Treatment for unintended weight loss is directed at the cause. For example, a person with diabetes may need insulin injections or other medicines to control his or her blood glucose levels. Someone who is abusing drugs may need to enter a rehabilitation program. An individual with an infection may need antibiotics. A person with cancer may need surgery, chemotherapy , or radiation therapy .
Side effects depend on the treatment used for weight loss.
Medicines may cause allergic reactions or stomach upset. Surgery carries a risk of bleeding, infection, and allergic reactions to anesthesia . A person who loses weight from diet and exercise often feels healthier and happier. Someone with unintentional weight loss may be cured by treatment, such a person with depression . Others may die, such as those with advanced cancer , HIV , or severe liver disease .