Can’t Lose Weight? Medical Conditions That Can Cause Weight Loss Resistance

Are you having trouble losing stubborn weight? We all hop on the scales when our favorite dress does not fit us anymore, or we have to hide the fat ball on our tummy with a cushion in the party, or maybe when we visit the doctor. Most importantly, we check our weight before an event…before attending someone’s birthday or wedding. And when it is your big day, you want to hide all those small fatty marshmallows poking out from here and there on your body.

Even after eating portion sizes, skipping all the cheat days, working out seven days in the gym, and worse, bearing all the weight loss suggestions by everyone around, you may still not succeed in shedding a pound. Why does this happen? If you are following a healthy routine, chances are you may have an underlying medical condition that is resisting weight loss.

Medical science suggests that if you have an underlying health condition, you should treat it first, because obesity and inability to lose weight can be the symptoms of a medical condition, not the real problem. The following are the common medical conditions that prevent weight loss.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

At least 5 million American women suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and many women have not been diagnosed yet. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is usually caused due to hormonal imbalance, which may be triggered by unhealthy lifestyle or any other underlying medical condition.

An excerpt from the research published by Lisa J Moran et al suggests:

“Dietary weight loss is recommended as the primary treatment strategy; however, effective means of achieving and maintaining weight loss and reproductive and metabolic improvements are unknown. Lifestyle modification programmes with an emphasis on behavioural management and dietary and exercise interventions have been successful in the general population in reducing the risk of diabetes and the metabolic syndrome, and have had some initial success in improving fertility outcomes in PCOS.”

Symptoms

Excessive facial hair
Irregular menstrual cycle
Excessive hair fall
Difficulty getting pregnant
Clogged skin pores or acne
Unexplainable weight gain

Hypothyroidism

The thyroid, the organ that regulates metabolic and hormonal functions in the body releases two hormones in the blood. Hypothyroidism is a medical condition when the thyroid produces insufficient hormones. Hypothyroidism is often left untreated as its diagnosis is deceived by symptoms that link to other medical conditions as well. There are more than 3000 symptoms that link to hypothyroidism.

Symptoms

Irregular menstrual cycle
Excessive hair fall
Difficulty getting pregnant
Unexplainable weight gain
Fatigue and exhaustion
Constipation
Thick tongue

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is one of the leading causes of obesity. It is a condition when the human body stops responding to its natural system of sugar regulation. It is becoming more common among teenagers and children. According to the medical doctors, sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, and an unhealthy diet rich in processed and refined foods is one of the major concerns in Type 2 Diabetes patients.

Symptoms

Frequent urination
Dry mouth
Unexplainable weight gain
Blurred vision
Fatigue
Headaches
Increased hunger
Increased thirst

Cardiovascular Disease

According to the American Heart Association, heart diseases that involve heart and blood vessels are categorized as cardiovascular diseases. The regular blood flow is interrupted in these diseases, leading to poor blood supply to other parts of the body. Heart attack, heart stroke, and heart failure are the worst stages of cardiovascular diseases.

Symptoms

High blood pressure
Obesity
Increased cholesterol and lipid
Chest pain or chest discomfort
Pain, numbness or coldness in the legs
Pain in upper abdomen or back

Cushing’s Syndrome

When the adrenal glands produce excessive cortisol, fat accumulation starts in the body. The abnormally high cortisol levels in the body are identified as Cushing’s Syndrome. The disease is more common among women than men. It may occur as early as 25 years of age. A majority of the cases of Cushing’s Syndrome are curable.

Symptoms

Obesity
Fatty deposits in the midsection, neck and around face
Purple stretch marks on thighs, abdomen, arms and breasts
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Thinning skin
Acne
Bone loss
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Depression
Cognitive problems

Hyperinsulinemia

Insulin resistance is a primary cause of Hyperinsulinemia. The disease is often linked to Type 2 Diabetes, but it is not diabetic in nature. Hyperinsulinemia is a condition in which, the pancreas is required to secrete excessive insulin to balance the blood sugar. Among many causes, the development of a tumor in the pancreas is becoming more common with time.

Symptoms

Sugar cravings
Weight gain
Anxiety
Difficulty concentrating
Intense hunger
Fatigue
Lack of motivation or focus

Depression/Stress

Depression is common and serious, but is often an overlooked psychological disorder that directly affects various cognitive and behavioral patterns, such as the way you think, perceive, make decisions, and daily activities including sleeping and eating.

Depression has various categories including persistent depressive disorder, psychotic depression, perinatal depression, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder. Depression and stress have been directly linked to disruptive mood and mood-triggered eating disorders, which may lead to obesity. On the other hand, depression and stress cause hormonal imbalance, which may cause obesity.

Symptoms

Feelings of guilt, helplessness, and worthlessness
Pessimism
Difficulty concentrating
Weight changes
Loss of interest
Weight gain
Suicidal thoughts or attempts
Digestive problems
Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
Digestive disorders
Headaches or cramps

Besides these common diseases that are linked to obesity, there could be other underlying medical conditions linked to your unexplainable weight gain. Therefore, it is ideal to contact your medical doctor for a thorough checkup. If you have done that already and are frustrated because you still don’t have any answers , feel free to call us and find out what your DNA Uprint reveals about you.