Sudden Weight Gain Causes

If you have been physically inactive for one or more reasons, chances are high that you will see weight gain. The other possibility is, that you are not following your regular diet. However, if there is sudden weight gain without any change in physical activity or your eating habits, you will have to examine the sudden weight gain causes.

What Causes Sudden Weight Gain?
Very often we are so engrossed in our daily activities, that we neglect our bodies totally. We are totally detached from what the body is trying to tell you. If you want to find out sudden weight gain causes, you will have to slow down and listen to your body first. This will enable you to rule out any illness. There are many causes of sudden weight gain. Let's see what these are.

Medication
Medications prescribed for arthritis, asthma, etc. which contain steroids in any form, can lead to sudden weight gain. There are some medications that may affect your desire to exercise and lead to sudden weight gain. Diabetes medications, antidepressants or mood stabilizers are other medications that may contribute to weight gain. Here is information on depression medications that do not cause weight gain. If you have noticed that after starting some prescription medication, you have gained weight suddenly, talk to your physician about it. He will be able to help you with the problem. Read more on antidepressants that do not cause weight gain.

Edema
Edema is also known as ‘fluid retention' and it happens when fluids build up in the body. Fluid retention can lead to rapid unexplained weight gain. There are many reasons that can cause fluid retention. Edema can be caused by serious health conditions like kidney diseases or heart failures. Common medicines like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines can also lead to water retention in the body. In the case of women, water retention may be a part of the premenstrual syndrome that they suffer from. Hence, in case you have your periods due, you may want to just relax.

Under-Active Thyroid Glands
Under working thyroid glands lead to what is called hypothyroidism. This is a condition when the thyroid glands do not produce a sufficient amount of the thyroid hormone. These thyroid hormones are necessary, as they help in regulating the metabolism in the body. When these hormones are short in supply, the calorie burning mechanism of the body is disturbed, causing sudden weight gain.

Quitting Addiction
If you are trying to do away with any of your addictions, chances are high, that this may be the sudden weight gain cause in your case. This may be happening because whenever you have the urge for your addictions, you may end up snacking instead. In all probabilities, these snacks are high in calories. Instead, whenever you feel like snacking, stick to low calorie food items. You can try eating a cucumber or a carrot, or something similar. At the same time, exercises will help you to fight the food cravings that you are currently suffering from.

Dietary Changes
Dietary changes is another common cause of sudden weight gain. Often people want to lose weight and go on various kinds of diets. For example, a high protein diet. In this diet, the person cuts down on carbohydrates and consumes high amount of proteins. However, this may not suit a particular person and may lead to sudden weight gain.

Pregnancy
Pregnancy is one of the common causes of sudden weight gain in women. If you have stopped birth control measures, this might be an option for you to rule out, to find the exact cause of your sudden, unwarranted weight gain.

Deficiency of Essential Fatty Acids
Some fatty acids are required in the body to produce certain hormones that are responsible for maintaining the metabolic rate of the body. Deficiency of these acids can lead to cravings and the person might end up eating high fat food.

Emotional Eating
There are people who counter stress or depression by eating excessively. Chances are high, that the person might not understand that he is stressed and is hence eating too much to divert his mind off it.

Imbalance of Blood Sugar Levels
Refined carbohydrates can cause high variations in the blood sugar level, leading to sugar cravings. This leads to a person resorting to more eating and it becomes a vicious cycle.

If any of the above mentioned sudden weight gain causes are not applicable in your case, then you may want to visit your health care professional at the earliest. Remember, regular exercise and healthy nutritious eating is the key to good health.