![]() Nutritional supplements and flavor enhancers, and dietary modification that takes into account patient preferences and chewing or swallowing disabilities may be considered. Treatment focuses on the underlying cause. When baseline evaluation is unremarkable, a three- to six-month observation period is justified. Abdominal ultrasonography may also be considered. Chest radiography and fecal occult blood testing should be performed. Recommended tests include a complete blood count, basic metabolic panel, liver function tests, thyroid function tests, C-reactive protein levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, glucose measurement, lactate dehydrogenase measurement, and urinalysis. A readily identifiable cause is not found in 16% to 28% of cases. Social factors may contribute to unintentional weight loss. ![]() Medication use and polypharmacy can interfere with taste or cause nausea and should not be overlooked. Overall, nonmalignant diseases are more common causes of unintentional weight loss in this population than malignancy. The most common etiologies are malignancy, nonmalignant gastrointestinal disease, and psychiatric conditions. Unintentional weight loss in persons older than 65 years is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |