Doctors Say Your Unexplained Weight Loss Might Be Hinting at a Larger Health Problem
Conditions like hyperthyroidism or rheumatoid arthritis could be at play. If you’ve ever noticed a sudden drop in weight after an illness, you’ve experienced unintentional weight loss fluctuation. But if you can’t point to something that may have caused the change on the scale, losing weight without trying or unexplained weight loss can be very scary. Unintentional weight loss refers to a reduction in body weight that occurs without conscious effort or intention, says Carlo Manzana, M.D., a family medicine physician with PlushCare. “From a medical standpoint, this is typically characterized by a significant and rapid decrease in weight, usually around 5% of total body weight within a span of six to 12 months.” Meet the Experts: Lydia C. Alexander, M.D., chief medical officer at Enara Health and president-elect of the Obesity Medicine Association; Mir Ali, M.D., bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center; Linda Anegawa, M.D., F.A.C.P., a double board-certified physician in internal medicine and obesity medicine and former medical director at PlushCare; and others. It is normal for weight to fluctuate, typically between five to 10 lbs, and can be due to how much you’re eating, drinking, and moving in a given time period, explains Mir Ali, M.D., bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center. But any more than that, and you haven’t changed your diet, it could be a sign of something bigger, he adds. In fact, unexplained weight loss could be an early sign of a serious health condition, says Kerry Hildreth, M.D., an assistant professor of geriatric medicine at the University of Colorado. So if you’re experiencing unexplained weight loss, it’s best to see a doctor. They can then ask questions associated with the symptoms and potentially perform a blood test or imaging test depending on your symptoms, says Linda Anegawa, M.D., F.A.C.P., a double board-certified physician in internal medicine and obesity medicine and former medical director at PlushCare. Here, doctors share the health issues that could explain why you’re losing weight so suddenly. What causes unexplained weight loss?
2022-06-03T17:39:31Z
I Track My Health Data Nonstop — Is This A Problem?
From the moment I wake up, I begin tracking. I track my steps, calories burned, sleep quality, period, and ovulation. I track my runs on Strava and my heart rate, blood oxygen, and performance zones. I sometimes track my food, my protein goals, and how much water I’ve drunk in a day. I source the majority of my health metrics from my Apple Watch but I am saving up for an Oura Ring (round-the-clock insights in jewellery form? Yes, please) and I’m...
2025-04-23T14:29:40Z
Feeling Bloated? These Foods Help, According to Nutrition Experts
Diversify your plate with these nutritious picks and say goodbye to post-dinner discomfort. When your belly is distended and hard—whether it’s that time of the month or you overindulged at dinner—the last thing you want to do is eat more. But there are, believe it or not, some foods that help ease bloating, according to experts and research. Meet the Experts: Marissa West, ACE-certified personal trainer and nutrition specialist and founder of West Kept Secret, Cindy Kasindorf, certified nutritional health counselor and founder of Remedy Organics, and Melissa Prest, D.C.N., R.D.N., spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “Bloating can be caused by consuming foods that produce more gas than others, contain a high salt content, eating or drinking too quickly, or consuming carbonated drinks,” explains Marissa West, ACE-certified personal trainer and nutrition specialist and founder of West Kept Secret. “It can also be caused by a lactose intolerance, dairy aversion, or another health condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease.” Depending on the cause of your bloat, certain foods can help you get relief by reducing inflammation, activating the release of digestive enzymes, or coaxing the bloat through your digestive tract with water and fiber. Check out the below options and keep them at the ready for the next time discomfort strikes.
2023-05-01T17:18:52Z
