Medical Conditions That Cause Weight Gain

There are a number of conditions that can cause a person to gain weight, and I would imagine that most people reading this are aware of many of them.

The standard explanation for weight gain is this: If we consume more calories on a daily basis than we burn, we will gain weight. True enough, although this is more an explanation than a cause.

Our emotional state and habitual behaviors lend to weight gain. Our lifestyles of remote controls, elevators, and automobiles contribute to weight gain. Genetics is a factor, as are the general eating and exercise habits of one’s family and friends as a whole.

Low self-esteem can lead to weight gain, so, too, can emotional conditions such as anxiety, stress, and depression. Trauma is another cause, and alcohol consumption yet another. 

Perhaps less known is the fact that specific medical conditions also can cause weight gain.

Diseases That Cause Weight Gain

There is a battery of illnesses that can cause weight gain. If you are adhering to a good and healthy diet and engaged in a program of exercise but still gaining weight, you may want to consider these possibilities. Of course, the most logical decision is to consult a physician.

Thyroid Disease

The thyroid is a gland that is located at the front of the neck that makes thyroid hormone. The most important function of the thyroid is determining how quickly food and nutrients are metabolized.

Those people who have thyroid disease can experience symptoms of  fatigue, anxiety, and weight gain. The most common of thyroid conditions is an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism can be the cause of weight gain of up to ten pounds because fat is being stored instead of being burned for energy production. The face may appear bloated as well as underneath the eyes due to water retention.  

Cushing’s Syndrome

Cushing’s Syndrome is a disease that occurs when the tissues of the body have abnormally high levels of cortical that accumulate as fat deposits in the abdomen.

Weight gain is in the upper back, abdomen, and face. Characteristic of this disease is a “moon-faced” appearance.

Heart, Kidney or Liver Disease

Heart disease, kidney disease and liver disease also can promote weight gain due to the fluid retention associated with each.

Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts or polycystic ovary syndrome can be responsible for a weight gain of up to thirty pounds over the course of years. The gain can often register undetected because effete gradual pace. The root of this particular disease seems to be genetic.

Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency

While not a disease, a condition of Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) deficiency can lead to weight gain over time. Essential fatty acids are needed by the body to make hormones and maintain the metabolic rate. A deficiency of these acids causes cravings, particularly for fatty foods. Symptoms of this deficiency are dandruff, dry hair, and dry skin.