Thinness Symptoms And Treatment

Thinness or underweight is a condition in a person whose weight is below the normal required weight. This can be determined based on a person’s BMI or Body Mass Index which is calculated on the basis of his or her weight and height. One of the main thinness symptoms is a BMI below 20. Besides this the other thinness symptoms would include, poor stamina, stoppage of menstrual cycles in women, increased vulnerability to infections and extreme fatigue and weakness. Occurrence of tuberculosis, respiratory and circulatory disorders, pneumonia, fever and nephritis is not uncommon in underweight individuals and also form part of the thinness symptoms. Their weakened immune system makes them prone to a variety of health complications.

Therefore underweight symptoms must not be ignored at all.

Thinness causes range from too much physical activity, malnutrition and illnesses to anorexia. Some individuals are malnourished or do not follow the right diet and may end up losing a lot of weight. Other cases may be due to a person engaging in excessive physical activity such as long hours of malnutrition. In still other cases, a combination of malnutrition and physical activity can lead to this condition. An overactive thyroid called hyperthyroidism may also cause this problem. Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia may also cause thinness. Illness such as cancer and tuberculosis are also factors. Other disorders such as chronic diarrhea and dyspepsia, liver disorders, presence of parasites and bacteria in the alimentary canal can also be causes. In some case, genetic factors also play an important role.

There are certain underweight health risks that could affect a person and these include a failing immune system, osteoporosis, problems in reproduction, anemia and hair loss. Due to a weak immune system these individuals are sick very often. They have weak bones or osteoporosis. Underweight women may suffer from infertility. Extremely thin persons are also anemic, that is, they have a very low red blood cell count. Hair loss is also noticed. Other effects of being underweight are muscle weakness, hypotension or low blood pressure and the most harmful effect is heart failure and even death. Although not as serious as the other effects, underweight persons also have premature wrinkling. Thinness problems should not be left ignored or left untreated as they can be as life-threatening as the problems of excessively obese individuals.
Thinness treatment mainly consists of diet and exercise. Sometimes, patients also require counseling especially in cases of eating disorders. The main of treatment is bringing the patient as close as possible to his normal body weight; restore nutrients that the body was lacking earlier, tissue rebuilding and finally maintaining the normal BMI that the person has managed to attain. His diet should be high in calories. A high protein diet will help in rebuilding muscle mass and tissues.

“Good” carbohydrates and fats are also important for weight gain. Vitamins and minerals are also vital. Although underweight treatment and diet go hand in hand, it is important to follow the right dietary pattern and the calorie intake must be gradually increased and not in a sudden way. More so, the patient must have the right kind of calories and not calories from unhealthy foods. Steady weight gain can be more easily maintained than a rapid increase in weight.

Along with the right diet, the person must also engage in the right kind of physical exercise that build muscle mass. Increase in muscle mass automatically ups the body weight. Practicing the right kind of yoga asanas or postures, regular medication and adequate rest are also important if one wants to gain weight.

It is important to stress on the risks of being underweight as more attention is focused on being overweight. Being thin is considered being better than being overweight, but it is not true. Thinness comes with its very own set of problems and risks.

Submitted on January 16, 2014