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Reasons for Rapid Weight Gain

The National Institutes of Health report that an estimated 133.6 million Americans are overweight or obese, which is an alarming statistic. Some individuals can be slightly overweight or can be severely overweight, for a variety of reasons. Rapid weight gain is an alarming medical issue, which a person should seek help for immediately.

  1. Significance

    • Due to the proclivity of weight gain among Americans, packing on the extra pounds can be a health disaster for a person. According to MedicinePlus, obesity can result in an individual developing other serious health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. These health problems can cause a person to have a poorer quality of life, primarily due to the increased weight.

    Types

    • There are several reasons that a person can quickly gain weight, primarily due to either excess stress or a medical issue. Stress can be often lead to rapid weight gain, due to excessive emotional eating, raised hormones in the body and difficulty sleeping. Medical issues can lead to a person putting on excess pounds, especially those who suffer from hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome or those who take prescription medications for other ailments.

    Effects

    • The effects of rapid weight gain can be felt almost immediately by an individual. Clothes will begin to feel tighter, energy levels will decrease and a person's mood can shift. If the weight gain lasts for an extended period of time, then other health complications can arise, such as sleep apnea, diabetes and high blood pressure. An individual's personal life and relationships may suffer due to the weight gain, causing depression to eventually set in.

    Considerations

    • Not all rapid weight gain is abnormal. It is possible for your body to retain fluids or in women it could be a sign of pregnancy. Some people may put on excess weight because of poor eating habits and/or due to a sedentary lifestyle, says MedicinePlus. Rapid weight gain is not recommended for people, so visit a medical professional promptly.

    Prevention/Solution

    • The first step toward tackling the rapid weight gain problem is to see a doctor, recommends the New York Times. If a person has hypothyroidism or Cushing's syndrome, then medication can help a person fight the disease and reverse the weight loss. If stress is the culprit, then taking steps to unwind and get the proper amount of rest can help lower your stress level. For weight control, eating healthy meals and getting daily physical activity can help a person prevent rapid weight loss from happening.

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