General information

With half the population of the world being over weight and a considerable chunk falling into the category of obese, it is obvious that the weight loss programs are a huge rage in the nation. When the context is heath and related issues, weight loss refers to total body weight reduction. The reduction in weight can be due to lack of fluid, adipose tissue or body fat, lean mass such as deposits of bone minerals, muscles, tendon and connective tissues.

Weight loss can be either intentional, which can be achieved through diet and exercise or unintentional, which can lead to physical disorders and illness.

Intentional Weight Loss

Weight loss, in medical terms means the loss of total mass of the body with an intention to improve the overall body fitness, health and appearance.

When treating over weight individuals, weight loss programs which are therauptic is likely to  a reduce the chances of diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiac diseases, osteoarthritis, stroke and some typical groups of cancer.

When an individual is in a state of negative balance of energy then he is likely to lose weight. It should be noted that an individual should not spend more energy than he has actually gained from diets. That might have an adverse affect altogether. It is also important to note that weight loss can involve fat loss, loss of muscle and fluids but the purpose is to maintain a good health.

Healthy people rarely feel the need to lose weight intentionally. Females who crave for an attractive figure usually follow the intentional weight loss procedure wherein they go for diets, exercise and workout sessions to lose excess fat and gain a flat stomach.

Unintentional Weight Loss

Unintentional weight loss refers to reduced body weight due to some severe disease or prolonged illness. A considerable loss of body weight followed by some other evidences can be a sign of chronic disease.

Usually, unintentional weight loss is accompanied by various other symptoms that predict the upcoming disease.

Signs and symptoms

Are you losing weight substantially? You are too happy about it as well, please do not be. You are recommended to go and see a doctor or health professional. Unintentional or unexplained loss of weight can be a sign of a disease that you are suffering from and are still not aware of it.

To begin with, any chronic disease can result in a considerable loss of body weight, from cancer to AIDS, tuberculosis, diabetes, thyroid, anorexia and many more.

If you have just changed your lifestyle and you are into dieting and exercise, then you need not worry. You are trying to lose weight intentionally. In addition, if that is not the case, then do not feel like a prince or a princess. Rush to the doctor and get the necessary tests done to confirm if you are a victim of any of these diseases.

Health Problems

Unintentional weight loss is associated with a cause that needs to be diagnosed and treated. Several reasons can be responsible for an abnormal weight loss and related heath problems
  If weight loss is accompanied by fatigue, bilious queasiness and puking out undigested food and stomachache, it is an indication of Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome and that might be the cause of weight loss.

• Anorexia
• Bulimia
• Cancer
• Dehydration
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Diabetes Insipidus
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV
• Parkinson’s disease
• Hypothyrodism
• Stroke
• Tuberculosis or TB
• Disease of connective tissue
• Chronic diarrheoa
• Alcoholism
• Smoking

Some other problems include-

•   Fitness and dieting
•   Obesity
•   Disturbance in the bowel movement
•   Dental problems
•   Parasite infections
•   Malabsorptions / Gastroenteritis
•   Prescribed or non prescribed medication

Diagnosis

Treatment

Support