Weight
loss simply refers to reduction of body mass, whether it is by reducing fat or
water content and whether it is intentional or not.
Sometimes
you want to lose weight, and sometimes a medical condition can cause weight
loss. Unintentional weight loss is always a cause for concern and warrants a
visit to your physician.
When
you lose weight, you can lose fat, muscle, or water - or a combination of
these. If you are overweight, diet and exercise can help you to reduce your
overall weight and body mass.
Unintentional
Weight Loss
If
you find that you start losing weight without trying, there could be a number
of different factors at work. Many medical conditions can cause this to occur.
For
example, if you have Type I diabetes and it is not managed well, you can begin
to lose weight without trying. This is because your body begins burning fat and
muscle for energy since it cannot access the glucose from the food you are
eating. This is a serious condition that needs to be addressed by a physician.
Recommended to Read: When to Choose Weight Loss Surgery
Other
conditions that can cause unintentional weight loss include altered metabolism
due to HIV infection, hormonal imbalances like overactive thyroid gland, and
even some forms of cancers.
If
you start to lose weight without trying, how do you know when to see a doctor?
A good rule of thumb is to be concerned if you lose five percent of your body
weight in a month or ten percent over six months.
Intentional Weight
Loss
Of
course, the more familiar type of weight loss results from deliberately
attempting to lose weight due to obesity or generally wanting to be healthier.
This is sometimes referred to as therapeutic weight loss, and is usually used
to improve the health or change the appearance.
If
you have any medical conditions that are adversely affected by being
overweight, intentional weight loss is a good goal. These illnesses can include
things like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and
arthritis.
Perhaps
you just want to be able to move a little easier or have more energy.
Intentional weight loss can help you to achieve these goals also. Eating a
little less and moving a little more can take off those few excess pounds that
are slowing you down. You may have an easier time participating in your "weekend
athlete" activities if you lighten you load a bit.
One
important point to note is that crash dieting can be dangerous and should be
avoided or only undertaken under the supervision of a physician. The body can
have serious negative reactions to a severe restriction in calories, so be
careful if you decide to follow an especially restrictive diet.
As
you can see, there is a lot to know about the area of weight loss. Although
most of the time, people lose weight deliberately, sometimes weight loss can be
dangerous and a sign of a serious medical condition.
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