Most people know the reason why the number on the scales has started to rise, as they might be eating more fatty, sugary foods and exercising less. However, if the pounds are piling up without reason, or cannot stop munching on food, a health condition could be to blame.
If you are scratching your head about why your waistline is getting bigger, read about the five conditions that could potentially be causing your weight gain.
- A Sleep Disorder
If you are living with a sleep disorder, such as insomnia, restless legs syndrome, or sleep apnoea, it could be contributing to your growing waistline. That’s because sleep deprivation can interfere with your body’s hormones that signal a feeling of both hunger and fullness. So, if you do not enjoy enough sleep, you are more likely to overeat. Plus, your activity levels will more than likely take a dip whenever you feel tired, so you will burn fewer calories.
- A Pain Disorder
Living with chronic pain cannot only impact your quality of life, but it could be responsible for your weight gain. For instance, if you are living with arthritis, fibromyalgia or sciatica, you might not be very active, and you might not sleep well.
Again, the lack of sleep could cause you to overeat and the inactivity will prevent you from burning calories. What’s more, you might be taking certain medications for nerve pain, which could be contributing to the increasing number on the scales. If this is the case, talk to your doctor about how you can lose the excess pounds.
- Menopause
Weight gain is a common symptom of menopause. Over time, a woman might realize that her diet and exercise routine can no longer effectively keep her weight in check. This is often due to hormonal changes in their body, which can cause sleep interruption.
Thankfully, there are ways to counteract hormonal imbalances caused by menopause. For example, a natural hormone from David Ghozland cannot only support weight loss, but it can reduce annoying hot flashes, irritability, night sweats, and more.
- Depression
People living with depression can experience weight gain for a number of reasons. For example, some people might turn to emotional eating, while others might become less active.
It is also possible that various antidepressant medications are causing unwanted weight gain. If you believe a medication could be responsible for your weight gain, consult your doctor to identify if you could switch to a drug that works in harmony with your body.
- Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is caused by low hormone levels produced by the thyroid gland, which manage the body’s metabolism. The condition can take years to develop, and it is much more common in women than men.
As the condition makes it difficult for the gland to manage a person’s metabolism effectively, it can lead to weight gain, as well as fatigue, depression, heightened sensitivity to cold temperatures, a disturbed menstrual cycle, and stiff muscles and joints. If you suspect you might be living with hypothyroidism, visit your doctor for a blood test.