Weight gain

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Weight gain

Template:Search infobox Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Weight gain is an increase in body weight. It is generally caused by the intake of excess calories, little exercise, or may be caused by a medical condition. One exception is bodybuilding, in which muscle is gained by workout routines. With a large differential diagnosis, weight gain is a prevalent complaint among adult patients.

It may be intentional or unintentional, sometimes for muscle building, or for health reasons, i.e. increasing body fat percentage to a healthy amount. Intentional reasons may include gaining weight to get to a healthy weight, bodybuilding, and recovery for eating disorders like Anorexia Nervousa.

See also obesity for a full discussion.

Symptoms

Causes

Common Causes

Causes by Organ System

Causes in Alphabetical Order

Causes include; [1] [2]

Acute or chronic Liver Disease

  • Decreased hepatic protein production causes a decrease in intravascular oncotic pressure
  • Leads to edema, ascites etc.

Congestive Heart Failure
Cushing's Syndrome

  • Cortisol levels may be elevated due to
  • Adrenocorticotropic hormones secreting adrenal adenoma
  • Adrenal hyperplasia
  • Adrenocorticotropic hormone secreting ectopic tumor

Diabetes Mellitus
Hyperplasia

Hypothalamic lesions
Growth hormone deficiency
Medication side effects

  • Oral contraceptives
  • Corticosteroids
  • Antidepressants

Premenstrual syndrome
Pregnancy
Pre-eclampsia/Eclampsia
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

  • Hirsutism
  • Irregular menstrual cycle
  • Insulin resistance
  • Obesity

Laboratory Findings

  • fasting glucose
  • urinealysis
  • U&E
  • Random cortisol

Primary Prevention

  • Low calorie diet and excercise

References

  1. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:77 ISBN 1591032016
  2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:68 ISBN 140510368X

Acknowledgements

The content on this page was first contributed by Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2]

List of contributors:


Suggested Reading and Key General References

Suggested Links and Web Resources

For Patients

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