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Nov 13, 2023 · Summary. Unexplained weight gain and fatigue are common symptoms of many underlying health conditions. They can be caused by hormones, sleep problems, mental health issues, and other health concerns. Medications can also cause weight gain and fatigue. Dealing with unexplained weight gain and fatigue can be difficult.
- Antihistamines
The cause of the weight gain is unknown. Some experts...
- Hormonal Weight Gain
Conditions That May Cause Hormonal Weight Gain . The...
- Lack of Sleep
Those women who slept 6 hours per night were still 12% more...
- PCOS
Femara is commonly used to treat PCOS-related infertility...
- Birth Control Pills
PCOS can lead to symptoms like unwanted hair growth on the...
- Menopause and Insomnia Medications
Treat any underlying causes of your sleep problems. If...
- Obesity
Sleep . The quality and duration of sleep also appears to...
- High Cholesterol
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol moves fat cells...
- Antihistamines
- Overview
- 1. Medication
- 2. Insomnia
- 3. Quitting smoking
- 4. Polycystic ovary syndrome
- 5. Heart failure
- 6. Kidney problems
- 7. Cirrhosis
- 8. Thyroid disorder
- 9. Cushing’s syndrome
Rapid weight gain may be caused by lifestyle changes like quitting smoking. However, it may also indicate an underlying medical condition, such as kidney disease, insomnia, and cirrhosis.
Many people experience short-term weight fluctuations of 1–2 kilograms (kg) within a 3-day period, which may be caused by lifestyle or dietary changes.
However, rapid weight gain may also be a sign of several underlying health conditions that require medical treatment.
This article discusses 11 possible causes of rapid weight gain and other accompanying symptoms to look out for.
Certain types of medications may cause people to gain weight, including:
•antipsychotics
•antidepressants
•corticosteroids
•antihyperglycemics, such as for diabetes
•antihypertensives, such as for hypertension
Insomnia may contribute to weight gain in children, adolescents, and adults.
A lack of sleep may affect a person’s circadian rhythm, which may lead to weight gain by affecting their:
•appetite hormones
•energy needs and expenditure
•food choices
In a 2015 meta-analysis of 56,000 children, researchers found that those who got less than 10 hours of sleep were 76% more likely to have overweight or obesity, while each additional hour of sleep reduced the likelihood by 21%.
Some people may gain weight initially when they stop smoking tobacco products.
Nicotine, which is found in cigarettes and other tobacco products, may increase a person’s metabolism and reduce their appetite. When a person quits smoking, they may feel more hungry and eat more, causing weight gain.
A 2015 meta-analysis found that the average weight gain in the 5-year period following smoking cessation is 4.1 kg.
However, changes in weight as a result of quitting smoking vary depending on the person. Researchers from another study found that 65% of people who quit smoking maintained or gained less than 5% of their body weight.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine system disorder that affects people with ovaries in their reproductive years.
It is characterized by multiple hormonal abnormalities. People with PCOS typically also have insulin resistance, which may result in weight gain.
People with this condition have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol levels.
There is no cure for PCOS, but lifestyle and dietary changes like exercising regularly and eating a healthful diet may help a person lower their weight and improve insulin resistance.
Rapid weight gain or swelling in particular areas of the body (edema) can be due to fluid retention.
According to the American Heart Association, weight gain of more than 2–3 pounds (lb) over 24 hours or 5 lb in a week could be a sign of heart failure.
If blood is flowing slowly to and from the heart, it affects the function of other major organs in the body. As a result, fluid collects in the tissues, which may cause weight gain and swelling in the:
•stomach area
•ankles
•legs
Sudden weight gain or swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet may be a sign of kidney disease, such as kidney failure or nephrotic syndrome.
The kidneys are responsible for filtering out waste products and fluids from the body. If they are damaged, they may not properly excrete these and the body may retain fluid, resulting in weight gain.
Other symptoms that may indicate a kidney problem include:
•fatigue
•trouble sleeping
•dry, itchy skin
Cirrhosis is a progressive condition in which scar tissue replaces healthy tissue in the liver. This could cause abdominal fluid buildup (ascites), which may cause:
•weight gain
•breathing difficulties
•swollen ankles
•abdominal pain
•umbilical or inguinal hernias
Hypothyroidism is a condition where a person’s thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. This may affect many of the body’s functions, such as slowing down the metabolism.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
•weight gain
•constant fatigue
•feeling depressed
•feeling cold
Cushing’s syndrome occurs when the body produces too much cortisol, which is a hormone that enables the body to respond to stress.
It is rare for a person to develop Cushing’s syndrome without an external trigger. It is more commonly a side effect of taking glucocorticoids, which are drugs that are used to help treat conditions like:
•rheumatoid arthritis
•asthma
•systemic lupus erythematosus
Symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome may include:
Jan 16, 2024 · However, weight fluctuation is a natural part of life, and factors like age, decreased activity levels, loss of muscle mass, and a slower metabolism can all contribute to unexplained weight gain ...
- 2 min
- Prediabetes and Diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is a medical condition where the body may not produce enough insulin, or as in the case of type 2 diabetes, doesn’t utilize the insulin that already exists efficiently.
- Hypoglycemia. After eating, glucose will enter your bloodstream and make its way into the cells with the help of insulin. You may experience hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar levels, for many reasons, including not consuming adequate carbohydrates.
- Hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar levels, may occur when your body is unable to produce or use insulin efficiently or when glucose production and release into the bloodstream exceeds your body’s capacity to mobilize and metabolize it.
- Hyperthyroidism. Thyroid dysfunctions may have significant effects on body weight and appetite. The thyroid interacts with the hypothalamus and other endocrine centers through the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis to regulate food intake and energy output.
May 16, 2023 · These cravings can cause them to snack on unhealthful foods, which can lead to weight gain. Various methods, such as reducing stress and staying hydrated, can help people minimize their cravings.
Jun 10, 2020 · 1. Hypothyroidism. When a young woman walks into a doc’s office with unexplained weight gain, the thyroid is the first place most physicians will investigate, says Dr. Jampolis. And for good reason: A whopping one in eight women will develop a thyroid disorder in her life, according to the American Thyroid Association.
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Jan 18, 2022 · Here are 10 factors that are leading causes of weight gain, obesity and metabolic disease, many of which have nothing to do with willpower. 1. Genetics. Obesity has a strong genetic component ...
