4 Medical Issues Associated with Weight Gain
4 Medical Issues that could Cause Weight Gain
Losing weight is no easy task and the progress that you have been waiting to see can take a while to manifest. This especially holds true when your program involves losing weight at a steadier pace instead of that quick fix type of thing. If you have been trying to shed some pounds for a while now, it is possible that you, yourself have already observed the same. Well, as they say, aim for progress and not perfection, right? On the other hand, if you are beginning to notice that you are not making any progress at all and that you seem to be plateauing, then it is time to take a step back to see what could be going wrong. Get back to the basics of what you are eating, how you are exercising, and which tracking program you are using.
Now, at the end of all that and you could not find anything significant, then the root cause of the problem could be a medical issue. In case you have been gaining instead of losing weight, then the weight gain could be just a symptom of an underlying problem that needs to be addressed first. Yes, there are medical conditions that can hinder you from achieving your weight loss goals and lead you in the opposite direction. It is not even your strategies that are the culprit but the health issues listed below:
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in women
A common hormonal issue, PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome affects women who are of childbearing age. It particularly affects the reproductive function and women can suffer from high levels of androgen, irregular menstrual periods, infertility, acne, excess hair growth, and yes, weight gain. Women with PCOS can have numerous cysts that develop in the ovaries and may not ovulate. The hormonal shifts can either lead to a heavy period flow or loss of periods and can be made worse by weight gain. What happens is that, a resistance to insulin takes place and the weight gets concentrated in the abdominal areas. The other factor that contributes to the weight gain in the midsection is the overproduction of the male hormone, androgen.
Dr. Sherry Ross is an OB/GYN at Santa Monica, California, practicing at the Providence Saint John’s Health Center. Ross adds that aside from the weight fluctuations, the common symptoms of PCOS can include dark skin patches under the breasts, in the armpits, and the back of the neck. As such, it is best to have yourself checked first with your OB/GYN so you can rule this out before getting back to your weight loss regimen.
Depression and its link to weight gain
Emotional eating is a well-observed phenomenon for those who have gained weight and are making efforts to lose them. The thing is that, mood and food always go together. On one hand, you could be looking for comfort in a jar of chocolate chip cookies or a pint of pistachio ice cream every time you feel down. And on the other, you could be feeling so stressed out that you can’t even bring yourself to eat a single meal. Your relationship with food often has an emotional connection to it. Meanwhile, it is but normal for you to respond to difficult emotions by overeating or eating too little. However, if you have been diagnosed with clinical depression, it is most likely than not that the changes in your attitude towards food is going to be long-term that it can lead to sudden drops or increments in your weight as well.
Furthermore, the link between weight and depression can go both ways. If you are depressed, it is more likely that you can be obese. And obese people are also the ones who are bound to suffer from a higher risk of clinical depression. Also worth mentioning is the fact that depression is likewise linked to eating disorders which ultimately impacts weight. You see, the biochemical changes that result in depression have effects on your food consumption as well and eventually, unintentional weight gain. It is important to note that a good number of depression medications classified as serotonin re-uptake inhibitors has weight gain listed as a side effect. Examples of these drugs are Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, and Celexa. Should you have an inkling that you may be suffering from depression or have already been diagnosed, ask your specialist for help specific to your weight loss goals.
Cortisol and Cushing Syndrome
One of the hormones that are produced naturally in the body is cortisol. Cortisol is known as the fight or flight hormone because it is typically released when you are under stress. During this mode, your regular body functions are paused temporarily and your metabolism is slowed down. Certainly, it plays a vital role in survival but in excess, it is can be harmful. Cortisol creates a sudden surge of energy in the body and increases appetite at the same time. Elevated levels of cortisol cause sweets, salty, and fatty food cravings over the healthier choices. Furthermore, chronic stress tends to cause an overproduction of cortisol that can contribute to your weight gain as well. Avoid getting distressed at all costs if you do not want the weight gain.
The more severe overproduction of cortisol however is likewise something that you need to check on. A rare disease called Cushing syndrome is caused by a pituitary gland tumor and is characterized by high amounts of cortisol in the body at abnormal levels. Cushing syndrome can cause easy bruising, abnormal facial hair, skin changes or acne, and unexplained weight gain. While it is rare, it is worth a trip to the doctor if these symptoms are present.
Hypothyroidism and weight gain
A more common condition that is affecting 5% of the population is called hypothyroidism. Most often than not, some people have it but cannot easily realize they already do. What happens in hypothyroidism is that the thyroid gland does not produce enough of the hormones needed for bodily systems such as in metabolism and weight. In fact, when doctors see that there is a significant loss or gain in weight within a particularly short time frame, then a thyroid disorder is one of the foremost considerations. When the gland is not producing hormones as it should, the symptoms can include stiff joints, feeling cold, mood swings, fatigue, and weight gain.
Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center endocrinologist, Dr. Benjamin O’Donnell clarifies that hypothyroidism tends to slow your metabolism and that is often what results in the change in weight. As individuals feel frustrated or stressed about it, it worsens the problem even more. As such, it is important to go to your annual check-up even if you are feeling generally well because there might be medical issues that need to be addressed that you are not currently aware of. Do so when you notice any sudden changes in your body especially in relation to your weight.
Some next steps to take
At the end of the day if the medical problems listed above are not a concern but you are still gaining weight then there could be other factors that are causing the change. For instance, bloating is typically caused by other potential issues from kidney disease, ovarian cancer, to irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, poor liver function, stress, and lack of sleep can also be factors. Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Michelle Ogunwole recommends that you make a list of your symptoms. Take special notice of any headaches, bloating, water retention, allergens, changes in food, energy levels and weight fluctuations.
As pointed out earlier, some medications can also have an effect on weight gain so it would be smart for you to write down both of your over-the-counter and prescription drugs. In the same way, you can do your own research and verify if weight gain is indeed a side effect of certain medicines that you are taking so you will understand the bodily changes better. This will also help as you go to your next doctor’s appointment because you can use all that information in helping your physician identify trends and narrow down the root cause. You will be able to take charge of your own wellness and become an active healthcare team member because you do have the most important role to play anyway.
