Causes of Weight Gain
Causes of Weight Gain (Diseases Database):
The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Weight Gain
that are listed by the Diseases Database:
Source: Diseases Database
Weight Gain Causes: Book Excerpts
Weight Gain as a complication of other conditions:
Other conditions that might have
Weight Gain as a complication may,
potentially, be an underlying cause of Weight Gain.
Our database lists the following as having
Weight Gain as a complication of that condition:
Weight Gain as a symptom:
Conditions listing Weight Gain
as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Weight Gain.
Our database lists the following as having
Weight Gain as a symptom of that condition:
Medications or substances causing Weight Gain:
The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible
causes of Weight Gain as a symptom.
This list is incomplete and various other drugs or substances
may cause your symptoms.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
See full list of 454
medications causing Weight Gain
Drug interactions causing Weight Gain:
When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react
causing Weight Gain as a symptom.
The list below is incomplete and various other drugs or substances may cause your symptoms.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
- Aldactazide (Spironolactone, HCTZ) and Advil (Ibuprofen) interaction - Sudden weight gain
- Aldactazide (Spironolactone, HCTZ) and Motrin (Ibuprofen) interaction - Sudden weight gain
- Aldactazide (Spironolactone, HCTZ) and Nuprin (Ibuprofen) interaction - Sudden weight gain
- Aldactazide (Spironolactone, HCTZ) and Aleve (Naproxen) interaction - Sudden weight gain
- Aldactazide (Spironolactone, HCTZ) and Naprosyn (Naproxen) interaction - Sudden weight gain
- more interactions...»
See full list of 222
drug interactions causing Weight Gain
Medical news summaries relating to Weight Gain:
The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Weight Gain:
Related information on causes of Weight Gain:
As with all medical conditions,
there may be many causal factors.
Further relevant information on causes of Weight Gain may be found in:
Causes of Weight Gain: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about the causes of Weight Gain.
Weight Gain:
Differential Diagnosis
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
-
Primary obesity due to overeating and a sedentary lifestyle
-
Medication side effects (e.g., oral contraceptives, corticosteroids, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, hypoglycemics, and anticonvulsants)
-
Overeating secondary to nicotine withdrawal, depression, binge phase of bulimia nervosa
-
Pregnancy
-
Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia
-
Premenstrual syndrome
- Nephrotic syndrome
–Renal loss of protein results in decreased intravascular oncotic pressure, leading to water “leakage” to extravascular compartments (e.g., edema, ascites)
–Due to primary renal disease or secondary causes (e.g., diabetes mellitus)
-
Acute or chronic liver disease
–Decreased hepatic protein production results in decreased intravascular oncotic pressure, leading to water “leakage” to extravascular compartments (e.g., edema, ascites)
-
Congestive heart failure
-
Hypothyroidism
-
Diabetes mellitus
-
Polycystic ovarian syndrome
–Associated with hirsutism, menstrual irregularities, insulin resistance, obesity
-
Cushing's syndrome
–Excess cortisol levels due to ACTH-secreting adrenal adenoma, adrenal hyperplasia, ACTH-secreting ectopic tumor, or ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma (Cushing's disease)
-
Less common etiologies (“zebras”) include hypothalamic lesions (e.g., tumor, infection), hyperphagia due to hyperthyroidism, acromegaly (growth hormone excess, usually due to a pituitary tumor), or growth hormone deficiency
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004
Weight gain, excessive:
Medical causes
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
Acromegaly
Acromegaly causes moderate weight gain. Other findings include coarsened facial features, prognathism, enlarged hands and feet, increased sweating, oily skin, deep voice, back and joint pain, lethargy, sleepiness, and heat intolerance. Occasionally, hirsutism may occur.
Diabetes mellitus
The increased appetite associated with diabetes mellitus may lead to weight gain, although weight loss sometimes occurs instead. Other findings include fatigue, polydipsia, polyuria, nocturia, weakness, polyphagia, and somnolence.
Hypercortisolism
Excessive weight gain, usually over the trunk and the back of the neck (buffalo hump), characteristically occurs in this disorder. Other cushingoid features include slender extremities, moon face, weakness, purple striae, emotional lability, and increased susceptibility to infection. Gynecomastia may occur in men; hirsutism, acne, and menstrual irregularities may occur in women.
Hyperinsulinism
Hyperinsulinism increases appetite, leading to weight gain. Emotional lability, indigestion, weakness, diaphoresis, tachycardia, visual disturbances, and syncope also occur.
Hypogonadism
Weight gain is common in hypogonadism. Prepubertal hypogonadism causes eunuchoid body proportions with relatively sparse facial and body hair and a high-pitched voice. Postpubertal hypogonadism causes loss of libido, impotence, and infertility.
Hypothalamic dysfunction
Conditions such as Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome cause a voracious appetite with subsequent weight gain, along with altered body temperature and sleep rhythms.
Hypothyroidism
With hypothyroidism, weight gain occurs despite anorexia. Related signs and symptoms include fatigue; cold intolerance; constipation; menorrhagia; slowed intellectual and motor activity; dry, pale, cool skin; dry, sparse hair; and thick, brittle nails. Myalgia, hoarseness, hypoactive deep tendon reflexes, bradycardia, and abdominal distention may occur. Eventually, the face assumes a dull expression with periorbital edema.
Nephrotic syndrome
With nephrotic syndrome, weight gain results from edema. In severe cases, anasarca develops — increasing body weight up to 50%. Related effects include abdominal distention, orthostatic hypotension, and lethargy.
Pancreatic islet cell tumor
Pancreatic islet cell tumor causes excessive hunger, which leads to weight gain. Other findings include emotional lability, weakness, malaise, fatigue, restlessness, diaphoresis, palpitations, tachycardia, visual disturbances, and syncope.
Preeclampsia
With preeclampsia, rapid weight gain (exceeding the normal weight gain of pregnancy) may accompany nausea and vomiting, epigastric pain, elevated blood pressure, and visual blurring or double vision.
Sheehan’s syndrome
Most common in women who experience severe obstetric hemorrhage, Sheeehan’s syndrome may cause weight gain.
Other causes
Drugs
Corticosteroids, phenothiazines, and tricyclic antidepressants cause weight gain from fluid retention and increased appetite. Other drugs that can lead to weight gain include hormonal contraceptives, which cause fluid retention; cyproheptadine, which increases appetite; and lithium, which can induce hypothyroidism.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
Weight gain, excessive:
Medical causes
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Acromegaly
This disorder causes moderate weight gain. Other findings include coarsened facial features, prognathism, enlarged hands and feet, increased sweating, oily skin, deep voice, back and joint pain, lethargy, sleepiness, heat intolerance and, occasionally, hirsutism.
Cushing’s syndrome (hypercortisolism)
Excessive weight gain, usually over the trunk and the back of the neck (buffalo hump), characteristically occurs in this disorder. Other cushingoid features include slender extremities, moon face, weakness, purple striae, emotional lability, and increased susceptibility to infection. Gynecomastia may occur in men; hirsutism, acne, and menstrual irregularities may occur in women.
Diabetes mellitus
The increased appetite associated with this disorder may lead to weight gain, although weight loss sometimes occurs instead. Other findings include fatigue, polydipsia, polyuria, nocturia, weakness, polyphagia, and somnolence.
Heart failure
Despite anorexia, weight gain may result from edema. Other typical findings include paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, orthopnea, and fatigue.
Hyperinsulinism
This disorder increases appetite, leading to weight gain. Emotional lability, indigestion, weakness, diaphoresis, tachycardia, visual disturbances, and syncope also occur.
Hypogonadism
Weight gain is common in this disorder. Prepubertal hypogonadism causes eunuchoid body proportions with relatively sparse facial and body hair and a high-pitched voice. Postpubertal hypogonadism causes loss of libido, impotence, and infertility.
Hypothalamic dysfunction
Conditions such as Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome cause a voracious appetite and subsequent weight gain along with altered body temperature and sleep rhythms.
Hypothyroidism
In this disorder, weight gain occurs despite anorexia. Related signs and symptoms include fatigue; cold intolerance; constipation; menorrhagia; slowed intellectual and motor activity; dry, pale, cool skin; dry, sparse hair; and thick, brittle nails. Myalgia, hoarseness, hypoactive deep tendon reflexes, bradycardia, and abdominal distention may occur. Eventually, the face assumes a dull expression with periorbital edema.
Metabolic syndrome
This syndrome, previously called syndrome X, consists of a group of disorders that affect metabolism, including excessive weight gain (usually in the central abdomen), hypertension (blood pressure greater than 135/85 mm Hg), abnormal cholesterol levels (high low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels, low high-density lipoprotein level), and high insulin levels. Inefficient use of insulin in the body is thought to be a major contributor to metabolic syndrome, as are physical inactivity, poor diet, and genetic factors. Individuals with metabolic syndrome are at a significantly increased risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Treatment typically involves exercising, following a heart-healthy diet, and refraining from smoking; medical therapy may be prescribed to treat the individual disorders.
Nephrotic syndrome
In this syndrome, weight gain results from edema. Severe edema (anasarca) can increase body weight by up to 50%. Related effects include abdominal distention, orthostatic hypotension, and lethargy.
Pancreatic islet cell tumor
This type of tumor causes excessive hunger, which leads to weight gain. Other findings include emotional lability, weakness, malaise, fatigue, restlessness, diaphoresis, palpitations, tachycardia, visual disturbances, and syncope.
Preeclampsia
In this disorder, rapid weight gain (exceeding the normal weight gain of pregnancy) may accompany nausea and vomiting, epigastric pain, elevated blood pressure, and blurred or double vision.
Sheehan’s syndrome
Most common in women who experience severe obstetric hemorrhage, this syndrome may cause weight gain caused by impaired pituitary gland function.
Other causes
Drugs
Corticosteroids, phenothiazines, and tricyclic antidepressants cause weight gain from fluid retention and increased appetite. Other drugs that can lead to weight gain include hormonal contraceptives, which cause fluid retention; cyproheptadine, which increases appetite; and lithium, which can induce hypothyroidism.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Weight gain, excessive:
Medical causes
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
Acromegaly
Acromegaly causes moderate weight gain. Other findings include coarsened facial features, prognathism, enlarged hands and feet, increased sweating, oily skin, deep voice, back and joint pain, lethargy, sleepiness, and heat intolerance. Occasionally, hirsutism may occur.
Diabetes mellitus
The increased appetite associated with diabetes mellitus may lead to weight gain, although weight loss sometimes occurs instead. Other findings include fatigue, polydipsia, polyuria, nocturia, weakness, polyphagia, and somnolence.
Heart failure
Despite anorexia, weight gain may result from edema. Other typical findings in heart failure include paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, tachypnea, tachycardia, nausea, orthopnea, and fatigue.
Hypercortisolism
Excessive weight gain, usually over the trunk and the back of the neck (buffalo hump), characteristically occurs in hypercortisolism. Other cushingoid features include slender extremities, moon face, weakness, purple striae, emotional lability, and increased susceptibility to infection. Gynecomastia may occur in men; hirsutism, acne, and menstrual irregularities may occur in women.
Hyperinsulinism
Hyperinsulinism increases appetite, leading to weight gain. Emotional lability, indigestion, weakness, diaphoresis, tachycardia, vision disturbances, and syncope also occur.
Hypogonadism
Weight gain is common in hypogonadism. Prepubertal hypogonadism causes eunuchoid body proportions with relatively sparse facial and body hair and a high-pitched voice. Postpubertal hypogonadism causes loss of libido, impotence, and infertility.
Hypothyroidism
With hypothyroidism, weight gain occurs despite anorexia. Related signs and symptoms include fatigue; cold intolerance; constipation; menorrhagia; slowed intellectual and motor activity; dry, pale, cool skin; dry, sparse hair; and thick, brittle nails. Myalgia, hoarseness, hypoactive deep tendon reflexes, bradycardia, and abdominal distention may occur. Eventually, the face assumes a dull expression with periorbital edema.
Nephrotic syndrome
With nephrotic syndrome, weight gain results from edema. In severe cases, anasarca develops — increasing body weight up to 50%. Related effects include abdominal distention, orthostatic hypotension, and lethargy.
Pancreatic islet cell tumor
Pancreatic islet cell tumor causes excessive hunger, which leads to weight gain. Other findings include emotional lability, weakness, malaise, fatigue, restlessness, diaphoresis, palpitations, tachycardia, vision disturbances, and syncope.
Preeclampsia
With preeclampsia, rapid weight gain (exceeding the normal weight gain of pregnancy) may accompany nausea and vomiting, epigastric pain, elevated blood pressure, and visual blurring or double vision.
Other causes
Drugs
Corticosteroids, phenothiazines, and tricyclic antidepressants cause weight gain from fluid retention and increased appetite. Other drugs that can lead to weight gain include hormonal contraceptives, which cause fluid retention; cyproheptadine, which increases appetite; and lithium, which can induce hypothyroidism.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
Weight gain, excessive:
Medical causes
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
Acromegaly.Acromegaly causes moderate weight gain. Other findings include coarsened facial features, prognathism, enlarged hands and feet, increased sweating, oily skin, deep voice, back and joint pain, lethargy, sleepiness, and heat intolerance. Occasionally, hirsutism may occur.
Diabetes mellitus.The increased appetite associated with diabetes mellitus may lead to weight gain, although weight loss sometimes occurs initially. Other findings include fatigue, polydipsia, polyuria, nocturia, weakness, polyphagia, and somnolence.
Hypercortisolism.Excessive weight gain, usually over the trunk and the back of the neck (buffalo hump), characteristically occurs in hypercortisolism. Other cushingoid features include slender extremities, moon face, weakness, purple striae, emotional lability, and increased susceptibility to infection. Gynecomastia may occur in men; hirsutism, acne, and menstrual irregularities may occur in women.
Hyperinsulinism.Hyperinsulinism increases appetite, leading to weight gain. Emotional lability, indigestion, weakness, diaphoresis, tachycardia, vision disturbances, and syncope also occur.
Hypogonadism.Weight gain is common in hypogonadism. Prepubertal hypogonadism causes eunuchoid body proportions with relatively sparse facial and body hair and a high-pitched voice. Postpubertal hypogonadism causes loss of libido, impotence, and infertility.
Hypothalamic dysfunction.Conditions such as Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome cause a voracious appetite with subsequent weight gain, along with altered body temperature and sleep rhythms.
Hypothyroidism.With hypothyroidism, weight gain occurs despite anorexia. Related signs and symptoms include fatigue; cold intolerance; constipation; menorrhagia; slowed intellectual and motor activity; dry, pale, cool skin; dry, sparse hair; and thick, brittle nails. Myalgia, hoarseness, hypoactive deep tendon reflexes, bradycardia, and abdominal distention may occur. Eventually, the face assumes a dull expression with periorbital edema.
Metabolic syndrome.Metabolic syndrome, previously called syndrome X, consists of a group of disorders that affect metabolism, including excessive weight gain (usually in the central abdomen), hypertension (blood pressure greater than 135/85 mm Hg), abnormal cholesterol levels (high low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels, low high-density lipoprotein level), and high insulin levels.
Nephrotic syndrome.With nephrotic syndrome, weight gain results from edema. In severe cases, anasarca develops—increasing body weight up to 50%. Related effects include abdominal distention, orthostatic hypotension, and lethargy.
Pancreatic islet cell tumor.Pancreatic islet cell tumor causes excessive hunger, which leads to weight gain. Other findings include emotional lability, weakness, malaise, fatigue, restlessness, diaphoresis, palpitations, tachycardia, vision disturbances, and syncope.
Preeclampsia.With preeclampsia, rapid weight gain (exceeding the normal weight gain of pregnancy) may accompany nausea and vomiting, epigastric pain, elevated blood pressure, and blurred or double vision.
Sheehan's syndrome.Most common in women who experience severe obstetric hemorrhage, Sheehan's syndrome may cause weight gain.
Other causes
Drugs.Corticosteroids, phenothiazines, and tricyclic antidepressants cause weight gain from fluid retention and increased appetite. Other drugs that can lead to weight gain include hormonal contraceptives, which cause fluid retention; cyproheptadine, which increases appetite; and lithium, which can induce hypothyroidism.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Poor Weight Gain - Case 6-1: 16-Month-Old Boy:
I. Differential Diagnosis
(Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas)
There were many possible diagnoses to consider in this case. In the general
categorization of organic versus nonorganic causes of FTT, the symptoms of
diarrhea and later fever were factors supporting an organic cause. Yet, the
family history of being noncompliant with getting the nutritional supplements
and the fact that this was an overstressed family, with an HIV-positive mother
and twin babies, raises some nonorganic factors. The possibility of mixed FTT
was very high on the list. As far as organic causes, HIV is a well-known cause
of FTT. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between maternally acquired
antibodies and true infection. The positive (times 2) PCR result made true HIV
infection one diagnosis. The onset of high spiking fevers then prompted the
evaluation for an opportunistic infection.
Diagnostic considerations in an HIV-infected child with fever are diverse.
Opportunistic diseases and pathogens to consider include
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP), and cryptococcal infection.
Viruses include hepatitis B and C, Epstein-Barr virus, and cytomegalovirus.
Other pathogens include
M. avium, cryptosporidium, Toxoplasma gondii, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Children with HIV are also at risk for focal bacterial infections such as
sinusitis, pneumonia, or intraabdominal abscess. A child who is HIV positive
and who is febrile requires an exhaustive search to identify an organism.
The initial evaluation should include a search for focal infection and a general
assessment of severity of illness. The absence of specific localizing signs
presents a greater diagnostic dilemma.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas, 2003
Poor Weight Gain - Case 6-2: 7-Month-Old Boy:
I. Differential Diagnosis
(Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas)
The differential diagnosis of growth failure due to malabsorption is a long one.
Once the type of malabsorption was narrowed down to exocrine pancreatic
dysfunction, then the differential narrowed to hereditary and acquired causes.
The hereditary causes include cystic fibrosis, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome,
Pearson
's pancreatitis and bone marrow syndrome, and isolated enzyme deficiency.
Acquired causes include chronic pancreatic and surgical conditions.
Other causes of malabsorption are many and include defects in the luminal phase,
the mucosal phase, or the transport phase of absorption and digestion. Table
6-4 shows tests that may be used to evaluate the various forms of
malabsorption.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas, 2003
Poor Weight Gain - Case 6-3: 20-Day-Old Girl:
I. Differential Diagnosis
(Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas)
The differential diagnosis in this case was broad. During feeding, the baby was
noted to have a poor suck and swallow. There was a question whether this
difficulty with intake was a primary problem (e.g., neuropathy, spinal-muscle
atrophy) or secondary due to poor nutrition and weakness. When the child was
fed, she gained more strength but still failed to gain weight. When no weight
gain was noted despite adequate caloric intake, malabsorption was considered.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas, 2003
Poor Weight Gain - Case 6-4: 5-Day-Old Boy:
I. Differential Diagnosis
(Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas)
This child presented in heart failure as the cause of his growth failure. The
cause of heart failure may be cardiac or noncardiac, as shown in Table 6-9.
Table 6-10 shows the differential diagnosis of a liver mass in a child.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas, 2003
Poor Weight Gain - Case 6-5: 3-Month-Old Girl:
I. Differential Diagnosis
(Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas)
The differential diagnosis in this case included some form of upper bowel
obstruction. There was a marked hypochloremic alkalosis to support this kind of
loss, along with the associated history. Severe gastroesophageal reflux,
gastric outlet obstruction, pyloric stenosis, or some kind of duodenal anomaly
(e.g., duplication) was possible. The upper gastrointestinal radiograph
delineated the lesion of pyloric stenosis. The electrolyte disturbance was
characteristic of an upper bowel atresia with loss of sodium, chloride, and
hydrogen ion.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas, 2003
Poor Weight Gain - Case 6-6: 21-Month-Old Boy:
I. Differential Diagnosis
(Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas)
The differential diagnosis of weight loss is very extensive and potentially
involves almost every organ system. For this child, who had grown and developed
somewhat normally, one would not expect a psychosocial cause unless there had
been some recent change in the child
's family constitution or living environment. The loss of weight and linear
growth over a short period of time suggest an organic cause. The findings of
pallor and abdominal distention also suggest narrowing of the differential
diagnosis to a disease-based cause.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas, 2003
Poor Weight Gain - Case 6-7: 18-Month-Old Boy:
I. Differential Diagnosis
(Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas)
The severity of this child's condition prompted the consideration of a wide differential diagnosis. The
parent
's economic status and educational level at first prompted the medical care team
to eliminate psychosocial causes. Yet, the child
's response to supportive care and feeding and the normal laboratory pattern that
he demonstrated revealed a nonorganic cause for his life-threatening condition.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas, 2003
Eating a healthy diet is hard work. That's why people get help from registered dietitians who are part diet detective and part counselor. Learn...
There are people who know the nutritional value of foods and follow dietary recommendations to a tee. Others are clueless. Which camp are you in?
A diagnosis of breast cancer usually leads to some form of surgery. Afterward, various therapies help guard against spread or recurrence of disease....
New devices may help some epilepsy patients who are not seizure-free after taking medications.
See full list of 7 related videos
» Next page: Risk Factors for Weight Gain
Rate This Website
What do you think about the features of this website?
Take our user survey and have your say:
Website User Survey
Medical Tools & Articles:
Next articles:
Tools & Services:
Medical Articles:
Forums & Message Boards
- Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
