During your lifetime you may experience mild weight fluctuations. It is also totally normal to gain several pounds as you become older because your metabolism slows down. You may gain weight because of changes in your diet, reduced levels of physical activity, menstrual cycle, and other factors. In this case, the weight increases gradually. But when you experience rapid and unexplained weight gain, this can signal serious underlying health problems.
Below are 7 underlying health conditions that can contribute to rapid and unexplained weight gain.
1. Kidney problems
Sudden weight gain or severe body swelling can be a warning sign of kidney problems, including kidney failure or nephrotic syndrome. When your kidneys fail to function properly, they cannot remove waste and excess fluid from your body. As a result, your body retains fluid, causing you to gain excessive pounds. Because of kidney problems, you may experience fluid accumulation in your legs, ankles, or feet. You may also experience fatigue, muscle cramps, headaches, etc.
Kidney problems require medical help and should be treated as fast as possible to prevent serious health problems. If you suspect you have kidney problems, be sure to contact your doctor.
2. Medication
Several medications can cause rapid weight gain as a side effect. While some of them cause fluid retention, adding you several pounds, others can increase your appetite or worsen your metabolism. Medications that commonly cause weight gain include antidepressants, beta-blockers, steroids, antihistamines, diabetes medications, and high blood pressure medications.
If you think medications cause rapid weight gain, don’t stop taking them! Before reducing the dose or switching to other medications, it is crucial to consult your doctor.
3. Cushing’s syndrome
Cushing’s syndrome is a condition that occurs when your body produces too much of the stress hormone cortisol. This condition rarely develops without the influence of external factors. Taking some steroid medications used to treat asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune conditions can lead to the development of Cushing’s syndrome. Because of this condition, you can gain weight in your abdomen, neck, face, and upper back, while your legs and arms remain thin.
4. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a health condition that occurs when your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones. This can slow down your metabolism significantly and cause rapid weight gain. Because hypothyroidism affects the kidneys, you may experience swelling that also adds weight. Other symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, cold limbs, skin dryness, constipation, and muscle aches.
5. Insomnia
Surprisingly, insomnia can cause rapid weight gain. A disrupted sleep regimen can result in changes in your dietary habits and increased appetite (to compensate for the energy that you don’t get during the night’s sleep), resulting in excessive calorie intake. Besides, insomnia slows down your metabolism, making you even more likely to gain excessive weight. Getting a high-quality and regular night’s sleep can help you lose weight and improve overall well-being.
6. Polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a female gynecological condition that often contributes to weight gain. This condition causes your ovaries to produce extremely high levels of male sex hormones. Along with weight gain, you may experience symptoms like irregular periods, excessive hair growth within the body, and acne. While there is no cure for PCOS, your doctor can prescribe medications to help you manage the symptoms.
7. Perimenopause
Perimenopause is a period of time right before menopause. This period may start as early as in your 30s. Perimenopause can wreak havoc on the levels of hormones in your body and cause estrogen fluctuations. For some women, fluctuations of estrogen can result in rapid weight gain. The symptoms of perimenopause include mood swings, changes in your libido, and irregular periods. Your doctor can prescribe you medications to prevent hormonal fluctuations.
If you experience significant weight gain, you may consider visiting a weight loss clinic to help you lose excess pounds.
