What diseases can sudden weight loss be a warning sign of?

Despite not intending to lose weight, not dieting, and not engaging in high-intensity exercise, many people still experience rapid weight loss. What medical condition could this be a sign of?

Experts warn that unusual weight loss can be a warning sign of many medical conditions - Illustration image.

Cancer detected after prolonged cough and unusual weight loss.

Ms. TNC (60 years old, Hanoi ) had been experiencing a persistent cough with phlegm for the past two weeks, along with rapid weight loss of 8 kg in just two months. However, due to her complacency, thinking the cough was just a common respiratory illness, she did not seek medical attention and waited until her routine health check-up to get it checked.

At the medical facility, she underwent a full range of tests and paraclinical examinations. Thyroid ultrasound results showed nodular hypertrophy in both lobes, along with multiple bilateral cervical lymph nodes exhibiting atypical inflammatory characteristics. Abdominal ultrasound revealed additional lymph nodes around the celiac artery.

Specifically, images from the MSCT chest scan (without contrast) revealed bilateral chronic bronchitis, with the appearance of a sub-lobular mass in the left lung with a very high degree of suspected malignancy. Additionally, a small hazy nodule was detected in the middle lobe of the right lung, suspected to be a secondary lesion.

Based on these symptoms, doctors diagnosed her with suspected metastatic lung cancer. Ms. C. has now been transferred to Military Hospital 175 for further specialized treatment.

Dr. Bui Thi Cam Binh, an internal medicine specialist, shared the case of Mrs. C. as a warning against complacency regarding symptoms such as persistent cough and unexplained weight loss. Waiting until a routine check-up allowed the disease to progress to a stage suspected of metastasis, significantly reducing the chances of complete treatment.

"Everyone should proactively seek medical attention if they experience any persistent unusual symptoms, especially those of unknown origin such as coughing, weight loss, and prolonged fatigue," Dr. Binh advised.

What diseases can weight loss be a warning sign of?

According to Dr. Nguyen Van Hoa - Department of Outpatient Services , Central Military Hospital 108 , weight loss is defined as a decrease in body weight of at least 5% of total body weight within 6-12 months without changes in diet or exercise habits, and does not include weight loss due to a known medical condition or the effects of treatment.

However, weight loss in a previously healthy individual can be a sign of underlying health problems that require medical attention to determine the exact cause.

"Weight loss caused by changes in living environment or excessive stress is usually not serious and can improve in a short time. However, weight loss can be a sign of several medical conditions that require immediate medical attention."

Accordingly, unusual weight loss can be a warning symptom of diseases such as cancer (accounting for 15-37%), digestive disorders (10-20%), and mental disorders (10-23%). In addition, about 25% of weight loss cases have no clear cause," Dr. Hoa stated.

According to this expert, Several typical medical conditions can be the main causes of rapid and unusual weight loss, such as: cancer, gastrointestinal diseases, mental disorders, infections, cardiovascular diseases, etc.

These include malignant diseases such as stomach cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, duodenal cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma, kidney cancer, and prostate cancer. Benign digestive diseases such as peptic ulcers, celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease are also included. Mental disorders, especially depression and eating disorders, as well as endocrine diseases such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and adrenal insufficiency, are also included.

In addition, some types Medications and herbal products can cause unusual weight loss, similar to substance abuse such as alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, opioids, and tobacco. Withdrawal syndrome, including withdrawal from prolonged cannabis use or high doses of psychotropic drugs, can also occur.

Side effects of prescription medications such as antiviral drugs, chemotherapy for cancer treatment, anti-epileptic drugs for diabetes, thyroid medications, NSAIDs, etc.

Herbal or over-the-counter medications such as 5-hydroxytryptophan, aloe vera, caffeine, cascara, chitosan, chromium, dandelion, ephedra, garcinia, glucomannan, guarana, guargum, herbal diuretics, nicotine...

"The treatment for weight loss symptoms will depend on the cause and the individual patient's health condition. Treatments aim to improve symptoms, control complications, and address the underlying causes. In some cases, patients may need multiple consultations to determine the cause," Dr. Hoa explained.

WILLOW

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/sut-can-dot-ngot-canh-bao-benh-gi-20250721093426044.htm