Unexplained Weight Loss

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Introduction

Unintentional weight loss refers to a noticeable decrease in body weight with no intentional attempt at decreasing it. It may be happening despite the lack of change in eating habits and level of activity. It is considered significant when more than five per cent of body weight, or about four and a half kilograms, is lost over a period of six to twelve months, especially in people older than sixty-five years. Weight can normally vary slightly, but a consistent loss beyond this amount may indicate a medical problem. Such weight loss can be an early sign of many illnesses. Some conditions, including diabetes or Addison’s disease, may develop quickly, while others, such as certain cancers, can progress more slowly. In this blog, we will explore what is the reason for weight loss, its Ayurveda perspective and treatment.

What are the Possible Causes of Unexplained Weight Loss?

You might wonder- why do I keep losing weight for no reason? A range of medical issues can cause weight loss without any deliberate effort. Some illnesses reduce appetite, others interfere with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, and some increase the rate at which energy is burned. Common causes of unexplained weight loss include:

Imbalanced diet: Not eating enough in accordance with daily physical activity might lead to weight loss.
Hyperthyroidism: When the thyroid is overactive, it will raise the metabolism, and calories can be burned very quickly, hence a person will experience rapid weight loss.
Chronic Inflammation: Pancreatitis, IBD, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, often results in weight loss due to decreased appetite, malabsorption, pain from complications and consuming a restricted diet.
Cancer: Many types of cancer decrease appetite or normal metabolism, which leads to a steady loss of body weight.
Diabetes: When the body cannot use glucose efficiently, it turns to fat and muscle for energy. This can occur with undiagnosed diabetes or poorly controlled blood sugar.
Parasitic infections: Ongoing diarrhoea and vomiting from parasites can deplete nutrients and cause weight loss.
Psychological factors: Depression or anxiety sometimes dulls appetite, so daily calorie intake falls. Conditions such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa may first appear as unexplained weight reduction. People with advanced dementia might forget to eat, struggle to swallow, or lose interest in food, all of which can be the reason behind weight loss.
Dental and oral problems: Tooth pain, gum disease, or temporomandibular joint disorders can make chewing difficult and reduce food intake.
Heart failure: In later stages, the condition often causes a gradual loss of body mass.
Substance use: Alcohol or drug misuse can suppress appetite, trigger nausea and vomiting, and damage the liver, resulting in weight loss.
Medications: Certain prescription drugs alter taste or smell, cause dry mouth or nausea, or simply reduce appetite, and some list weight loss as a side effect.
Peptic ulcers: Ongoing nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite may bring unwanted weight changes.
Addison’s disease: Low cortisol and aldosterone slow metabolism and can cause diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and a poor appetite.
Celiac disease: When the intestine cannot absorb nutrients properly, weight loss may occur, often accompanied by diarrhoea or vomiting.
Parkinson’s disease: Loss of smell, depression, nausea, difficulty swallowing, or muscle-control problems can make eating enough a challenge.
AIDS (advanced stage): Metabolic changes and persistent diarrhoea often bring rapid weight loss.

What are the symptoms of Unexplained Weight Loss?

Unintentional weight loss brings not only a decrease in your weight but also other visible signs:

Clothes feel looser, even though you haven’t changed your typical lifestyle.
Loss of normal appetite or feeling full after just a few bites.
Feeling weak and tired even though you get enough rest, making it difficult to perform daily chores.
Noticeable loss of muscle.
Problems with the digestive system, such as diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting.
Sudden changes in mood, such as feeling unhappy or anxious or becoming irritated.

Adults and Older Children:

Pressure or fullness in the ear
Pain which can be sharp, dull, or throbbing
Muffled or lower hearing
Dizziness or a balance problem in some cases
Drainage from the ear – clear, pus, or slightly bloody
Fever, especially infections

Infants and Toddlers:

Crying more than usual
Difficulty sleeping and feeding
Fever
Tugging or pulling the ear

Other points to remember:

Ear infections are very common in children because their Eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal.
The symptoms in infants may be less obvious. The pulling of the ear and irritability may be the first signs that an ear infection is present.
Seek medical attention for severe pain, fever or ear drainage that persists.

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Medical Care

Diagnosis

When someone loses weight without trying, a healthcare provider usually begins with a careful review of symptoms, personal history, and family background. The next step is to order tests that match what they find. For example, if stomach pain suggests a peptic ulcer, the doctor may recommend an upper endoscopy to look directly at the stomach and upper intestine. Other tests that are commonly used include:

Blood tests to check for conditions such as diabetes, thyroid or adrenal disorders, infections, or nutrient deficiencies.
Cancer screening; for instance, a colonoscopy or other targeted imaging; if there is a need to rule out malignancy.
Imaging studies, like MRI or CT scans to provide detailed pictures of organs such as the brain, lungs, or abdomen and detect hidden problems.
Urinalysis to assess kidney and bladder health and look for signs of infection or metabolic changes.
Test for infections such as tuberculosis
Psychological assessment to exclude depression, anxiety/eating disorders.

Such assessments assist clinicians in having a picture of the underlying reason behind weight loss and enable them to select the most effective and safest treatment strategy.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Unexplained Weight Loss

Karshya (emaciation) is one of the Kuposhana Janya Vyadhi (diseases due to malnutrition), which falls under Apatarpana Vyadhi (conditions due to undernourishment). Atikrusha (excessively thin person) is one of the Astanindita Purusha (eight kinds of undesirable body constitution). Due to Vata-increasing food and lifestyle, Chinta (stress), Shoka (grief), Vegadharana (suppression of natural urges), and Alpahara (less intake of food), the quantity of Rasadhatu (post-digestive nourishing fluid) is reduced. Thus, the rest of the Dhatus also don’t get proper nourishment, which leads to Karshya. Karshya Lakshanas or symptoms include Shuska Sphik-Greeva-Udara (wasting of buttocks, neck and abdomen), Dhamanijala Santata (visible veins), Twaka Shosha (dry skin), and Asthi Shosha (loss of bone tissue). The Ayurveda treatment for Karshya is Laghu Santarpana Chikitsa (light yet nourishing therapies, food and lifestyle) that helps in the nourishment of Rasadi Dhatus while restoring agni or digestive fire. For stress-related weight loss, stress management techniques are employed. In case the weight loss is due to other causes, such as diabetes, thyroid imbalances, etc, the treatment is aimed at controlling the underlying condition.

Home remedies for Unexplained Weight Loss

Choose balanced meals. Focus on nutrient-dense foods such as lean protein sources, nuts, ghee, milk, whole grains, and plenty of fibre-rich fruits and vegetables.
Eat more often. Gradually work up to five or six small meals spread throughout the day.
Pick calorie- and nutrient-rich options you enjoy. Foods you like and that are high in both calories and nutrients can help you reach your goals. A healthcare provider or registered dietitian can help you determine how many calories you need per day and per meal.
Skip low-nutrient beverages like diet sodas. Avoid drinking large amounts right before or during meals so you don’t feel too full, but stay well hydrated between meals.
Regular exercise, especially strength training, can build muscle mass and may also help increase your appetite.

When to Seek the Doctors

If the number on the scale keeps dropping and you haven’t changed your eating or activity habits, it’s a good idea to get checked out. A general rule of thumb: see your healthcare provider if you’ve lost more than about five per cent of your usual body weight in six to twelve months without trying. Go sooner if the weight loss comes with other concerns like tiredness, persistent stomach trouble, fevers, or any new pain. It’s always better to catch a potential problem early than to wait and wonder.

Conclusion

Unexpected weight loss can feel unsettling, and it often signals that something in the body needs attention. You don’t have to figure it out on your own. Start with a simple conversation with your doctor. With the right tests and guidance, you can uncover the reason and take steps toward feeling strong and healthy again.

FAQs

What is the most common cause of unexplained weight loss?

Chronic health issues that affect appetite or metabolism—like cancer, overactive thyroid, or uncontrolled diabetes—are among the leading causes.

What are the first signs that you’re losing weight unintentionally?

Early clues include clothes fitting more loosely, a drop in energy, loss of appetite, or feeling weaker even if your routine hasn’t changed.

Can Ayurveda help manage unexplained weight loss?

Yes. Ayurveda treatment focuses on gentle nourishment (Laghu Santarpana), balancing digestion, and stress management while also addressing the root medical cause.

Can stress lead to weight loss even if I’m eating normally?

It can. Prolonged stress alters hormones, which may reduce appetite and increase calorie burn, resulting in weight loss.

What foods help regain weight naturally according to Ayurveda?

Eating warm, freshly prepared meals with ghee, whole grains, milk, soaked nuts, dates, and proteins, which are easy to diges,t will both support healthy weight gain and Rasadhatu.

What are the risks of losing weight too quickly?

Rapid loss can weaken immunity, reduce muscle mass, disturb hormone balance, and mask serious underlying conditions that need prompt medical care.

REFERENCES

Chabanur, S. M., & Dipankar, D. (2025). Ayurvedic Management of Karshya (Under Nutrition) – A Case Report. Journal of Neonatal Surgery, 14(25S), 530–535. Retrieved from: https://www.jneonatalsurg.com/index.php/jns/article/view/6160

Joffe, L., & Ladas, E. J. (2020). Nutrition during childhood cancer treatment: Current understanding and a path for future research. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 4(6), 465–475. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(19)30407-9

Alibhai, S. M., Greenwood, C., & Payette, H. (2005). An approach to the management of unintentional weight loss in elderly people. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 172(6), 773–780. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.1031527

Rabinovitz, M., Pitlik, S. D., Leifer, M., Garty, M., & Rosenfeld, J. B. (1986). Unintentional weight loss: A retrospective analysis of 154 cases. Archives of Internal Medicine, 146(1), 186–187. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.146.1.186

De Stefani, F. D., Pietraroia, P. S., Morita, M., & Baena, C. P. (2018). Observational evidence for unintentional weight loss in all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular events: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-33563-z

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