The National Institutes of Health states that sudden weight loss is defined as losing more than five percent of your overall body weight in six to 12 months, without dieting or exercising. Unintentional weight loss, as NIH terms it, may result from depression, dental health issues that reduce one's ability to eat comfortably or from illnesses such as eating disorders, cancer, AIDS, hyperthyroidism, the use of certain drugs, digestive disorders or a loss of appetite. NIH recommends people with dental health problems to have them addressed. Those who have illnesses such as cancer, AIDS or hyperthyroidism can work with a nutritionist to design a diet or they may need tube feeding to prevent muscle wasting. People with eating disorders, loss of appetite, digestive disorders, depression or who abuse drugs will probably need some kind of medical intervention to recover completely.
Identification
Losing weight suddenly may be a result of anxiety, depression or more serious illness. Generally, if you lose a significant amount of weight quickly without intentionally dieting or exercising, consider seeing your doctor. For example, hyperthyroidism, or having an overactive thyroid, will speed your metabolism so that you burn through your daily calories. If you believe you have experienced anxiety, depression, drug abuse or a form of eating disorder that has reduced your normal daily calorie intake, short term therapy and rehabilitation programs are available on an outpatient basis. Other serious illnesses such as cancer, AIDS or digestive disorders such as diarrhea can also result in rapid weight loss.
Features
All of these conditions often result in a loss of appetite and reduction in weight. These conditions require different treatments according to the individual's needs. People with mood disorders or a drug-abuse issue may forget to eat or have no interest in eating or eat very little. Those with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia have a distorted self-image and may binge and purge or diet rigorously and exercise excessively to lose weight fast.
Time Frame
NIH defines sudden weight loss as losing more than five percent of your normal body weight in six to 12 months. Ordinarily, healthy dieters are encouraged to lose no more than 1. 5 to 2 pounds per week if they eat an appropriate diet and exercise. For example, sudden weight loss means that if you weigh 135 pounds and lose 35 pounds in only six months, without dieting and exercising, you may want a medical assessment.
Considerations
If you experience a sudden weight loss when you experience a dramatic life change, it may be temporary. Such changes include a new job (or loss of one), being underemployed, starting college, starting or ending an intimate relationship, the death in the family or a move to a new location. Stress and anxiety are associated with any of these scenarios and can prompt sudden weight loss.
Warning
Losing this kind of weight suddenly can be attributed to several different reasons. Generally, a blood test and questionnaire about eating habits will help find the cause. NIH cautions parents to monitor the behavior of their teenage children who may take a sudden, obsessive interest in dieting and exercise. If they use laxatives, detox teas or other nutritional supplements to replace meals have them assessed by a physician.
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