What If Seniors Over 60 Lose Weight Without Any Reason?

Scale. [Image source=Clipart Korea]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] How should one view a sudden and unexplained weight loss?

Maintaining an appropriate weight is always emphasized by experts for a healthy life. If overweight, reducing weight through exercise and dietary therapy to maintain an appropriate weight level can help with health management.

However, if weight continuously decreases unintentionally, it may be caused by physical or mental problems, so it is necessary to check your health condition.

It is especially important to pay attention quickly if an elderly person suddenly loses weight, as it can be dangerous.

After the age of 60, due to aging, fat tissue increases and muscle decreases naturally, resulting in an average weight loss of about 0.5% per year.

During hot summer months, loss of appetite and inadequate food intake can also cause weight loss.

Causes of weight loss include ▲ decreased activity and changes in hormone activity that affect feelings of fullness and hunger leading to loss of appetite ▲ decreased function such as inability to smell or taste food well or difficulty chewing causing slower digestion ▲ dental problems ▲ side effects of medication ▲ dementia ▲ depression, among others.

Even without a specific cause, sudden weight loss in the elderly can lead to protein and energy deficiency, lowering immunity and increasing susceptibility to infectious diseases such as pneumonia.

Reports also indicate that muscle weakness caused by weight loss doubles the risk of hip fractures due to falls.

If weight decreases by more than 10%, pressure ulcers frequently occur and are slow to heal.

Therefore, if unexplained weight loss continues, management such as increasing weight through proper exercise and nutritional intake is necessary for a healthy old age.

In cases of weight loss due to disease, related symptoms are often present, and 75% of causes can be identified through examination, medical history, and tests, followed by treatment according to the cause.

If the cause is unclear, under a doctor's judgment, it is recommended to monitor whether weight increases again over 3 to 6 months through nutritional intake.

If weight loss is accompanied by ▲ rapid weight loss ▲ weight loss of more than 10% ▲ shortness of breath ▲ fever above 38 degrees Celsius ▲ refusal to eat ▲ severe pain ▲ night sweats ▲ palpable masses, you must visit a medical institution.

Kim Yoon-mi, head of the Comprehensive Health Screening Center at Daedong Hospital and a family medicine specialist, said, “Weight loss can be a symptom of malignant tumors, mental illnesses, endocrine diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, inflammatory diseases, etc., so regardless of age, if you notice weight loss, it is best to visit a medical institution for diagnosis.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.