What is weight gain?
Some types of weight gain are related to a natural process rather than a disease. For example, it is normal (and even necessary) to gain some weight during pregnancy, and weight gain accompanies normal growth in children. However, unplanned or unintended weight gain may become problematic and should be addressed. In most cases, taking more calories into the body than your body can use causes unintended weight gain. When you reach middle and older ages, weight gain is a common symptom as your metabolism slows, unless this is countered by conscientiously eating less than you did when you were younger as well as getting adequate exercise to burn the excess calories you consume.
By the same token, weight gain can also be a symptom of a number of disorders affecting any of several body systems, including the endocrine, cardiac, urinary, neurologic, and respiratory systems. In particular, weight gain that is sudden and rapid can be a sign of dangerous levels of fluid retention by the body due to heart or kidney disease. In addition to a variety of diseases, certain drugs can also cause weight gain. Examples of these include certain antidepressants, corticosteroids, lithium, tranquilizers, phenothiazines, and drugs that increase fluid retention.
Because most weight gain is a symptom of caloric intake exceeding caloric need, it is important for you to get in the habit of paying attention to proper nutrition, learning portion control, and developing a consistent but varied regimen of exercise.
Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you experience unintentional or rapid weight gain with swelling (edema) in the face, arms, legs, feet, ankles, or abdomen; seizures; severe headache; nausea and vomiting; shortness of breath; tremor; or rapid heart rate.
If your weight gain is persistent or causes you concern, seek prompt medical care.
What other symptoms might occur with weight gain?
Weight gain may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Symptoms that frequently affect the digestive tract may also involve other body systems.
Symptoms that may occur along with weight gain
Weight gain may accompany symptoms related to different body systems including:
- Abnormal menstrual cycle
- Constipation
- Difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Hair loss or abnormal hair development
- Malaise or lethargy
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in the face, abdomen or extremities
- Temperature sensitivity (especially to cold)
- Vision changes
Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition
In some cases, weight gain may be a symptom of a life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:
What causes weight gain?
Weight gain can be a natural result of fluctuations in hormonal processes, such as the menstrual cycle or pregnancy. However, most cases of unplanned or unintended weight gain are caused by taking in more calories than the body can use. Certain drugs can also cause weight gain, and unintended weight gain can be a symptom of a number of medical conditions or disorders. Weight gain that is sudden and rapid can be a sign of dangerous levels of fluid retention by the body.
Digestive causes of weight gain
Weight gain can be caused by digestive disorders including:
- Liver disease or failure
- Pancreatic islet cell tumor
Endocrine system or hormonal causes of weight gain
Weight gain may be caused by endocrine or hormonal causes including:
- Acromegaly (excess growth hormone in adults)
- Amenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, menstrual cycle effects
- Cushing’s syndrome (excess cortisol production in the body)
- Diabetes
- Growth hormone deficiency
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (autoimmune thyroid disease)
- Hypopituitarism (underactive pituitary gland)
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)
- Pituitary tumor
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (condition characterized by hormonal imbalance in women)
- Pregnancy
Medications that cause weight gain
A number of drugs or medications may result in weight gain including:
- Antiseizure drugs
- Birth control pills
- Certain antidepressants
- Corticosteroids
- Hypoglycemic agents for Type 2 diabetes
- Lithium
- Tranquilizers
Urinary causes of weight gain
Weight gain can also be caused by urinary disorders including:
- Kidney diseases that result in edema (swelling)
- Kidney failure
Psychological causes of weight gain
Weight gain can also be caused by psychological disorders including:
- Anxiety or extreme psychological stress
- Eating disorders (with hyperphagia or polyphagia)
- Overeating
- Smoking cessation
Serious or life-threatening causes of weight gain
In some cases, weight gain may be a symptom of a serious or life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. These include:
- Growth hormone deficiency
- Heart failure
- Kidney failure
- Liver failure
Questions for diagnosing the cause of weight gain
To diagnose your condition, your doctor or licensed health care practitioner will ask you several questions related to your weight gain including:
- How long have you been gaining weight?
- Has the weight gain been rapid or gradual?
- Do you feel anxious or under stress? Depressed?
- Have you noticed any changes in your appetite or your eating habits?
- Do you have any other symptoms?
- Do you drink alcohol or use street drugs?
- What medications are you taking?
Excessive weight gain is unhealthy regardless of cause. Because weight gain can be due to serious diseases, failure to seek treatment can result in serious complications and permanent damage. Once the underlying cause is diagnosed, it is important for you to follow the treatment plan that you and your health care professional design specifically for you to reduce the risk of potential complications including:
- Atherosclerosis
- Diabetes
- Heart failure
- Hypertension
- Kidney failure
- Liver failure
- Metabolic syndrome
- Obesity
- Osteoarthritis
- Secondary infections and sepsis
- Stroke
