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Causes of Hirsutism
List of causes of Hirsutism
Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Hirsutism) that could possibly cause Hirsutism includes:
- Puberty
- Masculinization
- See also causes of symptom hirsutism
- See also underlying causes of masculinization:
More causes: see full list of causes for Hirsutism
Causes of Hirsutism (Diseases Database):
The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Hirsutism that are listed by the Diseases Database:
- Alpha-L-iduronidase deficiency
- I-cell disease
- 3-beta hydroxylase deficiency
- Adrenal cortex tumours
- Cortisone reductase deficiency
- Cornelia de Lange syndrome
- Cushing's syndrome
- Ethotoin
- Testosterone
- Turner's syndrome
- Danazol
- Miller-Dieker syndrome
- Diazoxide
- Christian syndrome 1
- Galactorrhoea-Hyperprolactinaemia
- Schwartz-Jampel-Aberfeld syndrome
- Hypothyroidism
- C11-Hydroxylase deficiency
- Achard-Thiers syndrome
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Pituitary tumour (growth hormone secreting)
- Phenytoin
- Ovarian cancer
- C21-hydroxylase deficiency
- Gestrinone
- Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome
Causes of Hirsutism: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Hirsutism.
Hirsutism:
Differential Diagnosis
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
-
Drug-induced
–Cyclosporin, steroids, oral contraceptives, Dilantin, some diuretics (acetazolamide, hydrochlorothiazide), Minoxidil, penicillamines -
Syndrome-associated
–Cornelia de Lange syndrome
–Trisomy 18
–Hurler syndrome
–Bloom syndrome
–Seckel syndrome
–Marshall-Smith syndrome
–Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome
–Leprechaunism -
Ovarian
–PCOS
–Gonadal dysgenesis
–Ovarian tumors -
Adrenal
–CAH
–Cushing syndrome
–17α-hydroxylase deficiency
–21-hydroxylase deficiency
–Adrenal tumor -
Other causes
–Idiopathic
–5 α-reductase deficiency
–Hyperprolactinemia
–HAIR-AN syndrome (hirsutism, androgenization, insulin resistance, and acanthosis nigricans)
–Achard-Thiers syndrome: Obesity and facial hirsutism develop by 15–30 years of age; hypertension and obesity occur later
–Porphyria: Congenital erythropoietic porphyria have increased body hair, red urine, photosensitivity with bullae, and red to pink teeth (werewolves of old)
Weight gain, excessive:
Medical causes
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
Acromegaly
Acromegaly causes moderate weight gain. Other findings include coarsened facial features, prognathism, enlarged hands and feet, increased sweating, oily skin, deep voice, back and joint pain, lethargy, sleepiness, and heat intolerance. Occasionally, hirsutism may occur.
Diabetes mellitus
The increased appetite associated with diabetes mellitus may lead to weight gain, although weight loss sometimes occurs instead. Other findings include fatigue, polydipsia, polyuria, nocturia, weakness, polyphagia, and somnolence.
Hypercortisolism
Excessive weight gain, usually over the trunk and the back of the neck (buffalo hump), characteristically occurs in this disorder. Other cushingoid features include slender extremities, moon face, weakness, purple striae, emotional lability, and increased susceptibility to infection. Gynecomastia may occur in men; hirsutism, acne, and menstrual irregularities may occur in women.
Hyperinsulinism
Hyperinsulinism increases appetite, leading to weight gain. Emotional lability, indigestion, weakness, diaphoresis, tachycardia, visual disturbances, and syncope also occur.
Hypogonadism
Weight gain is common in hypogonadism. Prepubertal hypogonadism causes eunuchoid body proportions with relatively sparse facial and body hair and a high-pitched voice. Postpubertal hypogonadism causes loss of libido, impotence, and infertility.
Hypothalamic dysfunction
Conditions such as Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome cause a voracious appetite with subsequent weight gain, along with altered body temperature and sleep rhythms.
Hypothyroidism
With hypothyroidism, weight gain occurs despite anorexia. Related signs and symptoms include fatigue; cold intolerance; constipation; menorrhagia; slowed intellectual and motor activity; dry, pale, cool skin; dry, sparse hair; and thick, brittle nails. Myalgia, hoarseness, hypoactive deep tendon reflexes, bradycardia, and abdominal distention may occur. Eventually, the face assumes a dull expression with periorbital edema.
Nephrotic syndrome
With nephrotic syndrome, weight gain results from edema. In severe cases, anasarca develops — increasing body weight up to 50%. Related effects include abdominal distention, orthostatic hypotension, and lethargy.
Pancreatic islet cell tumor
Pancreatic islet cell tumor causes excessive hunger, which leads to weight gain. Other findings include emotional lability, weakness, malaise, fatigue, restlessness, diaphoresis, palpitations, tachycardia, visual disturbances, and syncope.
Preeclampsia
With preeclampsia, rapid weight gain (exceeding the normal weight gain of pregnancy) may accompany nausea and vomiting, epigastric pain, elevated blood pressure, and visual blurring or double vision.
Sheehan’s syndrome
Most common in women who experience severe obstetric hemorrhage, Sheeehan’s syndrome may cause weight gain.
Other causes
Drugs
Corticosteroids, phenothiazines, and tricyclic antidepressants cause weight gain from fluid retention and increased appetite. Other drugs that can lead to weight gain include hormonal contraceptives, which cause fluid retention; cyproheptadine, which increases appetite; and lithium, which can induce hypothyroidism.
Weight loss, excessive:
Medical causes
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
Adrenal insufficiency
Weight loss occurs with adrenal insufficiency, along with anorexia, weakness, fatigue, irritability, syncope, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea or constipation. Hyperpigmentation may occur at the joints, belt line, palmar creases, lips, gums, tongue, and buccal mucosa.
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a psychogenic disorder, most common in young women, and is characterized by a severe, self-imposed weight loss ranging from 10% to 50% of premorbid weight, which typically was normal or not more than 5 lb (2.3 kg) over ideal weight. Related findings include skeletal muscle atrophy, loss of fatty tissue, hypotension, constipation, dental caries, susceptibility to infection, blotchy or sallow skin, cold intolerance, hairiness on the face and body, dryness or loss of scalp hair, and amenorrhea. The patient usually demonstrates restless activity and vigor and may also have a morbid fear of becoming fat. Self-induced vomiting or use of laxatives or diuretics may lead to dehydration or to metabolic alkalosis or acidosis.
Cancer
Weight loss is often a sign of cancer. Other findings reflect the type, location, and stage of the tumor and can include fatigue, pain, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abnormal bleeding, and a palpable mass.
Crohn’s disease
Weight loss occurs with chronic cramping, abdominal pain, and anorexia. Other signs and symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, fever, tachycardia, abdominal tenderness and guarding, hyperactive bowel sounds, abdominal distention, and pain. Perianal lesions and a palpable mass in the right or left lower quadrant may also be present.
Cryptosporidiosis
Weight loss may occur with cryptosporidiosis, an opportunistic protozoan infection. Other findings include profuse watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, flatulence, anorexia, malaise, fever, nausea, vomiting, and myalgia.
Depression
Weight loss or weight gain may occur with severe depression, along with insomnia or hypersomnia, anorexia, apathy, fatigue, and feelings of worthlessness. Indecisiveness, incoherence, and suicidal thoughts or behavior may also occur.
Diabetes mellitus
Weight loss may occur with diabetes mellitus, despite increased appetite. Other findings include polydipsia, weakness, fatigue, and polyuria with nocturia.
Esophagitis
Painful inflammation of the esophagus leads to temporary avoidance of eating and subsequent weight loss. Intense pain in the mouth and anterior chest occurs, along with hypersalivation, dysphagia, tachypnea, and hematemesis. If a stricture develops, dysphagia and weight loss will recur.
Gastroenteritis
Malabsorption and dehydration cause weight loss in gastroenteritis. The loss may be sudden in acute viral infections or reactions or gradual in parasitic infection. Other findings include poor skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, tachycardia, hypotension, diarrhea, abdominal pain and tenderness, hyperactive bowel sounds, nausea, vomiting, fever, and malaise.
Leukemia
Acute leukemia causes progressive weight loss accompanied by severe prostration; high fever; swollen, bleeding gums; and bleeding tendencies. Dyspnea, tachycardia, palpitations, and abdominal or bone pain may occur. As the disease progresses, neurologic symptoms may eventually develop.
Chronic leukemia, which occurs insidiously in adults, causes progressive weight loss with malaise, fatigue, pallor, enlarged spleen, bleeding tendencies, anemia, skin eruptions, anorexia, and fever.
Lymphoma
Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cause gradual weight loss. Associated findings include fever, fatigue, night sweats, malaise, hepatosplenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy. Scaly rashes and pruritus may develop.
Pulmonary tuberculosis
Pulmonary tuberculosis causes gradual weight loss, along with fatigue, weakness, anorexia, night sweats, and low-grade fever. Other clinical effects include a cough with bloody or mucopurulent sputum, dyspnea, and pleuritic chest pain. Examination may reveal dullness on percussion, crackles after coughing, increased tactile fremitus, and amphoric breath sounds.
Stomatitis
Inflammation of the oral mucosa (usually red, swollen, and ulcerated) in stomatitis causes weight loss due to decreased eating. Associated findings include fever, increased salivation, malaise, mouth pain, anorexia, and swollen, bleeding gums.
Thyrotoxicosis
With thyrotoxicosis, increased metabolism causes weight loss. Other characteristic signs and symptoms include nervousness, heat intolerance, diarrhea, increased appetite, palpitations, tachycardia, diaphoresis, fine tremor, and possibly an enlarged thyroid and exophthalmos. A ventricular or atrial gallop may be heard.
Other causes
Drugs
Amphetamines and inappropriate dosage of thyroid preparations commonly lead to weight loss. Laxative abuse may cause a malabsorptive state that leads to weight loss. Chemotherapeutic agents cause stomatitis or nausea and vomiting, which, when severe, causes weight loss.
Hirsutism:
Causes
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Idiopathic hirsutism probably stems from a hereditary trait because the patient usually has a family history of the disorder. Causes of secondary hirsutism include endocrine abnormalities related to pituitary dysfunction (acromegaly or precocious puberty), adrenal dysfunction (Cushing’s disease, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, or Cushing’s syndrome), or ovarian lesions (such as polycystic ovary syndrome or ovarian neoplasm); prolactinoma; and iatrogenic factors (such as the use of minoxidil, androgenic steroids, testosterone, diazoxide, glucocorticoids, and hormonal contraceptives). Other kinds of hirsutism have been reported. (See Hypertrichosis.)
Hirsutism:
Medical causes
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Acromegaly
About 15% of patients with this chronic, progressive disorder display hirsutism. Acromegaly also causes enlarged hands and feet, coarsened facial features, prognathism, increased diaphoresis and need for sleep, oily skin, fatigue, weight gain, heat intolerance, and lethargy.
Adrenocortical carcinoma
This disorder produces rapidly progressive hirsutism along with truncal obesity, buffalo hump, moon face, oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, muscle wasting, and thin skin with purple striae. The patient also exhibits muscle weakness, excessive diaphoresis, poor wound healing, weakness, fatigue, hypertension, hyperpigmentation, and personality changes.
Androgen overproduction by ovaries
The most common cause of hirsutism, this condition is associated with anovulation that progresses slowly over several years.
Cushing’s syndrome (hypercortisolism)
This disorder commonly causes increased hair growth on the face, abdomen, breasts, chest, or upper thighs. Other findings include truncal obesity, buffalo hump, moon face, thin skin with purple striae, ecchymosis, petechiae, muscle wasting and weakness, poor wound healing, hypertension, weakness, fatigue, excessive diaphoresis, hyperpigmentation, menstrual irregularities, and personality changes.
Hyperprolactinemia
This disorder produces hirsutism, hypogonadism, galactorrhea, amenorrhea, and acne.
Idiopathic hirsutism
In patients with normal-sized ovaries, normal menses, and no evidence of adrenal hyperplasia or adrenal or ovarian tumors, excess hair appears at puberty and increases into early adulthood. It’s accompanied by acne, obesity, infrequent menses or anovulation, and thick, oily skin. Idiopathic hirsutism with regular ovulation and no menstrual abnormalities may be hereditary or related to certain ethnic groups who are hypersensitive to androgens.
Ovarian tumor
An ovarian tumor may produce no symptoms, or it can cause rapidly progressing hirsutism (only if the tumor produces androgens) as well as amenorrhea and rapidly developing virilization.
Polycystic ovary disease
Ovarian cysts, particularly chronic ones, can cause hirsutism. This hirsutism usually occurs after the onset of menstrual irregularities, which may begin at puberty. The patient may also be obese and have amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, menometrorrhagia, infertility, insulin resistance and diabetes, and acne.
Other causes
Drugs
Hirsutism can result from drugs containing androgens or progestins or from aminoglutethimide, glucocorticoids, metoclopramide, cyclosporine, and minoxidil.
Alopecia [Hair loss]:
Medical causes
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is usually marked by well-circumscribed patches of nonscarring hair loss on the scalp without skin changes. Occasionally, the patches also appear on the beard, axillae, pubic area, arms, legs, or the entire body (alopecia universalis). “Exclamation point” hairs—loose hairs with rough, brushlike tips on narrow, less-pigmented shafts—typically border expanding patches of alopecia. Although this disorder is recurrent, hair growth usually returns after several months. In about 20% of patients, alopecia areata also causes horizontal or vertical nail pitting.
Arsenic poisoning
Most common in chronic poisoning, alopecia is diffuse and mainly affects the scalp. Related signs and symptoms include muscle weakness and wasting, areflexia, partial or total vision loss, and bronze skin.
Arterial insufficiency
Patchy alopecia occurs in arterial insufficiency, typically on the lower extremities, and is accompanied by thin, shiny, atrophic skin and thickened nails. The skin turns pale when the patient’s legs are elevated and dusky when they’re dependent. Associated findings include weak or absent peripheral pulses, cool extremities, paresthesia, leg ulcers, and intermittent claudication.
Burns
Full-thickness or third-degree burns completely destroy the dermis and epidermis, leaving translucent, charred, or ulcerated skin. Scarring or keloid formation associated with these burns causes permanent alopecia.
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
More common in older patients, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma may be associated with alopecia mucinosa in its first, or premycotic, stage. Scattered papules or plaques may occur on clothed areas, such as breasts and buttocks, or a zebralike pattern of scaly erythema may form on the trunk. Alopecia may persist through the plaque and tumor stages.
Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp
Resulting from skin infection, dissecting cellulitis of the scalp is characterized by small nodules that eventually rupture and drain. Keloid formation during healing causes permanent alopecia.
Exfoliative dermatitis
Exfoliative dermatitis is a transient disorder in which loss of scalp and body hair is preceded by several weeks of generalized scaling and erythema. Nail loss commonly occurs along with pruritus, malaise, fever, weight loss, lymphadenopathy, and gynecomastia.
Fungal infections
Tinea capitis (scalp ringworm), the most common fungal infection, produces irregular balding areas, scaling, and erythematous lesions. As these lesions enlarge, their centers heal, causing the classic ring-shaped appearance. Surrounding the balding areas are broken scalp hairs. When they break off at the scalp surface, hairs resemble black dots. Other findings include pruritus and thick, whitish nails.
Hodgkin’s disease
Permanent alopecia may occur if the lymphoma infiltrates the scalp. It’s accompanied by edema, pruritus, and hyperpigmentation. Associated signs vary with the degree and location of lymphadenopathy.
Hypopituitarism
In adults, hypopituitarism varies greatly, depending on its severity and the number of deficient hormones. Gonadotropin deficiency in the female causes sparse or absent pubic and axillary hair accompanied by infertility, amenorrhea, and breast atrophy. A similar deficiency in the male decreases facial and body hair and causes infertility, decreased libido, impotence, poor muscle development, and undersized testes, penis, and prostate gland. A human growth hormone deficiency at an early age may cause short stature. Deficiency of thyroid-stimulating hormone produces signs of hypothyroidism; deficiency of corticotropin produces signs of adrenocortical insufficiency.
Hypothyroidism
In hypothyroidism, the hair on the face, scalp, and genitalia thins and becomes dull, coarse, and brittle. Most characteristic, though, is loss of the outer third of the eyebrows. Typically, alopecia is preceded by fatigue, constipation, cold intolerance, and weight gain. Other signs and symptoms include dry, flaky, inelastic skin; puffy face, hands, and feet; hoarseness; thick, brittle nails; slow mental function; bradycardia; menorrhagia; and myalgia.
Lichen planus
Occasionally, lichen planus disorder produces patchy hair loss on the scalp with skin inflammation. Angular, flat, purple papules typically develop on the lower back, genitalia, arms, and lower legs. Related findings include pruritus and nail changes, ranging from grooves to nail loss. Scarring alopecia may develop with scalp skin atrophy.
Lupus erythematosus
Hair loss is a chief complaint in patients with either discoid or systemic lupus. Hair tends to become brittle and may fall out in patches; short, broken hairs (known as lupus hairs) commonly appear above the forehead. Both types of lupus are characterized by raised, red, scaling plaques with follicular plugging, telangiectasia, and central atrophy. Facial plaques typically assume a distinctive butterfly pattern.
In systemic lupus, however, the rash may vary in severity from malar erythema to discoid lesions. Unlike discoid lupus, systemic lupus affects multiple body systems. It may produce photosensitivity, weight loss, fatigue, lymphadenopathy, arthritis, emotional lability, and other signs and symptoms.
Myotonic dystrophy
Premature baldness characterizes the adult form of this muscular dystrophy. However, myotonia—the inability to normally relax a muscle after its contraction—is its primary sign. Associated signs include muscle wasting and cataracts.
Protein deficiency
Protein deficiency produces brittle, fine, dry, and thinning hair and, occasionally, changes in its pigment. Characteristic muscle wasting may be accompanied by edema, hepatomegaly, apathy, irritability, anorexia, diarrhea, and dry, flaky skin.
Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis may produce scarring alopecia if it infiltrates the scalp. Accompanied by various lesions on the face and the oral and nasal mucosa, it may also produce fever, weight loss, fatigue, lymphadenopathy, substernal pain, cough, shortness of breath, visual muscle weakness, arthralgia, myalgia, and cranial nerve palsies.
Scleroderma (progressive systemic sclerosis)
A late sign in scleroderma, permanent alopecia is accompanied by thickening and tightening of the skin, especially on the arms and hands. The skin appears taut and shiny and loses its pigment. Other findings include dysphagia, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, cough, dyspnea, and signs of renal failure.
Seborrheic dermatitis
Erupting in areas with many sebaceous glands and in skin folds, seborrheic dermatitis may produce hair loss on the scalp. Alopecia begins at the vertex and frontal areas and may spread to other scalp areas. The patient’s skin is reddened and dry with branlike scales that flake off easily. Pruritus is common.
Skin metastasis
Occasionally, cancer from an internal site, such as the lung, metastasizes to the skin, causing scarring alopecia that may develop slowly along with scalp induration and atrophy. Related findings include weight loss, fever, altered bowel habits, abdominal pain, and lymphadenopathy.
Syphilis, secondary
This sexually transmitted disease produces temporary, patchy hair loss that gives the scalp and beard a “moth-eaten” appearance. It also produces loss of eyelashes and eyebrows and a pruritic rash. Associated signs and symptoms include slight fever, weight loss, sore throat, malaise, anorexia, lymphadenopathy, nausea, vomiting, headache, a maculopapular rash, and condyloma latum.
Thyrotoxicosis
Diffuse hair loss, possibly accentuated at the temples, occursin this disorder. Hair becomes fine, soft, and friable. The skin becomes uniformly flushed and thickened, marked by red, raised, pruritic patches. Characteristically, this disorder produces fine tremors, nervousness, an enlarged thyroid, sweating, heat intolerance, amenorrhea, palpitations, weight loss despite increased appetite, diarrhea, and possibly exophthalmos.
Other causes
Drugs
Chemotherapeutic agents—such as bleomycin, cyclophosphamide, dactinomycin, daunorubicin, doxorubicin, fluorouracil, and methotrexate—may cause patchy, reversible alopecia a few weeks after administration. Hair loss is usually limited to the scalp, but with long-term chemotherapy, it may also affect the axillae, arms, legs, face, and pubic area. New hair—which may differ in thickness, texture, and color from the patient’s original hair—may begin to grow after the drug is discontinued or between successive treatments.
Other common drugs may cause diffuse hair loss on the scalp a few weeks after administration. These include allopurinol, antithyroid drugs, beta-adrenergic blockers, carbamazepine, colchicine, gentamicin, heparin, hormonal contraceptives, indomethacin, lithium, trimethadione, valproic acid, excessive doses of vitamin A, and warfarin. Hair growth usually resumes when these drugs are discontinued.
Radiation therapy
Like certain drugs, radiation therapy produces temporary reversible hair loss a few weeks after exposure. Because X-rays damage hair follicles at the site of therapy, head or scalp X-rays cause the most obvious hair loss.
Thallium poisoning
Thallium poisoning produces diffuse but temporary hair loss on the scalp. Nausea and vomiting are also common. In acute poisoning, the patient may experience arm and leg pain, bilateral ptosis, ataxia, fever, nasal congestion, conjunctival injection, and abdominal pain. In chronic poisoning, he may experience translucent, thin, and shiny skin and signs of renal damage such as oliguria.
Weight gain, excessive:
Medical causes
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Acromegaly
This disorder causes moderate weight gain. Other findings include coarsened facial features, prognathism, enlarged hands and feet, increased sweating, oily skin, deep voice, back and joint pain, lethargy, sleepiness, heat intolerance and, occasionally, hirsutism.
Cushing’s syndrome (hypercortisolism)
Excessive weight gain, usually over the trunk and the back of the neck (buffalo hump), characteristically occurs in this disorder. Other cushingoid features include slender extremities, moon face, weakness, purple striae, emotional lability, and increased susceptibility to infection. Gynecomastia may occur in men; hirsutism, acne, and menstrual irregularities may occur in women.
Diabetes mellitus
The increased appetite associated with this disorder may lead to weight gain, although weight loss sometimes occurs instead. Other findings include fatigue, polydipsia, polyuria, nocturia, weakness, polyphagia, and somnolence.
Heart failure
Despite anorexia, weight gain may result from edema. Other typical findings include paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, orthopnea, and fatigue.
Hyperinsulinism
This disorder increases appetite, leading to weight gain. Emotional lability, indigestion, weakness, diaphoresis, tachycardia, visual disturbances, and syncope also occur.
Hypogonadism
Weight gain is common in this disorder. Prepubertal hypogonadism causes eunuchoid body proportions with relatively sparse facial and body hair and a high-pitched voice. Postpubertal hypogonadism causes loss of libido, impotence, and infertility.
Hypothalamic dysfunction
Conditions such as Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome cause a voracious appetite and subsequent weight gain along with altered body temperature and sleep rhythms.
Hypothyroidism
In this disorder, weight gain occurs despite anorexia. Related signs and symptoms include fatigue; cold intolerance; constipation; menorrhagia; slowed intellectual and motor activity; dry, pale, cool skin; dry, sparse hair; and thick, brittle nails. Myalgia, hoarseness, hypoactive deep tendon reflexes, bradycardia, and abdominal distention may occur. Eventually, the face assumes a dull expression with periorbital edema.
Metabolic syndrome
This syndrome, previously called syndrome X, consists of a group of disorders that affect metabolism, including excessive weight gain (usually in the central abdomen), hypertension (blood pressure greater than 135/85 mm Hg), abnormal cholesterol levels (high low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels, low high-density lipoprotein level), and high insulin levels. Inefficient use of insulin in the body is thought to be a major contributor to metabolic syndrome, as are physical inactivity, poor diet, and genetic factors. Individuals with metabolic syndrome are at a significantly increased risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Treatment typically involves exercising, following a heart-healthy diet, and refraining from smoking; medical therapy may be prescribed to treat the individual disorders.
Nephrotic syndrome
In this syndrome, weight gain results from edema. Severe edema (anasarca) can increase body weight by up to 50%. Related effects include abdominal distention, orthostatic hypotension, and lethargy.
Pancreatic islet cell tumor
This type of tumor causes excessive hunger, which leads to weight gain. Other findings include emotional lability, weakness, malaise, fatigue, restlessness, diaphoresis, palpitations, tachycardia, visual disturbances, and syncope.
Preeclampsia
In this disorder, rapid weight gain (exceeding the normal weight gain of pregnancy) may accompany nausea and vomiting, epigastric pain, elevated blood pressure, and blurred or double vision.
Sheehan’s syndrome
Most common in women who experience severe obstetric hemorrhage, this syndrome may cause weight gain caused by impaired pituitary gland function.
Other causes
Drugs
Corticosteroids, phenothiazines, and tricyclic antidepressants cause weight gain from fluid retention and increased appetite. Other drugs that can lead to weight gain include hormonal contraceptives, which cause fluid retention; cyproheptadine, which increases appetite; and lithium, which can induce hypothyroidism.
Weight loss, excessive:
Medical causes
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Adrenal insufficiency
Weight loss occurs in this disorder along with anorexia, weakness, fatigue, irritability, syncope, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea or constipation. Hyperpigmentation may occur at the joints, belt line, palmar creases, lips, gums, tongue, and buccal mucosa.
Anorexia nervosa
This psychogenic disorder, most common in young women, is characterized by a severe, self-imposed weight loss ranging from 10% to 50% of premorbid weight, which typically was normal or no more than 5 lb (2.3 kg) over ideal weight. Related findings include skeletal muscle atrophy, loss of fatty tissue, hypotension, constipation, dental caries, susceptibility to infection, blotchy or sallow skin, cold intolerance, hairiness on the face and body, dryness or loss of scalp hair, and amenorrhea. The patient usually demonstrates restless activity and vigor and may have a morbid fear of becoming fat. Self-induced vomiting or use of laxatives or diuretics may lead to dehydration or to metabolic alkalosis or acidosis.
Cancer
Weight loss can be a sign of many types of cancer. Other findings reflect the type, location, and stage of the tumor and can include fatigue, pain, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abnormal bleeding, and a palpable mass.
Crohn’s disease
Weight loss occurs with chronic cramping, abdominal pain, and anorexia. Other signs and symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, fever, tachycardia, hyperactive bowel sounds, and abdominal distention, tenderness, and guarding. Perianal lesions and a palpable mass in the right or left lower quadrant may also be present.
Cryptosporidiosis
This opportunistic protozoan infection may cause weight loss, profuse watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, flatulence, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, malaise, fever, and myalgia.
Depression
Severe depression may cause weight loss or weight gain along with insomnia or hypersomnia, anorexia, apathy, fatigue, and feelings of worthlessness. Indecisiveness, incoherence, and suicidal thoughts or behavior may also occur.
Diabetes mellitus
In this disorder, weight loss may occur despite increased appetite. Other findings include polydipsia, weakness, fatigue, and polyuria with nocturia.
Esophagitis
Painful inflammation of the esophagus leads to temporary avoidance of eating and subsequent weight loss. Intense pain in the mouth and anterior chest is accompanied by hypersalivation, dysphagia, tachypnea, and hematemesis. If a stricture develops, dysphagia and weight loss will recur.
Gastroenteritis
Malabsorption and dehydration cause weight loss in this disorder. The weight loss may be sudden in acute viral infections or reactions or gradual in parasitic infection. Other findings include poor skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, tachycardia, hypotension, diarrhea, abdominal pain and tenderness, hyperactive bowel sounds, nausea, vomiting, fever, and malaise.
Herpes simplex type 1
Painful fluid-filled blisters in and around the mouth make eating painful, causing decreased food intake and weight loss.
Leukemia
Acute leukemia causes progressive weight loss accompanied by severe prostration; high fever; swollen, bleeding gums; and other bleeding tendencies. Dyspnea, tachycardia, palpitations, and abdominal or bone pain may occur. As the disease progresses, neurologic symptoms may eventually develop.
Chronic leukemia, which occurs insidiously in adults, causes progressive weight loss with malaise, fatigue, pallor, enlarged spleen, bleeding tendencies, anemia, skin eruptions, anorexia, and fever.
Lymphomas
Hodgkin’s disease and malignant lymphoma cause gradual weight loss. Associated findings include fever, fatigue, night sweats, malaise, hepatosplenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy. Scaly rashes and pruritus may develop.
Pulmonary tuberculosis
This disorder causes gradual weight loss along with fatigue, weakness, anorexia, night sweats, and low-grade fever. Other clinical effects include a cough with bloody or mucopurulent sputum, dyspnea, and pleuritic chest pain. Examination may reveal dullness on percussion, crackles after coughing, increased tactile fremitus, and amphoric breath sounds.
Stomatitis
Inflammation of the oral mucosa (which are usually red, swollen, and ulcerated) in this disorder causes weight loss due to decreased eating. Associated findings include fever, increased salivation, malaise, mouth pain, anorexia, and swollen, bleeding gums.
Thyrotoxicosis
In this disorder, increased metabolism causes weight loss. Other characteristic signs and symptoms include nervousness, heat intolerance, diarrhea, increased appetite, palpitations, tachycardia, diaphoresis, a fine tremor, and possibly an enlarged thyroid gland and exophthalmos. A ventricular or atrial gallop may be heard.
Ulcerative colitis
Weight loss is a late sign of this disorder, which is initially characterized by bloody diarrhea with pus or mucus. Other findings include weakness, crampy lower abdominal pain, hyperactive bowel sounds, tenesmus, anorexia, low-grade fever and, occasionally, nausea and vomiting. Constipation may occur late. Fulminant colitis causes severe and steady abdominal pain and diarrhea, high fever, and tachycardia.
Whipple’s disease
This rare disease causes progressive weight loss along with abdominal pain, diarrhea, steatorrhea, arthralgia, fever, hyperpigmentation, lymphadenopathy, and splenomegaly.
Other causes
Drugs
Amphetamines and inappropriate dosage of thyroid preparations commonly lead to weight loss. Laxative abuse may cause a malabsorptive state that leads to weight loss. Chemotherapeutic agents may result in weight loss from severe stomatitis.
Alopecia/Hirsutism:
Differential Overview
(Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)
Alopecia
❑ Androgenetic
❑ Telogen effluvium
❑ Drugs/hair loss
❑ Anagen effluvium
❑ Alopecia areata
❑ Tinea capitis
❑ Traction
❑ Hypothyroidism
❑ Seborrheic dermatitis
❑ Discoid lupus
❑ Systemic lupus erythematosus
❑ Lichen planus
❑ Scleroderma
❑ Dietary deficiency
❑ Trichotillomania
❑ Syphilis
Hirsutism
❑ Idiopathic hirsutism
❑ Drugs/hair growth
❑ Hypertrichosis
❑ Hyperprolactinemia
❑ Polycystic ovary syndrome
❑ Cushing syndrome
❑ Adrenal tumor
❑ Ovarian tumor
❑ Ovarian hyperthecosis
Patterned Breathing:
Differential Overview
(Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)
❑ Tachypnea
❑ Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
❑ Sleep apnea
❑ Cheyne-Stokes
❑ Kussmaul
❑ Biot
❑ Apneustic
❑ Ataxic
❑ Stertorous
Clinical Findings
Tachypnea Although there are many pulmonary causes, the most important is pulmonary embolism, associated with leg swelling and pleuritic chest pain. Intense tachypnea is also seen with intracranial hemorrhage and metabolic acidosis due to sepsis or salicylate toxicity (Kussmaul, see below).
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea A patient with congestive heart failure reports awakening from sleep with air hunger and diaphoresis, and opens a window for fresh air. Cough often occurs during an episode.
Sleep apnea Roommates note loud snoring with periods of apnea terminated by a gasping snore. Excessive daytime somnolence helps to differentiate sleep apnea from regular snoring. The patient is usually obese.
Cheyne-Stokes Respiration periodically and sequentially increases in depth, then is followed by a 15 to 60 second period of apnea. This pattern is seen most commonly in severe congestive heart failure, but also in meningitis, brain tumor, pneumonia, hypoxia, altitude sickness, and stroke. Delayed feedback to central respiratory centers leads to loss of fine-tuning to changes in pCO2. The circulation time from the lung to the CNS equals one-half the cycle length. A low pontine or upper medullary lesion will produce a Cheyne-Stokes pattern unresponsive to pCO2. These patients will be cyanotic and have CO2 retention. Oxygen will enhance this pattern whereas in classic Cheyne-Stokes, the pattern would be suppressed.
Kussmaul It occurs as regular, deep, fast breathing without dyspnea in acute metabolic acidosis such as ketoacidosis, salicylate or methyl alcohol toxicity, or uremia. The respirations cannot be interrupted for speech so the patient must pause to breathe. This finding is of value in the differentiation of hypotensive shock, in which tachypnea favors sepsis rather than hypovolemia.
Biot Irregularly irregular breathing abruptly starts and stops with longer periods of apnea than breathing. Seen in pontine lesions, Biot may precede respiratory arrest.
Apneustic Bradypnea, in which the breath is held at end-inspiration, is most often a sign of pontine hemorrhage, but it may also occur in basilar artery occlusion, hypoglycemia, anoxia, or severe meningitis.
Ataxic This appears as breathing with varying tidal volumes and rates, caused by a problem with medullary chemoreceptors, but under conscious control.
Stertorous The cheeks puff in and out in a patient with increased intracranial pressure.
Patterned Erythema:
Differential Overview
(Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)
Figurate
❑ Tinea corporis
❑ Urticaria
❑ Erysipelas
❑ Erythema migrans
❑ Secondary syphilis
❑ Livedo reticularis
❑ Erythema multiforme
❑ Cutaneous larva migrans
❑ Granuloma annulare
❑ Erythema marginatum
Photodistribution
❑ Sunburn
❑ Drugs
❑ Polymorphous light eruption
❑ Systemic lupus erythematosus
❑ Porphyria cutanea tarda
❑ Pellagra
Differentiate from Cellulitis
❑ Insect bite
❑ Acute gout
❑ Deep vein thrombophlebitis
❑ Erythema migrans
❑ Fixed drug eruption
❑ Pyoderma gangrenosa
❑ Sweet syndrome
❑ Necrotizing fasciitis
Hirsutism:
Medical causes
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
Acromegaly
About 15% of patients with acromegaly (a chronic, progressive disorder) display hirsutism. Acromegaly also causes enlarged hands and feet, coarsened facial features, prognathism, increased diaphoresis and need for sleep, oily skin, fatigue, weight gain, heat intolerance, and lethargy.
Adrenocortical carcinoma
Adrenocortical carcinoma produces rapidly progressive hirsutism along with truncal obesity, buffalo hump, moon face, oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, muscle wasting, and thin skin with purple striae. The patient also exhibits muscle weakness, excessive diaphoresis, poor wound healing, weakness, fatigue, hypertension, hyperpigmentation, and personality changes.
Androgen overproduction by ovaries
The most common cause of hirsutism, androgen overproduction is associated with anovulation that progresses slowly over several years. Other signs of virilization may also become apparent, such as deepening of the voice, acne, and clitoral enlargement.
Cushing’s syndrome
Cushing’s syndrome commonly causes increased hair growth on the face, abdomen, breasts, chest, or upper thighs. Other findings include truncal obesity, buffalo hump, moon face, thin skin, purple striae, ecchymoses, petechiae, muscle wasting and weakness, poor wound healing, hypertension, weakness, fatigue, excessive diaphoresis, hyperpigmentation, menstrual irregularities, and personality changes.
Hyperprolactinemia
Hyperprolactinemia produces hirsutism, hypogonadism, galactorrhea, amenorrhea, and acne. The patient may also have a history of infertility. If a pituitary tumor is the cause of elevated prolactin levels, visual field defects may also be present.
Idiopathic hirsutism
In patients with normal-sized ovaries, normal menses, and no evidence of adrenal hyperplasia or adrenal or ovarian tumors, excess hair appears at puberty and increases into early adulthood. It’s accompanied by acne, obesity, infrequent menses or anovulation, and thick, oily skin. Idiopathic hirsutism with regular ovulation and no menstrual abnormalities may be hereditary or related to certain ethnic groups who are hypersensitive to androgens.
Ovarian tumor
An ovarian tumor can cause rapidly progressing hirsutism — but only if the tumor produces androgens. Amenorrhea and rapidly developing virilization are additional findings. However, some ovarian tumors produce no symptoms.
Polycystic ovary disease
Ovarian cysts, particularly chronic ones, can cause hirsutism. This hirsutism usually occurs after the onset of menstrual irregularities, which may begin at puberty. The patient may also be obese and have amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, menometrorrhagia, infertility, and acne.
Other causes
Drugs
Hirsutism can result from drugs containing androgens or progestins or from aminoglutethimide, glucocorticoids, metoclopramide, cyclosporine, and minoxidil.
Weight gain, excessive:
Medical causes
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
Acromegaly
Acromegaly causes moderate weight gain. Other findings include coarsened facial features, prognathism, enlarged hands and feet, increased sweating, oily skin, deep voice, back and joint pain, lethargy, sleepiness, and heat intolerance. Occasionally, hirsutism may occur.
Diabetes mellitus
The increased appetite associated with diabetes mellitus may lead to weight gain, although weight loss sometimes occurs instead. Other findings include fatigue, polydipsia, polyuria, nocturia, weakness, polyphagia, and somnolence.
Heart failure
Despite anorexia, weight gain may result from edema. Other typical findings in heart failure include paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, tachypnea, tachycardia, nausea, orthopnea, and fatigue.
Hypercortisolism
Excessive weight gain, usually over the trunk and the back of the neck (buffalo hump), characteristically occurs in hypercortisolism. Other cushingoid features include slender extremities, moon face, weakness, purple striae, emotional lability, and increased susceptibility to infection. Gynecomastia may occur in men; hirsutism, acne, and menstrual irregularities may occur in women.
Hyperinsulinism
Hyperinsulinism increases appetite, leading to weight gain. Emotional lability, indigestion, weakness, diaphoresis, tachycardia, vision disturbances, and syncope also occur.
Hypogonadism
Weight gain is common in hypogonadism. Prepubertal hypogonadism causes eunuchoid body proportions with relatively sparse facial and body hair and a high-pitched voice. Postpubertal hypogonadism causes loss of libido, impotence, and infertility.
Hypothyroidism
With hypothyroidism, weight gain occurs despite anorexia. Related signs and symptoms include fatigue; cold intolerance; constipation; menorrhagia; slowed intellectual and motor activity; dry, pale, cool skin; dry, sparse hair; and thick, brittle nails. Myalgia, hoarseness, hypoactive deep tendon reflexes, bradycardia, and abdominal distention may occur. Eventually, the face assumes a dull expression with periorbital edema.
Nephrotic syndrome
With nephrotic syndrome, weight gain results from edema. In severe cases, anasarca develops — increasing body weight up to 50%. Related effects include abdominal distention, orthostatic hypotension, and lethargy.
Pancreatic islet cell tumor
Pancreatic islet cell tumor causes excessive hunger, which leads to weight gain. Other findings include emotional lability, weakness, malaise, fatigue, restlessness, diaphoresis, palpitations, tachycardia, vision disturbances, and syncope.
Preeclampsia
With preeclampsia, rapid weight gain (exceeding the normal weight gain of pregnancy) may accompany nausea and vomiting, epigastric pain, elevated blood pressure, and visual blurring or double vision.
Other causes
Drugs
Corticosteroids, phenothiazines, and tricyclic antidepressants cause weight gain from fluid retention and increased appetite. Other drugs that can lead to weight gain include hormonal contraceptives, which cause fluid retention; cyproheptadine, which increases appetite; and lithium, which can induce hypothyroidism.
Weight loss, excessive:
Medical causes
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
Adrenal insufficiency
Weight loss occurs with adrenal insufficiency, along with anorexia, weakness, fatigue, irritability, syncope, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea or constipation. Hyperpigmentation may occur at the joints, belt line, palmar creases, lips, gums, tongue, and buccal mucosa.
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa, a psychogenic disorder that’s most common in young women, is characterized by a severe, self-imposed weight loss ranging from 10% to 50% of premorbid weight, which typically was normal or not more than 5 lb (2.3 kg) over ideal weight. Related findings include skeletal muscle atrophy, loss of fatty tissue, hypotension, constipation, dental caries, susceptibility to infection, blotchy or sallow skin, cold intolerance, hairiness on the face and body, dryness or loss of scalp hair, and amenorrhea. The patient usually demonstrates restless activity and vigor and may also have a morbid fear of becoming fat. Self-induced vomiting or use of laxatives or diuretics may lead to dehydration or to metabolic alkalosis or acidosis.
Cancer
Weight loss is often a sign of cancer. Other findings reflect the type, location, and stage of the tumor and can include fatigue, pain, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abnormal bleeding, and a palpable mass.
Crohn’s disease
With Crohn’s disease, weight loss occurs with chronic cramping, abdominal pain, and anorexia. Other signs and symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, fever, tachycardia, abdominal tenderness and guarding, hyperactive bowel sounds, abdominal distention, and pain. Perianal lesions and a palpable mass in the right or left lower quadrant may also be present.
Cryptosporidiosis
Weight loss may occur with cryptosporidiosis, an opportunistic protozoan infection. Other findings include profuse watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, flatulence, anorexia, malaise, fever, nausea, vomiting, and myalgia.
Depression
Weight loss or weight gain may occur with severe depression, along with insomnia or hypersomnia, anorexia, apathy, fatigue, and feelings of worthlessness. Indecisiveness, incoherence, and suicidal thoughts or behavior may also occur.
Diabetes mellitus
Weight loss may occur with diabetes mellitus, despite increased appetite. Other findings include polydipsia, weakness, fatigue, blurred vision, and polyuria with nocturia.
Esophagitis
Painful inflammation of the esophagus leads to temporary avoidance of eating and subsequent weight loss. Intense pain in the mouth and anterior chest occurs, along with hypersalivation, dysphagia, tachypnea, and hematemesis. If a stricture develops, dysphagia and weight loss will recur.
Gastroenteritis
Malabsorption and dehydration cause weight loss in gastroenteritis. The loss may be sudden in acute viral infections or reactions or gradual in parasitic infection. Other findings include poor skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, tachycardia, hypotension, diarrhea, abdominal pain and tenderness, hyperactive bowel sounds, nausea, vomiting, fever, and malaise.
Herpes simplex 1
With herpes simplex 1, painful fluid-filled blisters in and around the mouth, especially the tongue, gums, and cheeks, make eating painful causing decreased food intake and weight loss. Fever and pharyngitis may also occur.
Leukemia
Acute leukemia causes progressive weight loss accompanied by severe prostration; high fever; swollen, bleeding gums; and bleeding tendencies. Dyspnea, tachycardia, palpitations, and abdominal or bone pain may occur. As the disease progresses, neurologic symptoms may eventually develop.
Chronic leukemia, which occurs insidiously in adults, causes progressive weight loss with malaise, fatigue, pallor, enlarged spleen, bleeding tendencies, anemia, skin eruptions, anorexia, and fever.
Lymphoma
Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cause gradual weight loss. Associated findings include fever, fatigue, night sweats, malaise, hepatosplenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy. Scaly rashes and pruritus may develop.
Pulmonary tuberculosis
Pulmonary tuberculosis causes gradual weight loss, along with fatigue, weakness, anorexia, night sweats, and low-grade fever. Other clinical effects include a cough with bloody or mucopurulent sputum, dyspnea, and pleuritic chest pain. Examination may reveal dullness on percussion, crackles after coughing, increased tactile fremitus, and amphoric breath sounds.
Stomatitis
Inflammation of the oral mucosa (usually red, swollen, and ulcerated) in stomatitis causes weight loss due to decreased eating. Associated findings include fever, increased salivation, malaise, mouth pain, anorexia, and swollen, bleeding gums.
Thyrotoxicosis
With thyrotoxicosis, increased metabolism causes weight loss. Other characteristic signs and symptoms include nervousness, heat intolerance, diarrhea, increased appetite, palpitations, tachycardia, diaphoresis, fine tremor, and possibly an enlarged thyroid and exophthalmos. A ventricular or atrial gallop may be heard.
Ulcerative colitis
Weight loss is a late sign of ulcerative colitis, which is initially characterized by bloody diarrhea with pus or mucus. Weakness, crampy lower abdominal pain, tenesmus, anorexia, low-grade fever, and occasional nausea and vomiting may also occur. Bowel sounds are hyperactive, and constipation may occur late. With fulminant colitis, severe and steady abdominal pain and diarrhea, high fever, and tachycardia occur.
Other causes
Drugs
Amphetamines and inappropriate dosage of thyroid preparations commonly lead to weight loss. Laxative abuse may cause a malabsorptive state that leads to weight loss. Chemotherapeutic agents cause stomatitis, which, when severe, causes weight loss.
Hair Loss:
Principal Causes of Hair Loss
(The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics)
- Congenitalhair loss
- Localized
- Nevussebaceous of Jadassohn
- Aplasia cutis congenita
- Congenital triangular alopecia
- Diffuse
- Ectodermal dysplasias
- Hair shaft defects
- Loose anagen hair syndrome
- Congenital hypothyroidism
- Localized
- Acquired hair loss
- Localized
- Tractionalopecia
- Trichotillomania
- Tinea capitis
- Injury
- Alopecia areata
- Other
- Diffuse
- Telogen effluvium
- Anagen effluvium
- Androgenetic alopecia
- Localized
Weight gain, excessive:
Medical causes
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
Acromegaly.Acromegaly causes moderate weight gain. Other findings include coarsened facial features, prognathism, enlarged hands and feet, increased sweating, oily skin, deep voice, back and joint pain, lethargy, sleepiness, and heat intolerance. Occasionally, hirsutism may occur.
Diabetes mellitus. Hypercortisolism. Hyperinsulinism. Hypogonadism.Weight gain is common in hypogonadism. Prepubertal hypogonadism causes eunuchoid body proportions with relatively sparse facial and body hair and a high-pitched voice. Postpubertal hypogonadism causes loss of libido, impotence, and infertility.
Hypothalamic dysfunction.Conditions such as Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome cause a voracious appetite with subsequent weight gain, along with altered body temperature and sleep rhythms.
Hypothyroidism. Metabolic syndrome. Nephrotic syndrome. Pancreatic islet cell tumor.Pancreatic islet cell tumor causes excessive hunger, which leads to weight gain. Other findings include emotional lability, weakness, malaise, fatigue, restlessness, diaphoresis, palpitations, tachycardia, vision disturbances, and syncope.
Preeclampsia.With preeclampsia, rapid weight gain (exceeding the normal weight gain of pregnancy) may accompany nausea and vomiting, epigastric pain, elevated blood pressure, and blurred or double vision.
Sheehan's syndrome.Most common in women who experience severe obstetric hemorrhage, Sheehan's syndrome may cause weight gain.
Drugs.Corticosteroids, phenothiazines, and tricyclic antidepressants cause weight gain from fluid retention and increased appetite. Other drugs that can lead to weight gain include hormonal contraceptives, which cause fluid retention; cyproheptadine, which increases appetite; and lithium, which can induce hypothyroidism.
Adrenal insufficiency. Anorexia nervosa. Cancer.Weight loss is often a sign of cancer. Other findings reflect the type, location, and stage of the tumor and can include fatigue, pain, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abnormal bleeding, and a palpable mass.
Crohn's disease. Cryptosporidiosis. Depression.Weight loss or weight gain may occur with severe depression, along with insomnia or hypersomnia, anorexia, apathy, fatigue, and feelings of worthlessness. Indecisiveness, incoherence, and suicidal thoughts or behavior may also occur.
Diabetes mellitus. Esophagitis.Painful inflammation of the esophagus leads to temporary avoidance of eating and subsequent weight loss. Intense pain in the mouth and anterior chest occurs, along with hypersalivation, dysphagia, tachypnea, and hematemesis. If a stricture develops, dysphagia and weight loss will recur.
Gastroenteritis. Leukemia.Acute leukemia causes progressive weight loss accompanied by severe prostration; high fever; swollen, bleeding gums; and bleeding tendencies. Dyspnea, tachycardia, palpitations, and abdominal or bone pain may occur. As the disease progresses, neurologic symptoms may eventually develop.
Chronic leukemia Lymphoma.Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cause gradual weight loss. Associated findings include fever, fatigue, night sweats, malaise, hepatosplenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy. Scaly rashes and pruritus may develop.
Pulmonary tuberculosis. Stomatitis.Inflammation of the oral mucosa (usually red, swollen, and ulcerated) in stomatitis causes weight loss due to decreased eating. Associated findings include fever, increased salivation, malaise, mouth pain, anorexia, and swollen, bleeding gums.
Thyrotoxicosis. Drugs.Amphetamines and inappropriate dosage of thyroid preparations commonly lead to weight loss. Laxative abuse may cause a malabsorptive state that leads to weight loss. Chemotherapeutic agents cause stomatitis or nausea and vomiting, which, when severe, causes weight loss.
Conditions listing Hirsutism
as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Hirsutism.
Our database lists the following as having
Hirsutism as a symptom of that condition:
When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react
causing Hirsutism as a symptom.
The list below is incomplete and various other drugs or substances may cause your symptoms.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
Read more about medication causes of Hirsutism
The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Hirsutism:
As with all medical conditions,
there may be many causal factors.
Further relevant information on causes of Hirsutism may be found in:
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Medical causes
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