause of your weight problem.
The urinary tract problems of the last months can be another cause of your lack of appetite and weight loss.
You mention that you have not symptoms that can be produced by a adrenal problem(as we discussed earlier).So very probably your "Thickened left adrenal" is not secretive.
This means that it is not a problem.If you were my patient i will recommend you a follow up after 6 month(CT scan of adrenal to see if the dimensions of left adrenal change.If the dimensiones increase and you have symptoms,than will be necessary to do some hormonal tests.)
The adrenal condition that can cause weight loss id adrenal insufficiency.But in your case this condition is excluded because you have not the symptoms of Addison's disease.
About the pancreatic mass,the The mri/mrcp will give all the necessary information and the doctors will explain you if it can be the cause of your weight loss.
So,you have a lot of potential causes that can cause weight loss.
Anyway,don't worry.in my opinion stress is the culpit and if you control your stress you will feel much better.
Hope i have clarified your doubts.If you have other queries,feel free for discussions.
Thanks for using HCM.
Wish you good health.
Stress can be the culpit.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Yes,all the details of your medical history are helpful.
You're right.The stress can be a major cause of weight loss.Anyway in this case,if you manage stress and eat healthy and start a hypercaloric diet,normalyy you can gain weight.
The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be another potential cause of your weight problem.
The urinary tract problems of the last months can be another cause of your lack of appetite and weight loss.
You mention that you have not symptoms that can be produced by a adrenal problem(as we discussed earlier).So very probably your "Thickened left adrenal" is not secretive.
This means that it is not a problem.If you were my patient i will recommend you a follow up after 6 month(CT scan of adrenal to see if the dimensions of left adrenal change.If the dimensiones increase and you have symptoms,than will be necessary to do some hormonal tests.)
The adrenal condition that can cause weight loss id adrenal insufficiency.But in your case this condition is excluded because you have not the symptoms of Addison's disease.
About the pancreatic mass,the The mri/mrcp will give all the necessary information and the doctors will explain you if it can be the cause of your weight loss.
So,you have a lot of potential causes that can cause weight loss.
Anyway,don't worry.in my opinion stress is the culpit and if you control your stress you will feel much better.
Hope i have clarified your doubts.If you have other queries,feel free for discussions.
Thanks for using HCM.
Wish you good health.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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