Sudden Weight Gain

Unintentional weight gain can occur when a person’s intake of calories is more than what the body needs or uses. The extra calories gets stored as fat in the body leading to an increase in the overall weight of the individual.

Another common reason why weight gain happens is that as we age, our metabolism slows down and the fat is not burned easily leading to weight gain. Weight gain can also be a significant symptom of several endocrine diseases such as Cushing's syndrome or hypothyroidism.

Certain kinds of weight gain occur with some conditions like a progressive weight gain with pregnancy and periodic weight gain with menstruation. These are considered normal. You should watch out for sudden, unexplained weight gain as this might be a symptom of a serious disorder.

Some of the common causes for a sudden increase in weight include:

• Overeating

• A sedentary lifestyle

• Eating a high-carbohydrate, high-calorie diet

• Emotional issues such as guilt, depression, and anxiety leading to stress

• Slower metabolism - as you age, you lose muscle mass. Muscle is the metabolically active tissue that uses energy and your body will store the excess as fat.

• Giving up smoking

• Heavy, regular alcohol consumption

• Hypothyroidism

• Endocrine disorders such as Cushing's syndrome or polycystic ovary syndrome

• Certain drugs like corticosteroids, cyproheptadine, tranquilizers, and tricyclic antidepressants

• Medications that increase fluid retention and cause edema

If you notice that you are gaining weight suddenly, you should consult with a health care provider to find out the underlying causes. Usually, lifestyle change with an appropriate diet and exercise program and setting realistic weight loss goals will treat the problem. But remember, once you have made a lifestyle change, you will have to stick with it. Your healthcare provider will run a few diagnostic tests to ascertain the cause of your weight gains. The tests will include:

• Nutritional assessment

• Blood tests including chemistry profile

• Measurement of hormone levels to check for endocrine disorder

Diet and exercise are the first options for controlling your weight. But depending on the causes of the weight gain, your doctor may advise:

• Psychological counseling for weight gain caused by emotional problems

• Other treatment options like medications and surgery if weight continues to be a problem despite diet and exercise

• Treatment for any disease that may be the underlying cause of the weight gain

• Weight-training to boost your metabolism and increase muscle mass

Some kinds of weight gain may signal a severe disorder. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice any of these symptoms:

• Change in your vision along with the weight gain

• Cold sensitivity, constipation, and hair loss

• Swollen feet

• Shortness of breath

• Uncontrollable hunger accompanied by palpitations, tremor, and sweating

• Excessive weight gain despite eating less and exercising