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Article: CONSULTATION; Unintentional Weight Loss: A Warning Sign for Seniors
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- July 20, 1999
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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Q. Is it true that if one doesn't eat much for a long time that
their stomach shrinks? My senior-age husband has lost more than 20
pounds in the past year. He claims that he can't eat because his
stomach has shrunk due to poor appetite.
When I finally got him to see the doctor, his blood tests were all
normal. My husband says that I shouldn't worry. Should I? What
could cause this kind of loss of weight? What should we expect?
A. I think you still have reason for concern. Unintentional
weight loss can be a warning sign of a serious health problem. And
even if your husband's doctor can find nothing obvious, unexpected
weight loss can increase the risk for other illnesses. It can even ...