Weight Loss
What can be done to prevent the condition?
For unintended weight loss, prevention is related to the cause. Avoiding the drugs that cause weight loss could prevent those cases due to drugs. Practicing safer sex could prevent many cases due to HIV infection. Many cases of unintended weight loss cannot be prevented.
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
Intentional weight loss from a healthy diet and exercise decreases the risk of:
blood clots, such as deep venous thromboses
cancer
death
diabetes
gallstones
heart disease
high blood pressure
osteoarthritis, which is also called wear and tear arthritis, the most common type of arthritis
varicose veins, which are enlarged veins often seen in the legs
The long-term effects of unintentional weight loss are related to the cause. Cancer, diabetes, HIV, and severe heart, liver, or kidney disease are common causes of death. Many people who abuse drugs have long-term effects related to social, legal, and psychological problems from the drug abuse.
What are the risks to others?
Weight loss is not contagious. If infection is the cause of unintended weight loss, however, the infection may be contagious. HIV, for example, can be sexually transmitted. Tuberculosis can be spread through respiratory secretions.
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