Doctors Say These 2 Medications May Lead To Weight Gain—Here's How To Prevent It
Medications play a crucial role in managing a wide range of health conditions, from chronic illnesses to acute ailments. However, an often overlooked aspect of medication use is their potential to influence body weight. Many medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, have been associated with weight gain as a side effect. This connection between medications and weight gain underscores the complex interplay between our physiological systems and the substances we ingest.
Understanding how certain medications can impact weight can lead to more informed healthcare decisions and proactive strategies for maintaining a healthy body weight while effectively managing health conditions.
In order to find out the two medications that could lead to weight gain, we spoke with Alexandra L. Kharazi, MD. Kharazi revealed that beta blockers and steroids are the two culprits in this case. Read on to learn more.
Beta Blockers
Beta blockers, a class of medications commonly prescribed to manage conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure), angina (chest pain), and certain heart rhythm disorders, have been associated with weight gain in some individuals. The mechanism behind this potential side effect lies in the way beta blockers interact with the body's metabolism and hormonal balance. These medications can slow down the heart rate and reduce the body's metabolic rate, which might lead to a decrease in calorie expenditure. "These are often used to treat high blood pressure. A common side affect of these is fatigue and when people decrease activity and exercise less, they can gain more weight. Some data also suggests these slow metabolism," Kharazi states.
Steroids
Steroids, often prescribed to treat various medical conditions such as inflammation, autoimmune disorders, and hormone imbalances, can be associated with weight gain as a notable side effect. The mechanism behind this weight gain is multifaceted. Steroids can increase appetite and cravings, leading to overeating and excess calorie consumption.
Kharazi explains that she often sees these "used to treat certain types lung disease and they cause fluid retention and increase appetite. In particular the face can become more full and appear rounder."
The degree of weight gain varies among individuals and depends on factors such as the type and dosage of steroids used, as well as the duration of treatment. Close monitoring by a healthcare professional and adopting healthy lifestyle practices can help mitigate steroid-related weight gain and its potential impact on overall health.
