If you are losing a significant amount of weight without any effort on your part, this could indicate a more serious wellness problem than you might think. Not weighing enough can be just as damaging to your wellbeing as weighing too much, and an underlying health problem could be the reason for this, so you should get a thorough check-up to investigate whether this might be the case.
Medical professionals tend to calculate if you’re at a healthy weight by your BMI. Your BMI, or Body Mass Index, is a formula that estimates your body fat using your height and weight. Generally, a normal BMI is between 19 and 24, anything over that means you’re overweight, obese, and morbidly obese as the numbers go up, and anything below 19 puts you in the underweight category.
If you are underweight, you’ll work with your doctor to find the reason behind your weight loss. You’ll start with a comprehensive physical exam, looking at health issues such as dental concerns, mood changes and swallowing problems, as this can impact the kinds and amounts of foods you eat. You should tell your doctor about any medications you’re taking, as some can lead to weight loss and a loss of taste and smell, which makes you cut back on the amount you eat without realising. With your doctor, you’ll also look at the more serious health problems that can lead to weight loss, like heart disease, cancer and depression. If your doctor suspects this is the case, you’ll likely have additional evaluation for confirmation.
You might be relieved to find that your weight loss is not connected to a health concern, but there are still several things to consider. Do you have consistent and easy access to healthy foods? As you get older, it can be difficult or expensive to regularly provide yourself with healthy meals, so you might want to ask a doctor about dining options, such as Meals on Wheels, which are available to older people. You could also try eating smaller meals more often, instead of three large meals a day, as this may help you avoid heartburn or stomach upset, and make eating more enjoyable.
Finally, try adding nutritional supplements to your diet, such as a protein powder in your milk, and this can increase the number of calories you take in each day. However, before you do this talk it through with a dietician so you find the supplements that are right for you, as well as getting advice about good food choices that fit your individual situation. Your doctor might be able to recommend someone.
Comments are closed.