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why am I losing my appetite therefore losing weight. I am 84

Sent to Health Experts August 10, 2007 5:23 p.m.

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Male, Age: 84, New York

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August 10, 2007 5:26 p.m. (3 minutes and 47 seconds later)

Hello,
Since when have you been losing weight? How much weight have you lost?
Any other medical problem or disease?
Any other symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, weakness etc.?
Thanks.

Dr A Gupta -- Doctor (MD) -- 99% Positive Feedback on 912 Health Accepts
MD Internal Medicine, Internist with over 12 years of urgent care/outpatient experience.

Reply
Sent August 10, 2007 5:56 p.m. (29 minutes and 49 seconds later)

Over one year, 12 lbs., no other symptons

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
August 10, 2007 6:26 p.m. (29 minutes and 55 seconds later)

ACCEPTED

Hello,
The loss of appetite for a year can be due to GI problems like diverticulitis, mesenteric ischemia, inflammatory bowel disease (like crohns disease) or colon cancer. Diverticulitis has also additional symptoms like fever, pain etc. Mesenteric ischemia refers to decreased blood supply to intestines due to clogged arteries.

Also loss of appetite can also be due to psychological problems like depression and dysthymia (mild form of depression). Also decreased caloric demand of the body due to decreased activity can also cause loss of appetite resulting in loss of weight. And presence of malignancy (cancer) anywhere in the body can also cause gradual loss of weight.

I would recommend that you consider these possibilities with your physician to narrow down the diagnosis.

Regards.
Dr. Gupta

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Please do click "Accept" if my comments were useful. Let me know if you have further queries. A positive feedback is always encouraging.

Dr A Gupta -- Doctor (MD) -- 99% Positive Feedback on 912 Health Accepts
MD Internal Medicine, Internist with over 12 years of urgent care/outpatient experience.

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