Weight gain is a set of body mass, the extreme degree of which is called obesity. Most often, the symptom occurs with excessive calorie intake and a sedentary lifestyle. An increase in volumes is possible with endocrine diseases, age-related fluctuations in the production of sex hormones, and taking certain medications. To determine the possible cause of the disorder, somatometry, hormonal studies, ultrasound, X-ray and tomographic methods are used. To correct weight indicators, diet therapy and adequate physical activity are necessary.
When systematizing symptom options, regardless of its cause, the so-called body mass index (BMI, Quetelet index), defined as the ratio of weight (in kilograms) to height (in meters), squared, is taken into account. Normally, the indicator ranges from 18.5 to 24.99. Taking into account BMI, pathological weight gain manifests itself in such forms as:
In healthy people, the most common cause of weight gain is regularly consuming more calories than needed for a given height and activity level. The qualitative composition of food is in second place - extra pounds appear when you overeat both fats and carbohydrates, the excess of which also turns into lipids. The increase in weight occurs gradually, by 1-3 kg per month. A person notices that habitual clothes become tight, fat folds form in the hips, arms, and abdomen. A rapid or sharp increase in volume is an indication for a visit to the doctor.
Prolonged emotional stress can lead to the release of adrenal hormones, a change in metabolic processes, which is manifested by increased fat deposition. These causes are more likely to cause rapid weight gain in women who are more prone to mood swings. People who tend to "seize" their problems, with chronic stress, are able to recover by 5-6 kilograms per month. At the same time, the proportions of the body are preserved, the deposition of fat occurs according to gender: in women in the lower abdomen and on the hips, in men - in the torso. White stretch marks form on the skin, it becomes pale and pasty.
Hypodynamia causes weight gain even with normal calorie intake, while the qualitative composition of the body worsens - the percentage of body fat increases, the number of muscles decreases. Weight can increase by only a few kilograms, but the appearance suffers noticeably: the skin looks flabby, cellulite appears, fat folds appear on the abdomen, back, and in the armpit. Extra pounds are formed with a lack of sleep due to insomnia or improper organization of the regime, which is due to a slowdown in metabolism and sharp fluctuations in the level of leptin, which is responsible for the feeling of satiety.
In adolescent girls, the formation of ovarian function occurs, therefore, during puberty, excessive fullness is often noted, which disappears after the normalization of the menstrual cycle. A drop in the amount of estrogen, fluid retention are the key reasons for a sharp noticeable weight gain before menstruation in women, especially significant in the edematous form of premenstrual syndrome. The mass increases 2-3 days before the onset of menstruation due to water, after the onset of bleeding, the weight returns to normal. An increase in volume is also provoked by an increase in appetite in many women before critical days.
Weight gain is a characteristic sign of the onset of menopause. During this period, the production of estrogen in the female body rapidly decreases, as a result, the metabolic rate is disturbed and excess fat deposition occurs. Patients suddenly recover by 5-7 kg per month, large fat folds form in the abdomen and thighs, the body becomes loose and flabby. There is a variant of menopause in men, starting after 5 years, when the amount of testosterone decreases. This contributes to the accumulation of fat in the upper torso and abdomen.
With an increase in the level of ACTH in the body, hyperproduction of hormones of the adrenal cortex occurs with a change in metabolic processes towards the synthesis and deposition of fats. An increase in volume in Itsenko-Cushing's disease is detected mainly in the abdominal region, due to which the proportions of the body are violated: the abdominal circumference increases to 90-10 cm or more, the arms and legs seem thin compared to the torso. Crimson stretch marks form on the skin of the thighs and abdomen. In addition to visible symptoms, disturbances in the functioning of internal organs develop: myocardial damage, hypertension, osteoporosis.
With hypofunction of the thyroid gland, the synthesis of its hormones decreases, which causes a slowdown in metabolic processes and an increased deposition of lipids in the subcutaneous tissue. The formation of extra pounds is possible even with a moderate diet, weight gain is accompanied by other symptoms - constipation, coldness and pallor of the skin. To the visible signs of hypothyroidism as the cause of the accumulation of extra pounds, asymmetry and an increase in the neck are often added, which is due to the growth of thyroid tissue.
In schizophrenia, a rapid increase in volume is associated with a violation of the nervous regulation of hunger and satiety, so the patient can eat every half hour or hour and still remain hungry. With dementia and senile dementia, polyphagia (gluttony) is also observed, which contributes to the appearance of excess weight. Sometimes overweight becomes a consequence of bulimia nervosa, when a person absorbs food in large quantities, and then tries to clear the gastrointestinal tract in every possible way (by vomiting, taking laxatives). With bulimia, weight increases by no more than 3-5 kilograms.
Long-term use of corticosteroids and preparations of female sex hormones are important causes of sudden weight gain. Patients recover by 8-1 kg in a short time, side effects in the form of obesity are more pronounced when using the maximum dosages of drugs. In addition, due to a significant increase in appetite, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus overeat and gain excess weight when treated with sulfonylurea drugs. Weight gain can be provoked by the appointment of loop and thiazide diuretics, beta-blockers in hypertension.
When gaining weight for no apparent reason, patients turn to a general practitioner. The specialist collects a detailed history, conducts somatoscopy and measures body parameters. Then, basic laboratory tests and instrumental methods are performed to identify possible etiological factors for weight gain. According to the indications, consultations of narrow specialists are prescribed. The most informative are:
Somatometry
If the appearance of extra pounds is due to the abuse of high-calorie foods or a sedentary lifestyle, you can cope with this on your own or with the help of a nutritionist without medication. It is necessary to review the diet: the basis of the diet should be cereals and whole grains, fresh or stewed vegetables, lean meats and fish. The frequency of meals is 4-5 times a day. Be sure to increase physical activity, while overwork should not be allowed. Rapid weight gain for no reason is the basis for seeking the advice of a specialist.
Specific drugs for the treatment of weight gain are indicated only in advanced stages, when it is impossible to achieve results with diet therapy and exercise. These drugs have many side effects, so they are used under the constant supervision of a doctor. After establishing the disease that caused obesity, etiotropic therapy is prescribed. The most commonly used drugs are:
With large pituitary adenomas, their transnasal removal is performed. Neoplasms of the adrenal cortex require unilateral adrenalectomy. In case of detection of large ovarian cysts, a laparotomic or laparoscopic oophorectomy is performed. Hypothyroidism with the formation of a large goiter that makes breathing difficult is an indication for subtotal resection of the thyroid gland.