7 causes of sudden weight gain

PCOS, is a hormonal disorder that affects individuals with ovaries. It can cause missed or irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, acne, excess hair growth, and weight gain. PCOSdisrupts hormonal balance in your body and causes changes in metabolism, which leads to insulin resistance, promotes fat storage, and increases hunger. This can result in higher body mass index and difficulty losing weight. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

Stress, both acute and chronic, can lead to sudden weight gain. When you're stressed, your body produces cortisol, a stress hormone that can lead to increased appetite and cravingsfor high-calorie comfort foods. Apart from stress, you may also experience symptoms such as sleep problems, fatigue, breathing issues, indigestion, muscle aches, headaches, etc. Unfortunately, all these symptoms can also promote weight gain. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

Hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones, can cause sudden weight gain. Thyroid hormones play a vital role in regulating metabolism. When they are insufficient, your metabolic rate decreases, leading to weight gain. Other symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, cold intolerance, and hair loss. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

Menopause is a natural part of ageing process in women. This is often linked with weight gain because during menopause hormonal imbalance, especially a decrease in estrogen levels,is common. This can cause weight gain, particularly, around the abdomen. This sudden weight gain is not only frustrating but it can also increase the risk of heart diseases. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

Sleep is crucial for maintaining a healthy body weight. A consistent lack of sleep can disrupt your body's hormonal balance, particularly hormones that regulate appetite and metabolism. Ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates hunger, increases when you're sleep-deprived, while leptin, the hormone that signals fullness, decreases. This imbalance can lead to overeating and weight gain over time. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

Certain medications, such as antidepressants and steroids, can contribute to sudden weight gain. Antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), canlead to increased appetite and a reduced ability to feel full, which can result in overeating and weight gain. Steroids, on the other hand, can cause fluid retention and an increase in body fat. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

Cushing's syndrome is a rare condition caused by the overproduction of cortisol, a hormone that regulates various bodily functions, including metabolism and immune response. When cortisol levels are excessively high, it can lead to significant weight gain, especially in the face, neck, and abdomen. Other symptoms of Cushing's syndrome include thinning skin, easy bruising, and muscle weakness. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock