Most people gain weight under course of time and this weight gain is normal and occurs in every person. This is normal in everyone but if the weight gain occurs in them without any clear reason then this could be a sign of underlying health conditions. When weight gain is not related to any health problems then there could be many causes for weight gain like eating more, menstrual cycle, perimenopause or menopause, metabolism slowing down with age, less physical activities, more water retention due to excess dehydration or excess salt, stress , depression , anxiety and lack of sleep. Any person if faces weight gain due to any causes other than the above mentioned causes then that person must consult a doctor.
There are certain medicines that cause people to gain weight rapidly. According to Obesity Action Coalition, some medicines can cause people to gain weight to several pounds a month due to side effects. Medications that cause people to gain weight rapidly are used to treat diseases like: seizures, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, depression and psychiatric disorders. It is essential not to stop medication without consulting a doctor.
Many researches have shown that lack of sleep can cause weight gain. Changes in sleep cycles can affect eating patterns, mood, causing people to overeat. Many researchers found sleep-deprived people ate more carbohydrates than were required to meet energy needs, which led to weight gain. Participants in this cycle also consumed more calories overall, especially after dinner.
Some people also gain weight when they initially stop smoking tobacco products. Experts believe that this occurs both because nicotine suppresses appetite and withdrawal symptoms lead to insomnia causing overeating. Research show that 1 kilogram (kg) is the average weight gain in the first month after quitting cigarettes. The majority of a person’s weight gain seems to occur during the first 3 months after quitting smoking, with the weight gain appear to slow down by the 6-month mark. Change in weight can be depending on the person. Over 13 percent lost weight and over 16 percent gained weight by 10 kg after quitting smoking.
People with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may find that they gain weight easily in their middle. PCOS causes the ovaries to produce abnormally high levels of sex hormones. Other symptoms of PCOS include: irregular periods, excess hair on the back, chest or abdomen, thinning hair or hair loss, acne and dark patches of skin around armpits, breasts or neck.
People gain weight in their life span and it is normal as they become old. But if the weight gain occurs due to the other reasons which are not clear then people must consul doctor to look after their health issues. There are many possible reasons behind the weight gain. These includes eating more, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) , menopause , less amount of physical activities, water retention due to dehydration or excess salt. These are the causes but if there other causes like medication, insomnia then people have to consult doctors and undertake medicines according to their consultation. There are also other causes like quitting smoking and this leads to weight gain. This causes overeating leading to weight gain and cause diseases. Lack of sleep also causes changes in the eating habits and causes weight gain. Irregular periods also cause to increase weight in the middle of the cycle. So these symptoms should be treated by the doctors to maintain weight gain.