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Unexplained weight loss: Symptom Causes
Unexplained weight loss: Unexplained weight loss is listed as an alternate name or description for symptom Weight loss.
Causes of Weight loss (Unexplained weight loss): See detailed list of causes below.
Medical Book Extracts related to Weight loss (Unexplained weight loss): Refer to the excerpt book sections about Weight loss below.
- Introduction: Weight loss
- Causes (1414 conditions)
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Weight loss (medical symptom): Loss of body weight.
Introduction: Unexplained weight loss
Weight loss (medical symptom): Loss of body weight can occur due to various conditions ranging from undereating, eating disorders, to severe metabolic conditions including diabetes. Infant weight loss is often classed as failure to thrive. For inadequate growth without weight loss see poor growth. Any unexplained weight loss needs prompt professional medical advice for diagnosis and treatment.
Causes of Weight loss (Unexplained weight loss)
The list of causes of Weight loss (Unexplained weight loss) includes:
- Various simple reasons for weight loss include:
- Poor diet
- Increase in exercise or exertion
- Dieting
- Starvation
» See full list of 134 causes of Weight loss
Disease Database also lists the following causes for Weight loss (Unexplained weight loss):
» See full list of 19
causes of Weight loss (Unexplained weight loss)
- (Source - Diseases Database)
More Specific Symptoms for Unexplained weight loss:
Review the causes of the following types of more specific symptoms for Unexplained weight loss:
Related Symptoms for Unexplained weight loss
Research the causes of these related symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Unexplained weight loss:
Broader Symptom Types for Unexplained weight loss:
Research the causes of these symptoms that are more broader types of symptom than Unexplained weight loss:
More Symptom Information for Unexplained weight loss
For a medical symptom description of 'Unexplained weight loss', the following symptom information may be relevant to the symptoms: Weight loss (symptom). However, note that other causes of the symptom 'Unexplained weight loss' may be possible.
More information on symptom: Weight loss:
Medical Textbook Extracts for Unexplained weight loss
Free access to excerpts from published medical book extracts about the causes and diagnosis of Weight loss from the following published medical books is available for more detailed information that is related to Unexplained weight loss.
Weight Loss
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
... Unexplained, involuntary weight loss (defined as loss of 5% of baseline body weight over 6–12 months) is a common clinical presentation and is nearly always a sign of a serious medical or... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPT »
Weight Gain
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
... Weight gain is a very common complaint in adult medicine and has a vast differential diagnosis. The key to diagnosis is often a good history and physical examination. It is important to quantify the degree... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPT »
Anorexia
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
... Anorexia refers to a loss of appetite. The hypothalamus is thought to be the center of appetite control, but the stimuli that influence this control are poorly understood. Prolonged anorexia accompanied by weight loss or poor... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPT »
Weight Loss
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
... The norm in infants and children is to gain weight, so weight loss in a pediatric patient (unless medically indicated) should demand evaluation. Acute weight loss, defined as loss of 3–5% of body mass in less than... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPT »
Diarrhea – Chronic, No Blood or Weight Loss
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
... Chronic diarrhea (nonbloody, without weight loss) is defined as increased total daily stool output (greater than 10 g/kg/day), associated with increased stool water content; diarrhea is classified as chronic when it... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPT »
Diarrhea – Chronic, with Weight Loss
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
... Diarrhea is considered chronic when it last longer than 14 days. Weight loss with diarrhea should always be concerning and deserves thorough investigation. Collectively the malabsorption syndromes are the most common etiologic... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPT »
ANOREXIA
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
... Physiology is the most appropriate basic science to use in developing a list of the causes of anorexia. A good appetite depends on a psychic desire for food; a happy GI tract that is secreting hydrochloric acid ... READ EXCERPT »
WEIGHT LOSS
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
... As noted in Table 62, the diagnostic analysis of weight loss is best accomplished by applying physiology. Food and oxygen must be properly and regularly brought into the ... READ EXCERPT »
EPIGASTRIC MASS
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
... In developing the differential diagnosis of an epigastric mass, one merely needs to visualize the anatomy of the epigastrium from skin to spine. The conditions are presented in outline form in ... READ EXCERPT »
HYPOGASTRIC MASS
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
... More physicians have been fooled by a hypogastric mass than by a mass in any other area. How many times can you recall the mass disappearing on the operating table after catheterization of the bladder? More ... READ EXCERPT »
Anorexia
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
... Anorexia, a lack of appetite in the presence of a physiologic need for food, is a common symptom of GI and endocrine disorders and is characteristic of certain severe psychological disturbances such as anorexia nervosa. It can also... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPT »
Weight gain, excessive
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
... Weight gain occurs when ingested calories exceed body requirements for energy, causing increased adipose tissue storage. It can also occur when fluid retention causes edema. When weight gain results from... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPT »
Low birth weight
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
... Two groups of neonates are born weighing less than the normal minimum birth weight of 5½ lb (2,500 g) — those who are born prematurely (before 37 weeks’ gestation) and... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPT »
Weight loss, excessive
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
... Weight loss can reflect decreased food intake, decreased food absorption, increased metabolic requirements, or a combination of the three. Its causes include endocrine, neoplastic, GI, and psychiatric disorders;... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... READ EXCERPT »
Weight Loss
(A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis)
... Ankylosing spondylitis Bilateral lesions of the lateral hypothalamus (hypothalamic anorexia) Decreased food intake ... READ EXCERPT »
Weight Gain
(A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis)
... Cessation of cigarette smoking Congenital disorders Alström syndrome Biemond syndrome ... READ EXCERPT »
Mediastinal Masses by Predominant Compartment
(A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis)
... Anterior Substernal thyroid Thymoma Lymphoma Germinal cell neoplasm (e.g., dermoid) ... READ EXCERPT »
Anorexia nervosa
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
... The key feature of anorexia nervosa is self-imposed starvation, resulting from a distorted body image and an intense, irrational fear of gaining weight, even when the patient is obviously emaciated. A patient with anorexia is... Causes and incidence ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPT »
Anorexia
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
... Anorexia, a lack of appetite in the presence of a physiologic need for food, is a common symptom of GI and endocrine disorders and is characteristic of certain severe psychological disturbances such as anorexia nervosa. It... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPT »
Weight gain, excessive
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
... Weight gain occurs when ingested calories exceed body requirements for energy, causing increased adipose tissue storage. It can also occur when fluid retention causes edema. When... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPT »
Low birth weight
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
... Two groups of neonates are born weighing less than the normal minimum birth weight of 5½ lb (2,500 g)—those who are born prematurely (before the 37th week of gestation) and those who are small for gestational age (SGA). The... Emergency Interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPT »
Weight loss, excessive
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
... Weight loss can reflect decreased food intake, decreased food absorption, increased metabolic requirements, or a combination of the three. It may be caused by endocrine, neoplastic, GI, and psychiatric... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... READ EXCERPT »
Anorexia
(The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter)
... Shawn H. Blanchard and Scott A. Fields Anorexia is defined as the lack or loss of appetite, which can lead to unintentional weight loss. Interestingly, only 50% of people complaining of anorexia actually have... Approach. ... History ... Physical examination ... Testing ... Diagnostic assessment ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPT »
Weight Loss
(The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter)
... David B. Graham Involuntary weight loss is a challenging problem, often surrounded with fears by both patient and physician of an occult malignancy. Although malignancy is an important cause of weight loss,... Approach. ... History: Initial data ... Basic physical examination ... Testing ... Diagnostic assessment. ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPT »
Mediastinal Mass
(The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter)
... Pepi Granat Although most mediastinal masses are discovered incidentally on chest radiographs, symptoms can sometimes provide clues enabling the timely ordering of these films.... Approach ... History ... Physical examination ... Testing ... Diagnostic assessment ... READ EXCERPT »
Involuntary Weight Loss
(Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)
... Differential Overview ❑ Diabetes ❑ Depression ❑ Inadequate intake ❑ Drugs ... Diagnostic Approach ... Clinical Findings ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPT »
Anorexia nervosa
(Handbook of Diseases)
... The key feature of anorexia nervosa is self-imposed starvation resulting from a distorted body image and an intense and irrational fear of gaining weight, even when the patient is obviously emaciated. An... Causes ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPT »
Anorexia
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
... Anorexia, a lack of appetite in the presence of a physiologic need for food, is a common symptom of GI and endocrine disorders and is characteristic of certain severe psychological disturbances such as... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPT »
Weight gain, excessive
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
... Weight gain occurs when ingested calories exceed body requirements for energy, causing increased adipose tissue storage. It can also occur when fluid retention causes edema. When weight... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPT »
Weight loss, excessive
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
... Weight loss can reflect decreased food intake, decreased food absorption, increased metabolic requirements, or a combination of the three. Its causes include endocrine, neoplastic, GI, and psychiatric disorders; nutritional... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPT »
Growth Deficiency: Weight and Height
(The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics)
...Impaired weight gain and linear growth arecommon problems in the pediatric population and can occur separatelyor together. Disorders that significantly affect weight gain alsomay affect linear growth. ... Clinical Features and Diagnosis ... Diagnostic Approach ... References ... READ EXCERPT »
Anorexia
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
... Anorexia, a lack of appetite in the presence of a physiologic need for food, is a common symptom of GI and endocrine disorders and is characteristic of certain psychological disturbances such as anorexia... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPT »
Weight gain, excessive
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
... Weight gain occurs when ingested calories exceed body requirements for energy, causing increased adipose tissue storage. It can also occur when fluid retention causes edema. When weight gain results from overeating,... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... READ EXCERPT »
Low birth weight
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
... Two groups of neonates are born weighing less than the normal minimum birth weight of 51⁄2 lb (2,500 g)—those who are born prematurely (before 37 weeks' gestation) and those who are... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPT »
Weight loss, excessive
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
... Weight loss can reflect decreased food intake, decreased food absorption, increased metabolic requirements, or a combination of the three. Its causes include endocrine, neoplastic, GI, and psychiatric disorders;... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPT »
Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
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