Having Trouble Gaining Weight? Medical Conditions that Cause Excessive Weight Loss

Most people fluctuate in their weight. However, if you're experiencing severe and unintentional weight loss, it's probably due to some type of medical condition. For this reason, it's important to find out the source of it.

Below are three reasons why a person can have a sudden drop in weight. These conditions are serious and can attack other parts of the body. For this reason, you should seek the advice of a medical practitioner if you believe you are suffering from one of them.

1) Diabetes Mellitus. This disorder is caused by insufficient production of the hormone insulin. Insulin is needed by the body to get energy from sugar and carbohydrate foods. You can tell if you are suffering from diabetes if you have unusually frequent or abundant urination, increased thirst, unexplained tiredness, genital itching and absence of periods.

Treatment: You'll need to seek the help of a physician who'll take blood tests. After an analysis of it, you'll be given some form of insulin. Thankfully, unlike in years past, it can be taken in the form of a pill. If it's severe, you'll be asked to take it in the form of an injection. You'll also be told to follow a special diet which will require you to count carbohydrates.

2) Thyrotoxicosis. This is an uncommon disorder that affects mainly women. It is characterized by an overactive thyroid gland. The symptoms of this condition are excessive sweating, weakness or trembling, unexplained tiredness and bulging eyes.

Treatment: You'll need to seek the help of a physician who'll analyze your blood in order to confirm you have this disorder. Afterwards, you'll be prescribed pills or be given injections of radioactive iodine. In some severe cases, surgery will be done to remove part of the thyroid gland.

3) A Chronic Lung Infection. Chronic lung infections like brucellosis can cause unexplained weight loss. You'll know if you're suffering from one if you profusely sweat at night, have a temperature, feel generally unwell, have a persistent cough and have blood in your phlegm.