For most of us, losing weight is a good thing – but if you’re suddenly losing weight for no apparent reason, it’s a good idea to see a doctor to have it checked. If you haven’t been sick, haven’t changed your diet, and haven’t been getting more exercise than usual, the weight loss may signify an underlying health condition.
Let’s talk about some of the signs that indicate you should seek an evaluation by an internal medicine specialist for unintentional weight loss, and where you can go for an efficient assessment and diagnosis of the reason behind it.
You Have Lost More than 5% of Your Weight
To determine what 5% translates to insofar as pounds, take your previous normal weight (before you started losing weight), move the decimal point over to the left one notch (e.g., if you weighed 180 pounds, the figure is 18), and cut that figure in half. In this example, if you have lost 9 pounds or more without meaning to or changing anything, it warrants a doctor’s evaluation.
For older adults with one or more underlying health conditions, a smaller amount of weight loss can also be a cause for concern. It is always better to see a doctor and to have the issue turn out to be nothing, than to not see a doctor and for an underlying health condition to be becoming worse unknowingly.
You Are Tired Frequently
If you notice you’re frequently fatigued along with the weight loss, it might mean that you’re not getting all the nutrition you need for your body to have energy. The fatigue may indicate clinical depression, a digestive disorder, cancer, or another condition that should be treated by your physician.
You Have Digestive Issues Along with the Weight Loss
If you have also been experiencing bloating, gas, nausea, vomiting, cramping, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation, then your weight loss may be due to a problem in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. If this is indeed the case, the sooner you have it evaluated and addressed, the more treatable the condition is likely to be.
You Have a Family History of or Are at Risk for Diabetes
Diabetes tends to cause weight loss, weight gain, and fatigue. You might also experience irritability and frequent infections. Since uncontrolled diabetes can lead to health complications such as heart disease, kidney problems, vision loss, and nerve damage, any of these symptoms will warrant a visit to a skilled physician.
Weight Loss Evaluation and Treatment in Irmo, SC
If you’re experiencing unintentional weight loss, contact the experienced medical team here at SC Internal Medicine Associates & Rehabilitation. Our skilled physicians can give you an efficient and thorough evaluation and determine the cause of your medical issue, and we can then provide treatment that will help you to stabilize your weight and keep you healthy and strong.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (803) 749-1111 or by filling out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to being your healthcare partner!
