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Unexplained weight loss
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 (1931 conditions)
- Causes of Types
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- Drug causes (178 listings)
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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 139 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.
ANOREXIA
(Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
... Is it acute or chronic? Acute anorexia would most likely be due to an acute febrile disease or acute psychiatric disturbance. Is there a history of drug or alcohol ingestion? ... DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP ... READ EXCERPTS »
WEIGHT LOSS
(Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
... Is there fever? The presence of fever would suggest an infectious disease, such as tuberculosis, AIDS, brucellosis, and typhoid fever, but ... DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP ... READ EXCERPTS »
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 EXCERPTS »
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 and... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPTS »
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... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPTS »
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... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPTS »
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 lasts longer... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPTS »
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... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPTS »
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 EXCERPTS »
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 body (intake), properly absorbed and ... READ EXCERPTS »
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 EXCERPTS »
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? ... READ EXCERPTS »
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... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
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 overeating,... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
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’... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
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,... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... READ EXCERPTS »
Weight Loss
(A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis)
... Ankylosing spondylitis Bilateral lesions of the lateral hypothalamus (hypothalamic anorexia) Decreased food intake ... READ EXCERPTS »
Weight Gain
(A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis)
... Cessation of cigarette smoking Congenital disorders Alström syndrome ... READ EXCERPTS »
Mediastinal Masses by Predominant Compartment
(A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis)
... Anterior Substernal thyroid Thymoma Lymphoma Germinal cell neoplasm (e.g., dermoid) Ascending ... READ EXCERPTS »
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 EXCERPTS »
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... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
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 weight gain results from overeating,... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
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 EXCERPTS »
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 disorders; nutritional... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... READ EXCERPTS »
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... Approach. ... History ... Physical examination ... Testing ... Diagnostic assessment ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
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... Approach. ... History: Initial data ... Basic physical examination ... Testing ... Diagnostic assessment. ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
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... Approach ... History ... Physical examination ... Testing ... Diagnostic assessment ... READ EXCERPTS »
Involuntary Weight Loss
(Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)
... Differential Overview ❑ Diabetes ❑ Depression ❑ Inadequate intake ❑ Drugs ... Diagnostic Approach ... Clinical Findings ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
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 anorexic patient is... Causes ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
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 anorexia nervosa. It can also result... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
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 EXCERPTS »
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 deficiencies;... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
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 EXCERPTS »
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 nervosa. It can also result from... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
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, emotional factors... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... READ EXCERPTS »
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 small for gestational age (SGA). Premature... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
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 EXCERPTS »
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... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
PULSATILE MASS
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
... Simply by thinking of the location of the pulsatile mass, one can identify the cause or causes of a pulsatile mass. Orbit. This is most likely an arteriovenous fistula related to trauma or ... READ EXCERPTS »
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... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
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 Table 5, but... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
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 often than ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
Mediastinal Mass
(The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult)
... Charles Bailey, MD, PhDDon E. Eslin, MD, PhD (4th Edition) Mediastinal Mass - BASICS Mediastinal Mass - description Space-occupying lesion of the mediastinum: ... Mediastinal Mass - DIAGNOSIS ... Mediastinal Mass - TREATMENT ... Mediastinal Mass - FOLLOW UP ... Mediastinal Mass - bibliography ... Mediastinal Mass - CODES ... Mediastinal Mass - FAQ ... READ EXCERPTS »
Weight Loss
(The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult)
... Mark F. Ditmar, MD Weight Loss - BASICS Weight Loss - description A documented decrease in weight from a previous measurement. Outside of the newborn period (weight loss in the 1st 2 weeks is common),... Weight Loss - DIAGNOSIS ... Weight Loss - FOLLOW UP ... Weight Loss - bibliography ... Weight Loss - CODES ... Weight Loss - FAQ ... READ EXCERPTS »
Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
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