You're eating all the right foods and exercising several times a week. You've educated yourself on the ins and outs of healthy living, and you're committed to making small, sustainable changes to reach your goals. You feel better and your health is improving, but there's no change on the scale. What gives? While the scale is not the only measure of success, it's possible that certain medical conditions and medications might be making it more difficult to lose weight, despite being very active and following a strict healthy eating plan. Even if something outside your control is to blame, though, that doesn't mean you have to throw in the towel and give up on your weight-loss goals—especially if you treat the underlying problem while you're trying to lose weight. If you think a medical reason is behind your scale's sudden derailment, be sure to speak with your doctor to get to the bottom of the issue. Your doctor will be able to safely guide you through managing your condition or medication while incorporating healthier habits into your life. Medical Conditions You Should Know1. Problems with your thyroid "Hypothyroidism or lower functioning of the thyroid can be associated with unexplained weight gain as well as difficulty losing weight," explains Dr. When discussing low thyroid function with patients, she describes the body as a car and the thyroid as the transmission. When the thyroid function is lower, the 2. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Dr. Gaffney-Adams says that polycystic ovary syndrome is the result of a hormonal imbalance, a condition in which women experience an imbalance of their reproductive hormones. Experts believe the condition is caused by higher levels of insulin or when a woman's ovaries produce an excess of "male hormones" which can prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg during menstruation. As a result of PCOS, women experience menstrual irregularities, hirsutism or excess hair growth that mimics that of male patterns, acne, skin tags and difficulty losing weight. 3. Cushing's Syndrome Dr. Susan Besser, M.D., a primary care provider at Mercy Personal Physicians in Maryland, says there are a lot of diseases involving the pituitary gland that can impact your weight. She says that since the pituitary gland is one of the "master control" glands, if it doesn't work well, neither will you. Dr. Gaffney-Adams agrees that the pituitary gland plays a role in weight loss and gain, adding that certain hormones can come into play as well. Hormonal conditions such as Cushing's syndrome, for example, occur when your body is exposed to high levels of the hormone cortisol for a long period of time. This is associated with central obesity or an accumulation of fat in the abdominal cavity. She explains that Cushing's syndrome can also occur from excessive glucocorticoid (steroid) exposure. While rare, Cushing's syndrome and disease may require surgery to treat the symptoms. 4. Other Conditions Impacting Weight Loss In addition to some of To avoid falling victim to unhealthy habits due to a lack of sleep, aim for at least six to eight hours nightly. Certain types of heart disease may also be to blame for some of your struggles. Dr. The Medication FactorThere are several medications that lead to weight gain or make weight loss more challenging. Dr. While taking the medication that is prescribed to you is essential in maintaining your health, you might want to have a conversation with your doctor to see if there is a suitable alternative you can try that may not have the same side effects. After all, your health is their priority. How a Structured Diet and Exercise Program Can
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