Life is wonderful when everything goes off without a hitch. What's more, we're not just talking about having amazing hair days or putting up a terrific performance at work. Your digestive system is also important. When it's messed up, however, it can affect - you guessed it - the scale.
"Gastrointestinal and stomach diseases can have a big impact on how we eat and how our systems ingest and process different foods, causing us to gain or lose weight," says Kenneth Brown, M.D., a board-certified gastroenterologist. "While most stomach-related illnesses will result in weight loss because to hopeless food retention, there are a few instances where our digestive health can contribute to weight gain."
Assuming the number on the scale is changing and you truly aren't sure why, one of these normal stomach related issues could be the offender.
1. Acid Reflux Disease
Otherwise called gastroesophageal reflux illness (GERD), this creates an agonizing consuming uproar, or indigestion, in the lower chest when stomach corrosive ascents back up into your throat. Furthermore for individuals who experience the ill effects of it, the expression "solace food" takes on a totally different importance in light of the fact that the demonstration of eating can really assist with decreasing torment. "Eating gives brief alleviation on the grounds that both the food you're eating, and the spit from really biting that food, kills corrosive," clarifies Brown. The main issue? When the food's been processed, every one of the side effects - swelling, queasiness, and hiccups that will not vanish - will quite often return, and they're typically more forceful in light of bounce back corrosive creation. But since individuals need assistance, Brown says it's not difficult to get sucked into a hazardous pattern of indulging that prompts weight gain.
The fix: While many online sources claim that home treatments such as apple cider vinegar or aloe vera can aid, Brown claims that there is no scientific proof to back up those claims. Instead, he suggests taking an over-the-counter antacid like Prilosec or Zantac (your doctor can help you decide which is best for you) that doesn't cause weight gain as a side effect. If you're still overeating, consider these tips to help you break the habit.
2. Ulcers
These unpleasant sores, also known as duodenal ulcers, form in the lining of the stomach or small intestine and are caused by excessive acid production. According to Su Sachar, M.D., a board-certified gastroenterologist who specializes in bariatrics, wellness, and optimal health, eating food can improve the painful symptoms — including bloat and constant nausea — by temporarily coating the ulcer with a protective lining and neutralizing the stomach acid. To reiterate the obvious, if you eat more frequently, the extra calories you consume can lead to weight gain.
The fix:To get rid of ulcers, consult your doctor about the best treatment option for you, which may include an acid-blocking prescription like Prilosec or Zantec, according to Sachar. Stop taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, sometimes known as NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, as they can cause internal bleeding and even death in people who have ulcers. When you need pain relief, choose for acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol.
3. Constipation
The weighed-down feeling you experience when you're blocked up could be weight gain. But there's good news: according to Brown, your body isn't actually absorbing more calories, therefore the weight gain is more likely due to excess feces, which could be adding a few pounds to the scale. Not to mention the fact that constipation doesn't exactly inspire us to go to the gym and kill a workout. It's far more likely that you're feeling heavy and sluggish... and the couch is beckoning you.
The Fix:Brown recommends eating a well-balanced diet of whole foods with at least 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day, staying hydrated (one to two liters of water per day), and exercising regularly to stay regular. If something doesn't seem quite right, take a look at these indications to understand what they could imply, and then consult your doctor.
4. Bacteria Overgrowth
Please bear with us; this isn't as bad as it sounds. In a nutshell, your intestine includes both good and bad bacteria, with evidence indicating that the latter is beneficial to your general health by reducing inflammation and maintaining a healthy weight. When the number of bacteria increases or the type of bacteria becomes unbalanced, a problem arises. (Think of it as a seesaw: your health is optimum when the good and negative are completely balanced.) When this happens, a condition called small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can develop, which can lead to weight gain in two ways, according to Brown.
He says that the bacteria may release methane gas, which "slows down the general function of the small intestine, allowing the intestinal villi — little, finger-like projections in the lining of your intestine — to absorb more calories per mouthful." To put it another way, exactly the opposite of what you desire to happen. Second, SIBO can slow down your metabolism and influence your insulin and leptin resistance, both of which aid in hunger and satiety regulation. As a result, you're more likely to crave carbs and won't feel satisfied after eating, even if it's a complete meal, according to Sachar.
The fix:Brown recommends avoiding antibiotics unless absolutely necessary to avoid SIBO (as the name implies, these treatments kill bacteria, which you only want if you're sick and need to bring the seesaw back in balance). If you already have bacterial overgrowth, your doctor may recommend a digestive herbal medication like Atrantil to help you get back on track.
5. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Because "it's the most commonly diagnosed GI disorder, and it often overlaps with other digestive problems like food sensitivities, a leaky gut, and an imbalance of good and bad bacteria," explains Sachar, the word "IBS" is thrown around a lot these days. It can also induce bloat and persistent inflammation, which, like constipation (an IBS symptom), can lead to weight gain.
The fix:It's all about getting to the base of the problem for folks who have been diagnosed with IBS. According to Sachar, your doctor can help you build up the healthy bacteria you need with probiotics and add digestive enzymes to assist break down food so it doesn't just stay in your stomach causing inflammation. Brown suggests that a gluten-free or low-gas-producing diet, such as FODMAP, may be beneficial in reducing bloating and preventing unwanted weight gain.
6. Crohn's Disease
For a more modest craving and unreasonable weight reduction are normal side effects of Crohn's illness - a hopeless persistent fiery conditions - the specific inverse can occur when somebody seeks set on a treatment that includes steroids, which is typically the initial phase in attempting to track down a prescription that works for you, says Sachar.
"Steroids will quite often build your desires for carbs and make you clutch more water and feel swelled," says Sachar.
Luckily, it's generally not too extreme to even think about losing the weight once you're off steroids. That generally occurs when an eruption - or the return of indications like loose bowels, blockage, rectal dying, and fever - die down and side effects are better taken care of.
The fix :First of all, your overall health is more important than a few pounds on the scale, so following your doctor's orders is imperative. But some doctors do shy away from steroid use, like Brown, as he knows the side effects can be less than desirable. Every patient responds differently to medication, though, so talk with your own physician to see what works best for you.
7. Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis, also known as delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder that "slows or stops the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine," according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. It is commonly associated with people who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It's usual to feel like you're gaining weight owing to fullness and bloating in the stomach area when normal digestion isn't possible, but the disorder almost always leads to weight loss in the end.
The fix:As indicated by the American College of Gastroenterology, diet is quite possibly the main variable in treating gastroparesis. Since greasy and fiber-filled food varieties take more time to process, it's suggested that anybody with as far as possible or evades those food varieties through and through. However, since this is a significant condition, it's ideal to talk with your PCP to see what the best treatment choices are for you.
8. Food Intolerance
There's a good probability you have a food intolerance if you've observed specific meals irritate your body. Food intolerance differs from a food allergy in that it affects the digestive system, making it difficult to digest and break down specific foods (the most common being dairy), according to the Cleveland Clinic. Gas, cramps, and bloating are common symptoms of food intolerance, giving the impression of weight gain. They may also develop diarrhea, depending on the severity of the food intolerance.
The fix:You may feel bloated and uncomfortable throughout the day as a result of your diet, but you may not be gaining weight. The Cleveland Clinic recommends avoiding or minimizing the items that are causing you problems, and taking an antacid if you do consume something that upsets your stomach.
9. Ulcerative Colitis
Despite the fact that Crohn's illness can spring up anyplace between the mouth and the rear-end, UCLA Health says ulcerative colitis stays in the colon, bringing about a continually excited intestinal system that can at first lead to weight reduction. Like Crohn's, however, the treatment for the fiery entrail illness - steroids - could make your body put on weight.
"An oral steroid like Prednisone can likewise cause your muscle versus fat to reallocate itself, so rather than it being in your stomach or glutes, it could move to the face or neck," says Sachar.
Despite the fact that you might see a distinction in your weight during treatment, everything ought to return down to ordinary when you're ready to get off the steroids.
The fix:Find a treatment plan that's suited for you and the severity of your ulcerative colitis after discussing with your doctor — one that may or may not include steroids. While steroids and 5-aminosalicylates may be used to treat more moderate to severe types, immunosuppressant medications and 5-aminosalicylates are also alternatives. Whatever method you choose, keep in mind that your health comes first. It's worth it if it means gaining a few pounds to improve your health.
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