Signs of Weight Loss in Females

Women have been known to neglect mild changes in body shape, including unintentional weight loss. Healthy weight loss following dieting and exercise is common while unintentional weight loss is an indicator of underlying diseases affecting the body’s digestive system.

Neglecting these symptoms can result in delayed treatment and diagnosis of life-threatening diseases.

Persistent Digestive Discomfort

These symptoms can be suggestive of gastritis, acid reflux, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in eating disordered patients. If symptoms remain present in patients who have received dietary changes, patients should be assessed by physicians.

Changes in Bowel Habits

Repeated occurrences of diarrhea or constipation or irregular stools, along with weight loss, can be a symptom of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Malabsorptive diseases like celiac disease can prevent nutrients from being absorbed by the body, leading to weight loss.

Loss of Appetite

Loss of appetite or fullness quickly can be an indicator of gastritis, stomach ulcers, or stomach cancer. When the lining in the stomach is inflamed, eating is painful, causing avoidance of eating and unintentional weight loss.

Difficulty Swallowing

It becomes painful or uncomfortable to swallow because esophageal conditions like damage to the esophagus by acid, esophagitis, or an esophageal stricture can lead to this. This leads to decreased eating in turn causing subsequent weight loss.

Frequent Vomiting

Repeated vomiting following meals can indicate gastroparesis, in which the stomach does not empty correctly, causing malnourishment. Repeated vomiting can indicate food intolerance or life-threatening infections in the digestive system.

When to Seek Medical Help

In the presence of severe symptoms in digestion, weakness, or fatigue during weight loss, referral to a gastroenterologist is necessary. Prompt identification of diseases including IBD, ulcers, or colon or rectum cancers can result in improved outcomes.

Dr. Kailash Mishra
Director & Gastroenterologist Consultant
Prime Gastro Liver Clinic