Causes of a Man Losing Weight Too Fast

Diagnosis

Weight loss occurs when the body does not absorb as many calories as it uses. Rapid unintentional weight loss in men may be a symptom of serious illness. A comprehensive health history is the first step in making a diagnosis. The answers to questions such as when did weight loss start, how much weight has been lost, has diet or activity level changed, have there been mood changes or in bladder or bowel habits and any other symptoms will provide clues. A physical exam and laboratory findings, such as blood and urine tests, X-rays or ultrasounds, may be necessary to find the cause of unintentional weight loss and determine treatment choices.

Drug Use

Smoking causes loss of appetite. Medications used to treat obesity or adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (AADHD) suppress appetite and may cause the loss of several pounds, at least until tolerance builds. Drugs of abuse, such as amphetamine derivatives (methamphetamine) and cocaine are extremely addictive and usually cause rapid weight loss. Other chemical dependencies, such as alcoholism or narcotic addiction, can lead to malnutrition and weight loss. The social, legal and psychological long-term effects of drug addiction can be devastating to addicts and their families. Drug treatment facilities and 12-step self-help groups offer the best solutions.

Diabetes

Undiagnosed or untreated insulin dependent diabetes, also known as type 1 or juvenile diabetes, causes weight loss because the body cannot metabolize glucose. Other symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst and urination and night sweats. While type 2 diabetes is characterized by weight gain and can be controlled with diet and exercise, type 1 diabetes must be managed with daily injections of insulin, the hormone responsible for glucose absorption, as well as strict dietary observations. Blood sugar monitoring must be done frequently for both disorders. Although a general practice physician can diagnose type 1 diabetes, a complete workup should be done by an endocrinologist, a doctor specializing in metabolic disorders.

Infectious Diseases

Spread by breathing the same air as infected persons, tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious disease and a serious public health problem. Some TB strains are becoming drug-resistant. Men are most likely to be exposed to TB in institutions with crowded populations, such as prisons or shelters. Symptoms of weight loss may accompany chills, fever, cough and fatigue. A positive skin test does not necessarily mean that TB is active, as the disease remains latent and non-contagious in many people. To confirm active TB, a chest X-ray is ordered.

HIV infection, a sexually transmitted disease, can manifest as weight loss with abdominal pain and shortness of breath 5 to 10 years after exposure. A positive blood or saliva test for antibodies can be done anonymously to confirm infection.

Cancer

Sudden weight loss may be a warning sign of liver cancer, which is more common in men between ages 50 to 60. Unexplained weight loss also may be a sign of pancreatic cancer, the fourth leading cause of cancer in men. Malignant growth in the colon, lung and some forms of leukemia also affect the ability of the intestines to absorb nutrients. Hodgin's lymphoma, although rare, is more common in men and is characterized by weight loss. A physical examination and diagnostic tests can detect cancer. Options for treatment may include chemotherapy and radiation.

Digestive Diseases

Pancreatitis is more common in men who have a history of excessive alcohol consumption or who have gallstones. Left-sided abdominal pain, especially after meals, and weight loss are characteristic of pancreatitis.

Another digestive disorder that causes weight loss, peptic ulcers occur when the lining of the stomach or intestines is eroded and infection by H-pylori organisms take hold. Risk factors include smoking, alcoholism, and frequent use of over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

Other Conditions

Unexplained weight loss occurs in Inflammatory bowel disease, hyperthyroidism, and anorexia nervosa. These are conditions that do affect men, although they are more common in women.