For some people, stepping on the bathroom scale and noticing that an extra couple of pounds can be upsetting and take a toll on your psyche. Even if you're not upset about seeing the number on the scale tick higher and higher, you may be confused. After all, is you're living the alleged "healthy" lifestyle" then the number should be consistent or even dropping. But it may not be your fault. It turns out there are some common medical reasons you're gaining weight that have nothing to do with diet and exercise, and could explain the supposedly unexplainable extra pounds.
From lack of sleep and stress to medications and other medical conditions, there are a lot of things in your life that can cause you to gain weight that you just simply may have never considered to be a factor before. If you're gaining weight and you're just not sure why, it could be worth it to check in with your doctor and see if she can pinpoint what's causing the unexplained weight gain. Whether it's a condition that can be treated, a medication that can be swapped, or something that can be adjusted or avoided altogether, there might be more that you can do about it than you think.
1Stress
Stress-eating isn't the only think to blame for weight gain.Soaring levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, can lead to inflammation and weight gain, as Sleepys.com sleep and health expert Gabriel Smith tells Romper by email.
2Medications
Some medications can cause unintentional and unexplained weight gain, as well. According to WebMD, antipsychotic drugs and migraine, seizure, diabetes, and high blood pressure medications can potentially cause you to gain weight while taking them. If you suspect your prescribed medication is causing your weight gain, talk to your doctor. They might be able to switch you to something else or give you some advice on how to manage it.
3Environmental Chemicals
Lee says that some of the chemicals you find around your house and that you come in contact with when moving around in the world can mess with your hormones, causing you to gain weight unexpectedly. Not good.
4Dehydration
If you're not drinking enough water, Lee says you might find yourself gaining a few extra unwanted pounds. Make sure you're drinking plenty of healthy drinking water throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated and feeling good.
5Plantar Fasciitis
In an interview with Prevention, Dr. Donald Bohay, cochair of the public education committee for the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society, said that the pain and discomfort caused by plantar fasciitis can keep you from being active, which, of course, can lead to weight gain.
6Sleep Deprivation
According to the previously-mentioned WebMD article, there are a few reasons why lack of sleep can cause surprising weight gain. One is due to a (likely) greater caloric intake as you snack later into the night and the other is because fluctuating hormone levels can alter your ability to recognize when you're hungry and when you're not. When in doubt, call it a night.
7Hypothyroidism, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Kidney Disease, And Other Conditions
Unintentional weight gain can also be caused by more serious conditions such as hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome, kidney disease, cardiac issues, and a rare hormonal disorder called Cushing's syndrome, according to the website for Rush University Medical Center. If you can't pin down what's causing your weight gain, make an appointment to talk to your doctor so that she can rule out any medical conditions that could be affecting your health in other ways. That unexpected weight gain could be a blessing in disguise.
