Diarrhea has been associated with many health issues, including weight loss. Before I get into the topic, I want to clarify that the weight loss may occur as a result of fluid, or salt and water, loss caused by diarrhea, not a direct mechanism.
Diarrhea causes weight loss which is actually a water loss. Usually people with diarrhea loss weight rapidly because of water loss.
How Does Diarrhea Cause Weight Loss?
Diarrhea can cause weight loss for a number of reasons. Diarrhea is usually caused by a virus, bacteria or parasite. It’s important to note that this type of diarrhea isn’t the same as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Diarrhea is often temporary, although it can be severe and lead to dehydration and other health problems. The amount of weight lost will depend on how long you have diarrhea and how much fluid you lose through vomiting or urinating.
If you have chronic diarrhea, your body may develop a loss of appetite and low energy levels due to malabsorption (not absorbing nutrients properly). This could lead to weight loss over time.
Is Weight Loss from Diarrhea Healthy?
Weight loss from diarrhea is not healthy because it indicates that your body is losing nutrients through the stool instead of absorbing them from your food intake. Weight loss also results in weakened immune system due to malnutrition, which makes you susceptible to infections and diseases such as hypovitaminosis A (vitamin A deficiency), iron-deficiency anemia or even death if left untreated.
Diarrhea can cause dehydration, which leads to a drop in blood pressure that causes you to lose fluids and electrolytes through your urine. This can leave you feeling weak and tired. The loss of fluids and electrolytes may also cause muscle cramps, headaches and dizziness.
Diarrhea can be treated with medications such as loperamide, which slows bowel movements and helps control diarrhea. In severe cases, hospitalization may be needed to replenish fluids lost through diarrhea.
Dehydration related to diarrhea
The symptoms of dehydration are:
- A dry mouth or throat.
- A decrease in urine output.
- Feeling weak, faint or dizzy.
- Headache, muscle cramps and neck stiffness.
- Decreased skin elasticity (wrinkles).
- Dry, rough and scaly skin (especially the palms of your hands and soles of your feet)
- A loss of appetite and weight loss.
Diarrhea can cause dehydration and weight loss, but it’s usually temporary. Dehydration related to diarrhea can be serious. Diarrhea, which is defined as having three or more loose or watery bowel movements each day.
Serious illness as cause for sudden weight loss with diarrhea
Diarrhea can cause weight loss if you’re not getting enough to eat. If you have diarrhea, you may not be able to keep down solid food. Your body uses up its stores of fat and muscle for energy so that it can digest food. This causes weight loss.
Sudden weight loss with diarrhea may be the sign of a serious illness, especially if it happens quickly and isn’t temporary. The most common cause of sudden weight loss with diarrhea is serious illness, such as cancer or tuberculosis.
Conclusion
Diarrhea can be caused by a number of different issues, illnesses (some contagious), parasites, etc. You should always talk to your doctor about what is causing diarrhea and if this is a serious concern.
