BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuWeight gain – unintentionalUnintentional weight gain is when you gain weight without trying to do so and you are not eating or drinking more. Causes Gaining weight when you are not trying to do so can have many causes. Metabolism slows down as you age. This can cause weight gain if you eat too much, eat the wrong foods, or do not get enough exercise.AgeYour body shape changes naturally as you age. You cannot avoid some of these changes, but your lifestyle choices may slow or speed the process. The ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Drugs that can cause weight gain include: Birth control pills Corticosteroids Some drugs used to treat bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression Some drugs used to treat diabetesHormone changes or medical problems can also cause unintentional weight gain. This may be due to:Cushing syndrome Underactive thyroid, or low thyroid (hypothyroidism) Polycystic ovary syndrome Menopause PregnancyBloating, or swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the tissues can cause weight gain. This may be due to menstruation, heart or kidney failure, preeclampsia, or medicines you take. A rapid weight gain may be a sign of dangerous fluid retention.Buildup of fluid in the tissuesSwelling is the enlargement of organs, skin, or other body parts. It is caused by a buildup of fluid in the tissues. The extra fluid can lead to a ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article If you quit smoking, you might gain weight. Most people who quit smoking gain 4 to 10 pounds (2 to 4.5 kilograms) in the first 6 months after quitting. Some gain as much as 25 to 30 pounds (11 to 14 kilograms). This weight gain is not simply due to eating more. Home Care A healthy diet and exercise program can help you manage your weight. Talk to your health care provider or a dietitian about how to make a healthy eating plan and set realistic weight goals. Diet and exercise programAn active lifestyle and exercise routine, along with eating healthy foods, is the best way to lose weight.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Do not stop any medicines that may be causing the weight gain without talking with your provider. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have the following symptoms with the weight gain: Constipation ConstipationConstipation is when you do not pass stool as often as you normally do. Your stool may become hard and dry, and it can be difficult to pass....Read Article Now Book Mark Article Excessive weight gain without a known cause Hair loss Hair lossPartial or complete loss of hair is called alopecia.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Feel cold more often than before Swollen feet and shortness of breath Shortness of breathBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Uncontrollable hunger accompanied by palpitations, tremor, and sweating HungerIncreased appetite means you have an excess desire for food.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article PalpitationsPalpitations are feelings or sensations that your heart is pounding or racing. They can be felt in your chest, throat, or neck. You may:Have an unpl...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article SweatingSweating is the release of liquid from the body's sweat glands. This liquid contains salt. This process is also called perspiration. Sweating helps...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vision changes What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will perform a physical exam and calculate your body mass index (BMI). The provider may also ask questions, such as:Body mass index (BMI)A good way to decide if your weight is healthy for your height is to figure out your body mass index (BMI). You and your health care provider can us...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How much weight have you gained? Did you gain the weight quickly or slowly? Are you anxious, depressed, or under stress? Do you have a history of depression? What medicines do you take? What other symptoms do you have?You may have the following tests:Blood tests Tests to measure hormone levels Nutritional assessment Your provider may suggest a diet and exercise program or refer you to a dietitian. Weight gain caused by stress or feeling sad may require counseling. If weight gain is caused by a physical illness, treatment (if there is any) for the underlying cause will be prescribed.Open ReferencesReferencesJensen MD, Bessesen DH. Obesity. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 201.Kumar RB, Aronne LJ. Obesity. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 7.Maratos-Flier E. Obesity. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 40.AllVideoImagesTogAerobic exercise - illustration Aerobic exercise gets the heart working to pump blood through the heart more quickly and with more force than normal. As blood is pumped faster, it must be oxygenated more quickly, which quickens respiration. Aerobic exercise strengthens the heart and boosts healthy cholesterol levels. Low impact aerobics include walking and swimming. Running, tennis and dance are high impact aerobics.Aerobic exerciseillustrationIsometric exercise - illustration Isometric exercise works muscles and strengthens bone. Increased muscle mass elevates metabolism, which in turn burns fat. Strength training is also called anaerobic exercise, as opposed to aerobic, because increased oxygen production is not required.Isometric exerciseillustrationCalories and fat per serving - illustration Calories are the basic unit of energy within food. When you eat, your body converts calories into energy. The body uses what it can and stores the rest in the form of fat. A calorie is a calorie, whether it comes from a brownie or a serving of raw broccoli. The difference between them is the number of calories, nutrients, fat, and other ingredients in a typical serving.Calories and fat per servingillustrationAerobic exercise - illustration Aerobic exercise gets the heart working to pump blood through the heart more quickly and with more force than normal. As blood is pumped faster, it must be oxygenated more quickly, which quickens respiration. Aerobic exercise strengthens the heart and boosts healthy cholesterol levels. Low impact aerobics include walking and swimming. Running, tennis and dance are high impact aerobics.Aerobic exerciseillustrationIsometric exercise - illustration Isometric exercise works muscles and strengthens bone. Increased muscle mass elevates metabolism, which in turn burns fat. Strength training is also called anaerobic exercise, as opposed to aerobic, because increased oxygen production is not required.Isometric exerciseillustrationCalories and fat per serving - illustration Calories are the basic unit of energy within food. When you eat, your body converts calories into energy. The body uses what it can and stores the rest in the form of fat. A calorie is a calorie, whether it comes from a brownie or a serving of raw broccoli. The difference between them is the number of calories, nutrients, fat, and other ingredients in a typical serving.Calories and fat per servingillustrationRelated Information Overweight(Symptoms)Metabolism(Special Topic)Endocrine glands(Special Topic)Weight control and diet - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 7/8/2023 Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. 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Weight gain – unintentionalUnintentional weight gain is when you gain weight without trying to do so and you are not eating or drinking more. Causes Gaining weight when you are not trying to do so can have many causes. Metabolism slows down as you age. This can cause weight gain if you eat too much, eat the wrong foods, or do not get enough exercise.AgeYour body shape changes naturally as you age. You cannot avoid some of these changes, but your lifestyle choices may slow or speed the process. The ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Drugs that can cause weight gain include: Birth control pills Corticosteroids Some drugs used to treat bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression Some drugs used to treat diabetesHormone changes or medical problems can also cause unintentional weight gain. This may be due to:Cushing syndrome Underactive thyroid, or low thyroid (hypothyroidism) Polycystic ovary syndrome Menopause PregnancyBloating, or swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the tissues can cause weight gain. This may be due to menstruation, heart or kidney failure, preeclampsia, or medicines you take. A rapid weight gain may be a sign of dangerous fluid retention.Buildup of fluid in the tissuesSwelling is the enlargement of organs, skin, or other body parts. It is caused by a buildup of fluid in the tissues. The extra fluid can lead to a ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article If you quit smoking, you might gain weight. Most people who quit smoking gain 4 to 10 pounds (2 to 4.5 kilograms) in the first 6 months after quitting. Some gain as much as 25 to 30 pounds (11 to 14 kilograms). This weight gain is not simply due to eating more. Home Care A healthy diet and exercise program can help you manage your weight. Talk to your health care provider or a dietitian about how to make a healthy eating plan and set realistic weight goals. Diet and exercise programAn active lifestyle and exercise routine, along with eating healthy foods, is the best way to lose weight.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Do not stop any medicines that may be causing the weight gain without talking with your provider. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have the following symptoms with the weight gain: Constipation ConstipationConstipation is when you do not pass stool as often as you normally do. Your stool may become hard and dry, and it can be difficult to pass....Read Article Now Book Mark Article Excessive weight gain without a known cause Hair loss Hair lossPartial or complete loss of hair is called alopecia.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Feel cold more often than before Swollen feet and shortness of breath Shortness of breathBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Uncontrollable hunger accompanied by palpitations, tremor, and sweating HungerIncreased appetite means you have an excess desire for food.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article PalpitationsPalpitations are feelings or sensations that your heart is pounding or racing. They can be felt in your chest, throat, or neck. You may:Have an unpl...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article SweatingSweating is the release of liquid from the body's sweat glands. This liquid contains salt. This process is also called perspiration. Sweating helps...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vision changes What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will perform a physical exam and calculate your body mass index (BMI). The provider may also ask questions, such as:Body mass index (BMI)A good way to decide if your weight is healthy for your height is to figure out your body mass index (BMI). You and your health care provider can us...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How much weight have you gained? Did you gain the weight quickly or slowly? Are you anxious, depressed, or under stress? Do you have a history of depression? What medicines do you take? What other symptoms do you have?You may have the following tests:Blood tests Tests to measure hormone levels Nutritional assessment Your provider may suggest a diet and exercise program or refer you to a dietitian. Weight gain caused by stress or feeling sad may require counseling. If weight gain is caused by a physical illness, treatment (if there is any) for the underlying cause will be prescribed.Open ReferencesReferencesJensen MD, Bessesen DH. Obesity. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 201.Kumar RB, Aronne LJ. Obesity. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 7.Maratos-Flier E. Obesity. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 40.