What is hypothalamic obesity?
“Hypothalamic obesity” refers to excess weight gain that may follow from an injury to the hypothalamus, a brain region with many important functions. The hypothalamus affects energy intake, by regulating how much we eat, and energy expenditure, by regulating how much energy our bodies use.
How is hypothalamic obesity diagnosed?
The diagnosis is made by physical examination and review of the symptoms. There is no cure for hypothalamic obesity. Treatment involves a combination of surgery, medications, and nutritional and lifestyle counseling. The long-term outlook for people with this condition is dependent on weight loss and management.
What role does the hypothalamus play in obesity?
The hypothalamus regulates body weight by precisely balancing the intake of food, energy expen- diture and body fat tissue. Orexigenic and anorexigenic hypothalamic centers (hyperphagia when impaired) play a central role, connecting to adipose tissue by means of an intricate efferent and afferent signals circuit.
What part of the hypothalamus controls weight?
The major centres involved are the arcuate nucleus, paraventricular nucleus, lateral hypothalamic area, dorsomedial hypothalamus and the ventromedial hypothalamus. Interrelationships between these centres provide tight homeostatic regulation of body weight.
How is hypothalamic disease treated?
Treatment for Hypothalamus Disorders
- Surgery or radiation for tumors.
- Hormone medication for hormone problems like hypothyroidism.
- Appetite suppressing medications for overeating problems.
- Dietary plans.
- Obesity medications like metformin
How do you reset your hypothalamus to lose weight?
Carbohydrates are likely the most critical to resetting the hypothalamus to avoid building fat. Simple carbs, like those in syrups, honey and table sugar, are absorbed almost immediately and causes cascades of hormones and triggers the hypothalamus to start storing fat.
What can damage hypothalamus?
There are several causes of hypothalamic dysfunction, which include:
- Surgery.
- Head injury.
- Tumors.
- Radiation.
- Anorexia (eating disorders)
- Extreme weight loss.
- Tuberculosis.
- Aneurysm (a weak area in the wall of the blood vessel that causes its bulging)
Can a tumor on the hypothalamus cause obesity?
[2] [3] When this tumor is removed, the hypothalamus can get damaged leading to the symptoms of hypothalamic obesity. Other causes for hypothalamic obesity include other rare tumors, head trauma, swelling in the brain and being born with a brain malformation. [2]
Can a person with hypothalamic obesity overeat?
Some individuals with hypothalamic obesity may exhibit hyperphagia, a form of disordered eating that is characterized by abnormal food-seeking behavior such as sneaking or stealing food while others will develop obesity without the obvious excessive hunger and overeating.
Can a child be born with hypothalamic obesity?
In some cases, a child is born with a hypothalamus that does not function typically as a result of a genetic disorder. Rapid, sustained, excessive weight gain can indicate hypothalamic obesity.
Are there any specific treatments for hypothalamic obesity?
There is not one specific treatment for hypothalamic obesity. The goal of treatment in general is to promote weight loss and control hunger. Most people with this condition are treated with a combination of gastric surgery, medications, and nutritional and lifestyle counseling.