What Causes Loss Of Appetite, Weight Loss, Pain In Stomach And Lower Back?

Posted on Wed, 24 Feb 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 24 Feb 2016 Answered on

Thu, 28 Apr 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : My uncle is having trouble eating and has recently lost 10 pounds. He has had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy and both were normal. He also has a random pain in his lower back. He is 82 years old. Loss of appetite and pain in stomach.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Has his pancreas been checked?

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this pain and the recent weight loss. This weight loss can be clearly attributed to decrease food intake as you reported he doesn't eat right. I will suggest that the doctors look at his pancreas as this is often a common cause of abdominal pain and weight loss in the elderly. Ask the doctors about this specifically. Please, a CT of the abdomen is advised and keep me updated with the results.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar