What Are the Causes of Rapid Weight Loss?

Rapid weight loss may seem like a dream come true for someone who wants to shed body fat, but losing weight too fast can be unhealthy. Rapid weight loss has many different causes, and is sometimes the result of conscious decisions made by the person losing weight.

Crash Diets

A crash diet is an extreme diet plan that severely limits calorie intake. By eating very few calories, a person can force the body to derive its energy from calorie stores around the body. While this can lead to rapid fat burning and weight loss, it can also cause a decrease in muscle mass and overall weakness and fatigue as a result of malnutrition. A crash diet is essentially a form of anorexia, which is another potential cause of rapid weight loss.

Bulimia

Bulimia is an eating disorder where you force yourself to vomit after consuming food in order to limit the amount of calories your body actually takes in. The effect of bulimia is similar to anorexia and crash dieting--it severely limits energy intake, which can result in rapid weight loss and potentially malnutrition. Another dangerous aspect of bulimia and other eating conditions is that they can become an obsessive habit that does not stop even if the person is already a healthy weight or even underweight, causing the person to become dangerously underweight.

Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is any type of surgical procedure meant to induce weight loss, such as gastric bypass, lap band surgery and stomach stapling. These procedures often function by limiting the amount of food you can eat before feeling full. These surgeries can be very effective in promoting weight loss, and may lead to rapid weight loss in some cases. Bariatric surgery is normally only performed on people that are morbidly obese, and weight loss of a couple pounds per week can be normal in these situations.

Disease

When a person loses a large amount of weight inexplicably, the culprit may be an undiagnosed disease. Undiagnosed diabetes may result in weight loss, and cancer patients also experience rapid weight loss. Sicknesses that cause frequent vomiting and diarrhea can make it hard for the body to retain nutrients, which can also cause weight loss. If you experience rapid weight loss without an obvious cause, it's a good idea to see your doctor.

Drug Use

Certain types of drugs such as antidepressants can be a cause of rapid weight loss. Drugs that alter hormones, such as birth control pills, can also cause rapid fluctuations in weight. If you have recently started taking a new medication prior to your rapid weight loss, the drug may be the culprit. The use of illicit drugs such as heroin and cocaine can also cause weight loss as they can suppress your appetite.