Everyone would like to have a good figure and get rid of excess pounds. This statement applies to both women and the stronger sex. Good results in losing weight can be achieved through good nutrition and sports training. But sometimes people are faced with a situation where body weight decreases without the influence of external circumstances. Later in the article we will talk about the causes of sudden weight loss in men and what should be done when such a problem occurs.
Is it dangerous?
Regardless of what factors provoked a rapid decrease in body weight, this phenomenon can lead to serious ailments. In this case, symptoms characteristic of any pathology are observed. In addition, the causes of severe weight loss in men lead to general malaise.
What weight loss is considered rapid? The answer to this question depends on the individual characteristics of the person. If a man weighs 150 kg, the loss of ten kilograms in 30 days is not a pathology. Such weight loss will benefit. However, in other cases, this situation is dangerous. For example, for a man who weighs 60 kilograms.
Experts say that with a loss of 10 kg in 30 days, a person should seek medical help. Especially if there is a deterioration in the general condition. A 20% reduction in body weight, compared to baseline, threatens the health and life of the individual. Therefore, with significant weight loss in men, it is important to visit a doctor as soon as possible.
Symptoms of malaise
Significant weight loss in a short period of time does not pass without a trace. A person has a deterioration in the general condition, which is expressed in the following symptoms:
- Sensation of overwork, decreased ability to work.
- Dehydration.
- A significant decrease in the volume of subcutaneous tissue.
- Anemia and deficiency of essential substances.
- Deterioration of the appearance of the skin (earthy or pale shade, sagging, the appearance of wrinkles).
- Dryness and hair loss, fragility of the nail plates.
- Inflammation of the oral mucosa.
- The delay of the chair.
- Pathology of the urinary system.
- Disorders of sexual function.
- Anxiety.
- The manifestation of aggression.
- Depressed emotional state.
Common Weight Loss Factors
What are the most common causes of sudden weight loss in men? Among them are circumstances related to an improper lifestyle, as well as health problems. The main factors contributing to a decrease in body weight should be listed:
- Presence of addictions, abuse of junk food, emotional overstrain. An unbalanced diet, the presence in it of a large number of salty, fried foods, spices and alcohol-containing drinks leads to disorders of the functions of the digestive tract.
- The presence of parasites in the body. There is a widespread belief that helminthic infestations are characteristic only of minors. However, weight loss in men due to helminthiasis is a fairly common occurrence. Parasites penetrate the human body due to non-compliance with hygiene standards, the use of meat or fish dishes that have not undergone proper heat treatment. This is especially true for lovers of low-roasted meat, as well as sushi and other Japanese dishes.
- The presence of malignant neoplasms. A significant decrease in body weight, a feeling of weakness, loss of appetite and a decrease in the ability to work - all these signs can indicate the development of a cancerous tumor.
- Pathology of the digestive system. These include gastrointestinal ulcers, chronic inflammatory processes in the stomach, pancreatitis, diseases of the liver and bile ducts. These ailments contribute to loss of appetite and poor absorption of nutrients.
- Tuberculosis of the respiratory system (lungs, trachea). Now, for the prevention of pathology, regular examinations of children and adults are carried out. If a person is diagnosed with this disease, he is sent to a dispensary, where long-term therapy is carried out. Subject to early diagnosis, tuberculosis is treatable.
- Diabetes. This ailment is associated with a lack of insulin.
- Violations of the functions of the vital organs, which lead to an acceleration of metabolism.
- Pathologies transmitted through intimate contact. One of the most common and dangerous diseases is AIDS.
- Mental disorders, eating disorders.
- Living or working in an area with excess radiation.
Other adverse effects
Among the causes of sudden weight loss in men, experts name factors associated with improper nutrition.
As such circumstances, you can list:
- Diets, including therapeutic. A significant decrease in body weight in this case can be associated with individual characteristics of the body.
- The use of low-quality foods (canned food, noodles and instant mashed potatoes).
- Violation of diet due to busy schedules.
- A sharp transition to a vegetarian or raw food diet.
- Observance of religious fasts for a long time.
Drug use
Treatment with certain drugs also often leads to significant weight loss in men.
The reasons why body weight is rapidly decreasing often lie in the loss of appetite when using the following means:
- Hormones that eliminate thyroid dysfunctions.
- Laxative medicines.
- Means for the treatment of cancer pathologies.
- Drugs that stimulate the activity of the brain.
Please note that if the doctor prescribes any remedy, you should strictly adhere to the instructions for it. The fact is that in some cases, the weight in men taking such medications decreases sharply, precisely because of the wrong dosage or too long treatment period.
Bad habits
The negative effects of harmful substances contained in alcohol-containing products and tobacco are factors that contribute to weight loss. Nicotine worsens the absorption of essential substances, provokes loss of appetite. Drinks containing ethanol cause poisoning, disrupt the activity of the digestive tract and metabolism. Drug use is also the cause of dramatic weight loss in men. This addiction provokes a decrease in the body's resistance, loss of appetite and muscular atrophy.
Emotional stress
It is believed that the stronger sex is much easier to cope with traumatic events in life than women. However, the male body is also affected by various mental shocks. And emotional overstrain is usually accompanied by loss of appetite. The human body in this case is forced to make up for the deficiency of nutrients from its own reserves (adipose tissue and muscles).
A prolonged state of stress can provoke depression. You can recognize this ailment if you have the following symptoms:
- discomfort in the chest area;
- headaches;
- nervousness
- sleep disorders
- increase in blood pressure;
- decreased ability to work, memory impairment;
- loss of sex drive;
- apathy and depression;
- digestive disorders.
If the cause of sudden weight loss in a man is emotional overstrain, you should consult a specialist. Remedies with a calming effect and drugs for depression help to cope with the problem.
Hormone imbalance
This disorder is characteristic of both women and men. It can be suspected in the presence of the following symptoms:
- Decreased sexual desire.
- Disorder of sexual function.
- Inability to conceive.
- Nervousness and increased drowsiness.
- Feeling overwhelmed.
- Decreased ability to intellectual activity.
Disorders of the functions of the VZHV are considered factors provoking severe weight loss. In men, the causes of this are often pathologies of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands.
So, hyperthyroidism (a condition that is caused by increased production of thyroxine) is accompanied by weight loss against the background of normal appetite, accelerated heart rate, profuse outflow of sweat, trembling limbs, and insomnia. Another reason for weight loss is a violation of the adrenal glands. Symptoms include muscle weakness, decreased blood pressure, cravings for salty foods, dark skin tones, and abdominal discomfort.
Diabetes
Sometimes with an increased need for food, rapid weight loss occurs. The reason for men, as well as for women, may be a lack of insulin. It's about diabetes.
This condition is accompanied by such signs:
- dry mouth and intense thirst;
- nervousness
- loss of consciousness;
- smell of acetone from the oral cavity.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
It also causes rapid weight loss. The reasons for men can be various disorders of the digestive system.
Most often, weight loss occurs with inflammation of the pancreas, which is accompanied by vomiting, cramping in the abdominal cavity, profuse outflow of sweat and a gray tint of the skin.
Gastritis also refers to gastrointestinal ailments. It is characterized by discomfort in the upper abdomen, nausea, the formation of plaque on the surface of the tongue, heartburn. Disruptions in bowel activity are accompanied by diarrhea, flatulence and stool retention.
Weight loss in men after ingestion of parasites is characterized by loss of appetite, a feeling of weakness, vomiting, fever, itching in the anus, and loss of hair.
Pathology of the respiratory system
Tuberculosis is one of the most dangerous infections. It is difficult to treat. Among the causes of sudden weight loss in men, one of the most common is this disease.
People with drug and alcohol addiction, prisoners, and people with nutritional deficiencies are most affected by tuberculosis.
The infection is manifested by severe discomfort in the chest area, coughing attacks with sputum and blood particles, profuse sweating, fever, and weakness.
Weight loss can also be caused by an inflammatory process in the lungs - pneumonia. Unlike tuberculosis, this pathology has not a chronic, but an acute course.
Malignant neoplasms
Cancers are also often an explanation of why weight loss in men. This ailment is accompanied not only by a significant decrease in body weight, but also by other signs. Symptoms depend on the organ in which the neoplasm formed.
Patients suffer from various manifestations. It can be:
- Bouts of coughing.
- Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Loss of appetite.
- Hoarseness of voice.
- Long healing of skin wounds.
- The appearance of seals.
All patients with oncological pathologies face brittleness, brittle hair and nail plates, and discoloration of the face.
Unfortunately, men often put off a visit to the doctor. When they go to the hospital, doctors can no longer do anything.
Mental problems
One of the factors contributing to weight loss is eating disorder (anorexia). It occurs, as a rule, in young men and young men. The reason for the development of this ailment in representatives of the stronger sex is often mental illness (depression, schizophrenic disorder).
Anorexia is a condition in which a person does not receive enough nutrients as a result of refusing food.
Sometimes men resort to diets because of the profession of fashion model, artist. Often the reason is the statements of peers about the fullness of the youth. Anorexia is dangerous because it provokes malfunctions in the activity of organs and systems of the body, which leads to death.
Another serious mental disorder is senile dementia. It most often occurs after 65 years. But sometimes the disease develops in middle-aged people. It often causes cause weight loss in men over 40. The fact is that patients with senile dementia are not able to serve themselves, including eating on time. Such people should be constantly supervised by relatives or staff of medical facilities.
How to deal with the problem?
Sharp weight loss is a symptom that requires a doctor. After examinations, you can determine the cause of the loss of kilograms.
For recovery, the right diet is of great importance. You should eat little by little, but often. Products should be light, but contain substances necessary for the body. The daily menu should include milk dishes, vegetables, fruits, fish and meat dishes. According to the doctor’s prescription, vitamin supplements, drugs to improve digestion, drugs with a calming effect, and drugs that stimulate appetite should be taken. In the event of serious exhaustion, droppers and injections are used in a hospital setting.