A bariatric surgeon explains what health problems sudden weight gain indicates
Vladislav Sychev November 29, 2023, 15:45 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
We talk about diseases that lead to obesity.
bariatric surgeon, Federal Research Center of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia
“The appearance of excess weight in a person in the absence of errors in nutrition and bad habits, as well as in the presence of a normal level of daily activity, in most cases is due to a disturbance in the functioning of organs or internal systems. This obesity is called secondary and is considered a complication that occurs in the context of the underlying disease.”
Causes of obesity
The appearance of excess weight may be due to:
excessive secretion of adrenal hormones (mainly cortisol), caused by Itsenko-Cushing disease; hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex; tumor of the adrenal cortex; mental or neurological disorders; frequent alcohol poisoning; taking glucocorticosteroids.
Excess cortisol
Cortisol, like thyroid-stimulating hormones, is involved in lipid metabolism. Under its influence, the number and size of adipose tissue cells increases and the sensitivity of the tissue to insulin decreases.
When there is an excessive concentration of cortisol in the body, excess fat is deposited mainly in the abdomen, chest and neck, while the lower and upper extremities become thinner.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Diabetes
Another reason for excess weight is insulin resistance. The hormone insulin is produced by pancreatic cells and performs a transport function: it transfers glucose and other nutrients from the blood to the cells. In this case, sugar stops being transported to the cells and begins to accumulate in the body, causing chronic hyperglycemia (a sustained increase in blood sugar levels).
With this condition, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) develops, which is characterized by excess weight. Associated symptoms of the disease include the following symptoms:
frequent urination; insatiable thirst; dry mouth; reproductive disorders; increased fatigue; slow wound healing; skin itch.
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thyroid dysfunction
One of the reasons for the development of secondary obesity is dysfunction of the thyroid gland. It is responsible for the secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormones that regulate metabolism. With insufficient production of hormones, hypothyroidism develops, in which the metabolism slows down, leading to excess weight and other symptoms, for example, increased fatigue, apathy, distractibility, decreased libido and muscle weakness.
When sex hormones fluctuate in women, for example during menopause, the likelihood of developing obesity also increases. This is due to a rapid decrease in estrogen production, which causes a slowdown in metabolism. Some gynecological diseases can cause obesity in women of reproductive age.
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Therefore, with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the balance of estrogen and testosterone in the body is disturbed, against which insulin resistance often develops and, as a result, abdominal obesity appears over time.
In men over 50, testosterone production also slows down, which also contributes to the accumulation of excess fat in the abdominal area and upper torso.
How to prevent
Regular preventive exams will help prevent the development of these conditions. Each person, in the absence of complaints, should undergo preventive diagnosis at least once a year and, if alarming symptoms appear, do not postpone visiting a specialist. It is important to understand that early diagnosis is the key to quick and successful treatment of any disease.
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How to determine the cause of excess weight based on the shape of your belly? the doctor answers
If a factor causing obesity is identified, the underlying disease should be treated as soon as possible and not forget to correct excess weight. Obesity resulting from a certain pathology can lead to the development of other complications, for example, cardiovascular diseases.
Therefore, it is necessary to monitor your body mass index (BMI) and make efforts to bring your weight back to normal. If specialized nutrition and exercise do not help to cope with obesity, it is recommended to contact a bariatric surgeon to resort to medication or surgery.
Photo: istockphoto.com
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