There are numerous reasons why a person starts gaining weight. These reasons can be:-
- Increase in diet intake that includes more junk or processed food than fresh vegetables and nutrition rich food.
- A drastic change in routine that leads to less physical activities and movements.
- Disturbed and unstable mental and emotional state.
- Hormonal Imbalance
Now, why is knowing the reason behind the fluctuation in the weight of a person important? It is because each reason needs a different approach and different doctor for treatment. If the reason is related to mental health issues, then a psychologist is what a patient needs the most, but if the reason is an unbalanced diet, a dietician or nutritionist is the one who can give the best solution. Same way, if the reason is majorly hormonal imbalance, endocrinologists are the doctors who are the specialists in this area.
What are the Hormone Conditions That Have an Impact on a Person’s Weight?
There are several hormonal diseases and hormonal glands whose dysfunction in the body have a huge impact or influence a person’s weight. These are:-
Glands-
- Thyroid
- Adrenal
- Pituitary gland
- Pancreas
Hormones
- Cortisol
- Gehrelin
- Estrogen
- Leptin
- Peptide YY
- Insulin
- Cholecystokinin
- Glucagon-like peptide-1
- Neuropeptide Y
Diseases
- underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
- type 2 diabetes
- menopause
- Cushing disease
- polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- genetic conditions, like Prader-Willi syndrome
Role of Endocrinologist in the Weight Loss Journey of a Person: The Play of Hormones-
Endocrinologists are specialists or experts that have specific training, knowledge and experience regarding the metabolism and endocrine system and endocrine system includes all the glands in the body and ultimately all the hormones released by these glands. So, if a person gains weight due to hormonal disbalance, then an endocrinologist is the one that he/ she should visit.
Weight gain and in more serious words obesity is not just about appearance and increase in kgs or pounds. Obesity is an extreme disease because it is a condition that triggers or increase further life risking diseases in the body like Heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, Breathing problems, asthma, sleep apnea, Joint problems, Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), Pregnancy complications, etc.
That is why it is very important to take a step and go see a doctor if you suffer from obesity. Remember, it is never too late to start something, even your weight loss journey for a healthy lifestyle.
An endocrinologist can help a patient with weight loss by providing care that includes:-
- Diet advice.
- Lifestyle changes.
- Medicines.
- Can refer other health specialists or health care providers
With this, when other health providers analyze the patient’s overall condition and make plans and treatment approaches by keeping everything related to the patient’s lifestyle, sometimes there is a need for area specific treatment. When it comes to diseases related to hormones and hormonal glands, the need for area- specific treatment becomes more vital and that is where the endocrinologists come into play.
They can diagnose, plan a schedule for a patient, can perform regular checkups and also can provide a specific medical treatment plan for the patient.
While an endocrinologist gives a medicine prescription after a lot of patient specific analyses and after studying his/ her medical history and current health conditions, there are chances of side effects of taking medicines for having a proper hormonal balance in the body to ultimately have a healthy body weight. These side effects could be:-
- constipation
- Diarrhea
- breathlessness
- chest pain or tightness
- dizziness or fainting
- dry mouth or an unpleasant taste
- nausea or vomiting
- heart palpitations
- tremors or seizures
As can be seen, these side effects could go from mild to severe depending on patent-to- patient. So, in order to avoid that or to prevent any complications, an endocrinologist first tries to give a lifestyle and diet changing plans and routines after diagnosing which gland is not working properly and which exact hormone or hormones is the core reason of weight gain. After that, if the diet and routine changes don’t change much, then a doctor may go with medicines or Pharmacologic Treatments.
Conclusion-
We can conclude that, if sudden weight gain or having difficulties in losing weight is your concern, then an endocrinologist is the right doctor for you to go to.
An Endocrinologist Brisbane may not only diagnose or treat you himself, but also can suggest you the better approach or other specialists you can opt for, that will be more better for you to get best results and get your concern solved.
