Diarrhea is a condition in which, the person who suffers from it, has frequent bowel movements, nausea, vomiting and excessive loss of water in the body. Diarrhea is usually caused by various reasons such as food poisoning, bacterial infection, allergy, entry of parasites and many more.
Diarrhea usually lasts 4-6 days and requires certain medications, but if the case gets worse, it can last up to 2-3 weeks, eventually making your body weak and tired. And if you seem to lose weight during this phase, diarrhea is the only reason, as the body’s water content decreases and food is still flushed out. Eventually, the fat turns into protein and causes your body to lose weight.
The amount of weight you can lose during diarrhea may depend on the severity of the diarrhea, the food you eat, and the water content you take. And few people think that the weight lost during diarrhea is usually water loss but not actual fat loss.
What diarrhea makes you lose weight?
Diarrhea is of different kinds, as there are many reasons for it to occur. Chronic diarrhea is considered weight loss. Here are some other situations that can lead to weight loss:
- Inflammatory bowel disease: Causes nutrient malabsorption
- Celiac disease: The body loses the ability to tolerate gluten, which leads to weight loss.
- Chronic pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas is caused.
- Hyperthyroidism: Too much thyroid hormone production and increased metabolism.
Does diarrhea make you lose weight?
Yes, diarrhea can cause you to lose weight, and it’s crucial to treat the underlying cause of diarrhea rather than using it as a weight loss strategy, because diarrhea is a sign of a medical problem or of an underlying disease. It is essential to get medical help if you have diarrhea for a prolonged period, as persistent diarrhea can lead to dehydration and other health problems.
What is the degree of weight loss?
Losing weight around 3-5 kg per month is considered normal, and this process should be stopped in 2-6 months depending on your weight loss goals. But the weight loss should not exceed more than 5 kg per month, and if it is more than 5 kg, it is highly recommended to consult your health care professional to stop further loss and know the underlying reason. IIf weight loss is a reason for your diet and exercise efforts, it’s healthy, but if it’s independent of your actions, you should be concerned and see a doctor.
How can I gain weight after diarrhea?
Here are some tips to help you gain weight, if you lost weight during diarrhea.
- Drink more water and fluids
- Eat small amounts at regular intervals
- Include healthy fats
- Consume protein supplements
- Give a Break to Excessive Workouts
- Make regular medical visits
6 Other causes of sudden weight loss:
1. Muscle loss:
Muscle loss, also known as muscle atrophy, is a major symptom of muscle weakness. Generally, your body is made up of fat mass and fat-free mass which includes bone, muscle, and water. So if you lose muscle, you will lose weight.
This is very common in people who do not exercise regularly or who have a desk job or are bedridden. Exercising and eating nutritious foods can easily reverse muscle loss. Below are some other causes of muscle loss that cause you to lose weight without knowing it.
- burns
- Stroke
- Aging
- injuries
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Multiple sclerosis
- nerve damage
2. Inflammatory bowel disease:
Sudden weight loss can also occur due to the condition called inflammatory bowel disease, often referred to as IBD.. It encompasses several chronic inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract. The chronic inflammation of IBD keeps your body in a catabolic state, which means your body is constantly using up your energy. It also disrupts ghrelin, the hunger hormone, and leptin, the satiety hormone. You can easily prevent this disease by following a nutritious diet or taking proper medication or sometimes surgery.
3. Tuberculosis:
Tuberculosis is another common cause of your sudden weight loss. It is a cautious condition that affects your lungs, where weight loss and decreased appetite are the main symptoms of tuberculosis. It spreads through the air, if your immune system can fight it, the bacteria can become inactive, which is called latent tuberculosis.
Some other symptoms of TB include:
- Fatigue
- Night sweats
- Chills
- Fever
- A bad cough that lasts more than 3 weeks
- Chest pain
4. Addison’s disease:
Addison’s disease develops when the immune system attacks the adrenal glands. When they attack the adrenal glands, they cannot make enough hormones like cortisol, which is responsible for metabolism and appetite. Low cortisol levels can lead to poor appetite and weight loss.
Other symptoms of Addison’s disease include:
- Low blood pressure
- craving for salt
- Hyperpigmentation
- chronic fatigue
- Muscular weakness
5. Pancreatitis:
Pancreatitis is a problem with the pancreas which produces enzymes that aid digestion, this is another cause of unexpected weight loss. When you have this disease, the pancreas becomes inflamed and does not produce enough enzymes for the proper digestion of food.
Other symptoms of pancreatitis also include:
- stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Nausea after eating fatty foods
6. Rheumatoid arthritis:
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks your joint lining and causes inflammation. Chronic joint inflammation can speed up metabolism and easily reduce overall weight.
Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis begins with medication, and medications include anti-rheumatic drugs, biologics, corticosteroids, and inhibitors.
To take with
Losing weight without trying should be a concern. It could indicate underlying issues with your health. You need to be aware of what’s going on in your body before it’s too late.
It’s completely normal for your body weight to fluctuate, but if you’re losing weight without changing your lifestyle, it’s time to see your doctor. And consultation is recommended every 6-12 months and try to write down the symptoms to discuss with your doctor during the period.
FAQs
Does diarrhea suppress calories?
Yes, diarrhea can help burn calories, but it depends on how bad the diarrhea is and how long it has been going on. The more time there was, the more chance there was of losing weight.
Is diarrhea bad for weight gain?
Yes, diarrhea is a situation where you lose weight, and it is very difficult to gain it. During diarrhea, you tend to lose more water from the body and have frequent bowel movements.
How can I have diarrhea and not lose weight?
Taking more fluids and having healthy fats and proper medications can help you maintain your weight during diarrhea.
The references
Diarrhea and weight loss: what do you need to know? By Healthify Me, December 6, 2022.
Diarrhea and weight gain. By Medicine Net, June 15, 2020.
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