Underlying Causes Behind Your Rapid Weight Gain
Even if you are physically active, it is normal to experience weight fluctuations as it is usually determined by the number of calories consumed versus the number of calories burned. Today, there are plenty of solutions available to help you stay fit and fab, such as slimming and cellulite treatments in Singapore to tackle your weight concerns.
However, if you have been gaining weight without changing your eating and exercise habits, this could signal to underlying health conditions that are behind why your weighing scale is going up and down.
Here are some possible causes of rapid weight gain:
1. Hormonal imbalance
About 7-10% of pre-menopausal women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are unaware that their weight gain is because of this undiagnosed health condition.
PCOS is a common hormonal condition that causes the ovaries to overproduce male hormones known as androgen, including testosterone. Due to the imbalance of hormones, high levels of insulin are also produced from the pancreas. Insulin helps to helps convert sugar into energy and maintain a normal blood sugar level. Because of this condition, sugar builds up in the bloodstream and causes unwanted weight gain.
Other common symptoms of PCOS aside from weight gain include irregular menstrual periods or none at all for a long time, excess hair that appears on the face or other body parts, acne, and fertility problems.
2. Certain medications
Are you taking regular medication? There is a possibility your medicine can be causing you to gain weight. It is a common side effect for certain drug medications such as anti-depressants, mood stabilisers, and antiepileptic/seizure medication. These drugs can affect your metabolism and appetite, which makes weight fluctuation a struggle to deal with.
3. Steroid treatment
Corticosteroids or steroids are often used to treat a variety of conditions like asthma and arthritis. However, long-term use of corticosteroids tablets can have an effect on your appetite, cause fluid retention and change how the body deposits fat. You may experience an increased desire to eat more, leading to weight gain. Many people who are on steroids also notice a significant increase of fat in their abdomen, face and neck.
Generally, the higher the dose or the longer you are on steroids, the more likely you might gain extra kilos. But once the medication stops, your body and weight will readjust, which generally happens within 6 months to a year.
4. Thyroid illness
Women are more prone to facing a thyroid disorder as compared to men. The thyroid gland is essential for producing thyroid hormones that help in maintaining the body metabolism. One such disorder that can arise is hypothyroidism, where your thyroid gland is not producing enough thyroid hormones, thus slowing down metabolism. Weight gain is, in fact, one of the most common symptoms of this condition.
Other symptoms of hypothyroidism are constipation, muscle weakness, dry skin, irregular or heavier menstrual periods, increased sensitivity to cold, depression and slowed heart rate.
5. Kidney problems
Sudden weight gain could also be a symptom of kidney disease called nephrotic syndrome. It is a kidney complication that causes your body to excrete more protein in your urine. The condition occurs when blood vessels in the kidneys are damaged which causes the filtering function to stop working, affecting the process of eliminating waste and fluids from the blood. This can increase the risk of infections and blood clots.
Different signs and symptoms that could imply a problem with the kidneys are fatigue, swelling (edema), foamy urine, loss of appetite and weight gain due to excess fluid retention.
Consult a healthcare professional if you have serious concerns regarding your weight or are displaying symptoms that may be a sign of an underlying health condition. However, if your weight fluctuations daily or even weekly between 1 to 2 kg, it is a normal occurrence. Continue to eat a healthy and balanced diet and engage in exercises to maintain your weight. You can also look for an effective slimming treatment to complement your efforts in losing the extra weight.