Okuzeka
Medicine vocabulary · Symptoms and Signs

Weight loss

Meaning in medicine, with examples

/ˈweɪt lɔːs/nounCommon term

In medicine, weight loss means: A drop in body weight; when it happens without trying, it can be a sign of a serious illness such as cancer or an overactive thyroid.

In Turkish: kilo kaybı, zayıflama

How it is used

In the history, doctors ask about 'unintentional' or 'unexplained weight loss', how much and over what time. It is a classic red flag, often asked together with night sweats and loss of appetite. In obesity care, weight loss is the goal.

Example sentences

  1. Have you noticed any weight loss recently without trying?

  2. She reports 8 kg of weight loss over three months.

Common collocations

  • unintentional weight loss
  • unexplained weight loss
  • significant weight loss
  • weight loss surgery
  • red flagA symptom or sign that suggests a serious cause, such as cancer or a spinal problem, and needs urgent attention or tests.
  • cancerA disease in which abnormal cells grow out of control, can destroy nearby tissue and may spread to other parts of the body.
  • fatigueExtreme tiredness or lack of energy that does not go away with normal rest, often a symptom of illness or of treatment.
  • obesityA condition in which a person has so much body fat that it may harm their health; in adults it is usually defined as a BMI of 30 or more.

More terms: Symptoms and Signs

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.