Survey
The survey should focus on identifying other unknown causes of the disease. Due to the fact that these reasons are numerous, the survey should be comprehensive.
Anamnesis
The history of present illness includes questions about quantitative weight loss and its dynamics. Weight loss reports may not be accurate. Thus, corroborating evidence should be sought, for example, in weight measurements in old medical records, changes in clothing size, or confirmation from family members. Weight loss diet Appetite, eating and swallowing, and bowel imaging should be described. On follow-up examinations, patients should keep a food diary because food recollections are often inaccurate. Nonspecific symptoms of possible causes are noted, such as feeling tired, feeling unwell, fever, and night sweats.
A systemic review should be complete, considering symptoms for all major organ systems.
Medical history can reveal conditions that can cause weight loss. It also discusses the need to use prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, soft drugs and herbal medicines. Social history can reveal changes in life situations that could explain why food intake is declining (eg, loss of a loved one, loss of independence or work, loss of a common diet).
Objective examination
Vital signs are checked for fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypotension. The weight is measured and the body mass index is calculated ( Obesity: Diagnosis ). To assess muscle mass, triceps skinfold thickness and average arm girth can be measured (see Overview of Undernutrition: Physical Examination ). BMI and lean body mass scores are primarily useful for detecting dynamics at follow-up visits. General examination should be especially complete, including examination of the heart, lungs, abdominal organs, head and neck, mammary glands, nervous system, rectum (including examination of the prostate and occult blood test), genitals, liver, spleen , lymph nodes, joints, skin, mood and emotional responses.