Excessive Weight Gain In A Short Period Of Time
General

Excessive Weight Gain In A Short Period Of Time – Causes & Treatment

Excessive weight gain in a short period of time can be due to an increase in muscle mass, body fluid, or fat. Excessively gaining weight in a short period of time is referred to as obesity. Activity helps you balance your weight so that you do not put on weight excessively.

Gaining weight due to growth or accumulation of fluid in tissues is dangerous. It may be a sign of Cushing’s Syndrome. The syndrome is a result of high levels of cortisol which is abnormal. The use of corticosteroids is a common cause. Corticosteroids may be found in prescription medication.

Sometimes, gaining weight is as a result of good feeding and nutrition. Such weight is great as long as it allows you to remain physically fit. Weight gain in pregnancy is not a medical threat. Gaining more than 1 kilogram per week is what is considered rapid weight gain.

What Causes Excessive Weight Gain in a Short Period of Time?

Excessive weight gain in a short period of time may be due to age and other factors. Your body’s metabolism gets slower with age. Corticosteroids, Diabetes drugs, Bipolar Disorder, Birth Control, and Medications for bipolar disorder may also be the cause of your gaining of weight.

Corticosteroids are also called Weight Gain Steroids. They are also found in prescription drugs treating some medical and mental conditions. Corticosteroids affect how your body handles fat. They also increase appetite. Oral and nasal steroids lead to ENT complications and infections. Corticosteroids have an ability to make you ravenous. If you are under medication that includes corticosteroids, watch what you eat. Carbohydrates will be easily converted to fat and stored in your body.

Gaining weight is noted in some areas of our bodies. Changes in the stomach, the neck, face, and other areas of the body indicate weight gain. Excessive weight gain in the stomach is usually the first sign of gaining weight.

Excessive Weight Gain In A Short Period Of Time May Be Due To The Following Reasons;

1. Your Thyroid is Out of Control

If your thyroid gland is unable to produce enough thyroid hormone, which is referred to as hypothyroidism, then weight gain is rather common and can be harmful to your health if it is not treated properly.

2. You Are Taking Birth Control

Birth control might lead to excessive weight gain depending on the brand, dosage, and hormonal levels. If you are taking the pill, it is even more likely to gain weight.

3. You Are Depressed

Depression can cause excessive weight gain. Depression could result due to potentially higher amounts of cortisol (a stress hormone), which could possibly lead to weight gain in patients.

4. You Have Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance can be both a cause and a consequence of weight gain.

What Happens If Excessive Weight Is Gained In A Short Period Of Time?

Excessive weight gain in a short period of time has an impact on your health. It increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and depression. Obesity might make your life a little harder since you find it tough engaging in physical activities. You will note that you are obese when activities that you easily engaged in are suddenly too tiresome for you.

Labored breathing upon physical exercise is a critical sign that you have a weight problem. The measure of physical fitness is often not how much you are able to do, but how fast you recover from the exertions of physical activities. The time taken to recover should be proportional to the amount of physical exertion you have had.

If you suspect that your rapid weight gain is due to illness or medical condition, consult a doctor. A medical professional should help you in such a case to identify the cause of your rapid weight gain. Additionally, a professional is handy in managing excessive weight gain.

How To Stop Weight Gain

There are various methods you can explore with a medical professional to address rapid weight gain. Losing weight helps you reduce the risk of developing some health problems. Regular exercise and proper diet help you manage excessive weight gain.

Technology is continually bettering medicine. Today, there are applications and software that help you lose weight easily. Explore some of these applications and software. The wearable technology works well with such software to help you when you have been gaining weight very fast. Smartphones are at the forefront of this development in improved physical fitness and healthy living.

It is best to lose weight gradually. A very sudden loss of weight may injure your health. The four main factors that influence excessive weight gain in a short period of time are your diet, medication, existing medical conditions, and how much energy you use in a day. Aim to shed between 350 and 750 grams per week.

Different foods have varying benefits in diet during your efforts to lose weight. Some foods may be working against your weight loss endeavors. Avoid fatty diets and base your loss of weight on sustainable changes. It is no use to lose weight and then gain it all back again later. Fruits, lean protein, vegetables, and whole grains are great for you when you have had excessive weight gain in a short period of time.

Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Sameer Kumar (MBBS, MS, FMAS, DMAS)Obstetrician & Gynecologist