5 Pound Weight Gain
You have gained 5 pounds. Is it a big deal? Here is what a 5-pound weight gain may mean:
Sleep apnea Other signs include snoring, headaches and fatigue. The link to mystery pounds? With apnea, breathing is interrupted while you snooze, possibly by throat tissue blocking your windpipe. Fitful sleep disrupts your hormones in a way that makes your body accumulate fat, says Gregg Faiman, M.D., an endocrinologist at University Hospitals of Cleveland. See your doc, who might prescribe a special sleep mask to keep your airway open.
Polycystic ovary syndrome This hormonal disorder occurs when the ovaries pump out too much testosterone, causing thinning hair, acne and irregular periods along with weight gain. PCOS is linked to too-high levels of the hormone insulin, and extra insulin encourages the body to build up and hoard fat. Exercise and a balanced diet can improve your ability to process insulin; hormonal birth control can help keep testosterone production in check. [source: Self]
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