FamilyDoctor.org says if you lose more than 2 pounds in a week, you're losing more water and muscle than fat. This is because it is trying to repair or heal itself,” Shapiro explains. If you have an underactive thryroid, without treatment weight loss seems hopeless. Norovirus illnesses in children and adolescents. Interestingly, this effect is different in men and women. There is, however, one silver lining to being sick: The fact that you can sometimes lose a few pounds without even trying. This is more likely to occur in young infants and children as well as older adults. It's important to take it slowly if you have been vomiting, as adding too much too quickly can cause vomiting to return or worsen. LIVESTRONG is a registered trademark of the LIVESTRONG Foundation. If you have ever had a stomach bug for more than a few hours, you may have noticed that you drop a few pounds. Your relationship could change. Losing weight is often associated with a loss of appetite. A common effect of grief on one’s physical health is a loss of appetite and, in turn, significant (or at least mild) weight loss. Is it a good thing or a bad thing? If dehydration is severe enough, you may need IV fluids to recover.. June 6, 2018 by Nicole Yi. Stress-related symptoms that may indicate that a person needs to get advice from a doctor include: a loss of more than 5% of body weight … The fact is that ultimately, throwing up does not help you to lose weight, and that actually, over time, it could cause you to gain weight. If you have symptoms of a stomach bug that last longer than a few days (or persistent vomiting for more than 24 hours), contact your healthcare provider. Shocking, I know. Some … This is because when you are vomiting, you aren't losing fat. You go for long periods without eating. However, you may have a hard time keeping the weight off when you start to feel better. You may consider the scale your friend after dealing with a cold or flu. Bulimia is a serious eating disorder—and one that is generally not very effective. Even if you aren't technically bulimic but you think you'll knock a few pounds off if you get a stomach virus, you will likely be disappointed to find that the weight will return shortly after you recover. Family history and genes. Bulimia is a serious eating disorder—and one that is generally not very effective.2 Even if you aren't technically bulimic but you think you'll knock a few pounds off if you get a stomach virus, you will likely be disappointed to find that the weight will return shortly after you recover. When you have gastroenteritis (more often called the stomach flu), the most common symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea. If you have persistent weight loss and vomiting or diarrhea that don't resolve, especially after a week or more, go to the doctor. There could be another cause of your symptoms. . There are no specific anxiety medicines that cause weight loss, but there is an antidepressant that may cause weight loss. We often do not drink as much when we are sick leading to this issue. Sign up for the best tips to take care of your stomach. Worrying can lead to high anxiety, which can trigger physical illness. Your body is trying to get rid of the virus, bacteria, or other germs that are making you sick. Vomiting and diarrhea are the symptoms of the illness—your body's defense against the germs. 2018;32(1):103–118. Chronic stress can cause unexplained weight loss. Wash them as frequently as you can: This article does not cover weight loss from intentional vomiting due to eating disorders or weight loss due to chronic or serious illness. 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