As the saying goes, “A thousand dollars can’t buy a thin old man”. Due to changes in physiological functions, it is normal for people to gradually lose weight in old age. And the elderly slightly thin can avoid many chronic diseases caused by obesity, such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, etc.. However, we should also be alert to the occurrence of some elderly diseases that cause wasting. In a short period of time, the body wasting obvious, do not take it lightly, should be promptly to the hospital for examination, early detection and early treatment, in order to improve the quality of life of the elderly and prolong life. The common diseases that cause wasting in the elderly are: malignant tumors Most malignant tumors will have unexplained wasting first, and those who have lost significant weight recently should be more alert. For example, those who have respiratory symptoms such as blood clots should be alerted to lung cancer, and those who have a history of atrophic gastritis or gastric ulcer should beware of gastric cancer. Those who lose weight with blood in stool, change in stool habits, and urgency should not just assume that it is hemorrhoids, enteritis, or dysentery; those with thin stools should be especially aware of colon and rectal cancer; those who lose weight with unexplained upper abdominal pain should be investigated for pancreatic cancer. Endocrine system diseases Common endocrine system diseases that cause wasting in the elderly include diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism and hypoadrenocorticism. Diabetes mellitus is mostly obese in the early stage, but over time, the consumption increases and can lead to wasting. In the process of wasting, there are three symptoms: polyuria, polyphagia, polyphagia and weight loss, accompanied by fatigue and weakness. The incidence of hyperthyroidism in the elderly is low, but the symptoms are atypical, often without hyperphagia or excitement, and goiter and bulging eyes are rare. Hypoadrenocorticism should be taken into account when there is a gradual appearance of skin and mucous membrane pigmentation. Chronic diseases Many chronic diseases are also common causes of wasting in the elderly. Due to the strengthening of catabolism, weakened digestion and absorption and secondary infections, the body consumes too many nutrients, resulting in significant weight loss. Chronic tuberculosis is more common. Chronic diseases of the digestive tract, such as chronic gastritis, ulcer disease, chronic enteritis, chronic liver disease, chronic pancreatitis, etc.. Due to digestion and absorption disorders, a large amount of nutrients are lost and lead to malnutrition wasting. Pharmacogenic wasting Currently some commonly used drugs affect the body’s digestion, absorption and metabolism. For example, drugs that promote a significant increase in body metabolism include thyroid preparations, amphetamines, etc. Affect the loss of appetite and cause weight loss are digitalis, aminophylline, estrogen, erythromycin and sulfonamides and other antibacterial drugs and anti-inflammatory and analgesic aspirin, anti-inflammatory pain, etc.,. Treatment of chronic constipation with laxatives will affect the intestinal absorption function, resulting in wasting. As a result, elderly people who have been taking these drugs for a long time should be alert and seek medical advice if they find that their weight loss persists over a period of time. The elderly is a period of gradual degeneration of body functions, but also the peak of disease, at this time if there is abnormal thinning, should immediately observe whether the body disorders or disease may be, do not have a “thousand dollars to buy the elderly thin” fluke and relax on the “old to thin”. Don’t let go of your vigilance on “thinness in old age” because you think it’s a fluke.