Losing weight can be difficult, more so than gaining weight. This is usually normal, there are some medical reasons that it can become more difficult for some people
Here are 3 common medical reasons you could be struggling to lose weight.
READ MORE: Food vs exercise: What makes the biggest difference in weight loss?
Changes in oestrogen levels
Your levels of oestrogen can change as you grow older. Conditions like PCOS, tumours of the ovaries and adrenal glands among others can cause your oestrogen levels to increase.
This can change your life in many ways including increased weight with more fat stored in your midsection and upper thighs.
According to Medicalnewstoday.com High levels of oestrogen also make losing the weight a little harder. You may need to talk to a medical professional about balancing your hormones.
In conjunction with diet and exercise, this will help you lose weight and keep it off.
Hyperthyroidism
When your thyroid doesn’t work as it should, it could cause weight gain that seems impossible to get rid of.
According to healthline.com thyroid hormone is responsible for coordinating energy, growth and metabolism in your body.
When your thyroid isn’t working well it can slow down your metabolism and your bodies ability to convert and use food as energy. Without medical intervention, this could lead to weight gain and slow weight loss.
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition that makes breathing difficult in your sleep. If you cannot breathe properly while you sleep, you are not getting restful sleep.
Sleep is vital for your health for many reasons that may affect your weight. According to sleepfoundation.org a lack of sleep can contribute to a hormone imbalance and weight gain.
Because one of the main causes of sleep apnea is being overweight and a lack of proper sleep can make losing weight difficult, it is advised that you speak to your Dr about both conditions.
While All4Women endeavours to ensure health articles are based on scientific research, health articles should not be considered as a replacement for professional medical advice. Should you have concerns related to this content, it is advised that you discuss them with your personal healthcare provider.
