If unexplained loss of appetite or wasting occurs within a short period of time and does not recover even after rest, it is pathological wasting and may be a precursor to some disease.
Stomach cancer usually has no specific manifestations in its early stages, but when it progresses to a certain level, there is an impairment of nutrient absorption and metabolism, and patients will gradually lose weight, and progressive wasting is often more pronounced in advanced stages. The unexplained wasting is often a sign of many cancers.
But weight loss does not necessarily mean cancer, and it is important to be alert to the possibility of other diseases as well. For example, the typical symptoms of diabetes are “three more and one less”: “three more” refers to drinking more, eating more, and urinating more, and “one less” refers to weight loss. Other diseases that may cause wasting include tuberculosis (often with hypothermia), hyperthyroidism (often with goiter and protruding eyes), chronic hyperaldosteronism (also known as Addison’s disease, which may be associated with lower blood pressure and mucous membrane pigmentation), and AIDS.
In conclusion, when unexplained wasting occurs, it is important to be alert and seek early medical attention.