A method of treating weight loss due to underlying disease in a patient the method comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of an agent which reduces sympathetic nervous system activity. A method of treating weight loss due to underlying disease in a patient the 10 method comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of any one or more of the following: a compound which inhibits the effect of aldosterone such as an aldosterone antagonist; a chymase inhibitor; a cathepsin B inhibitor; a 13 receptor blocker; an imidazoline receptor antagonist; a centrally acting tx receptor antagonist; a peripherally acting ct receptor antagonist; a ganglion blocking agent; a drug that has an effect on cardiovascular reflexes and thereby reduce SNS activity such as an opiate; scopolamine; an endothelin receptor antagonist; and a xanthine oxidase inhibitor. The methods are particularly useful in treating cardiac cachexia.