“Reasons Your Weight Changes Throughout the Day”

Your Diet: The balance between energy in (eating) and energy out (burning off those calories) is why your weight goes up and down.  If you take in more than you burn, you gain weight -- sometimes right away. Losing that weight can be hard, too. To lose 1 pound, experts say, your calorie balance (eating minus burning off) needs to be 500 fewer than normal each day for a week.

How You Weigh Yourself: You can't just hop onto your bathroom scale and expect a spot-on measurement every time. The flooring your scale sits on (it should be on a hard surface), how you stand (weight even on both feet), and the clothes you wear (or don’t) need to be consistent.  If not, you may see wildly different numbers.

The Scale You Use: We all know you can jump onto a scale at the doctor’s office, drive back home, jump onto yours, and see a big difference. Scales differ. Digital ones are usually more accurate. Whichever type you use, make sure you zero out your scale before you climb on.

When You Weigh Yourself: Morning is usually the best time to get your most accurate reading. You’ve had some sleep, and you probably haven’t had much to eat or drink yet. As the day goes on, though, you will.  Expect your scale to top out after a big meal. If you brace yourself, it’s a little easier to take.

Exercise: Some athletes can drop 6% to 10% of their body weight after a single workout (that’s mostly in sweat). Your change may not be as drastic. But dropping a pound or two after you hit the gym isn't uncommon.

Your Health: Illness and disease can bring unexpected weight change. Cancer, diabetes, heart failure, and even the common cold can have ripple effects. If you lose your appetite or retain water, that may tip the scale one way or the other. Talk with your doctor if you see changes that you didn't expect.

The Medicine You’re Taking: Many drugs, including anti-inflammatories, antihistamines, and opiates, can cause quick weight loss. Other meds, like insulin, antidepressants, and some anti-epileptic drugs, could make you gain weight quickly. Always ask your doctor about side effects of the medicines you take, both prescription and over-the-counter.

Drinking Too Much Water: A quart of it weighs about 2 pounds. If you just drink it -- and you don’t exercise -- that’ll show up on the scale right away. That doesn't mean you should give up H2O. In the long run, drinking water (especially instead of high-calorie sugary beverages) can help you lose weight.

Not Drinking Enough Water: Somewhere between 55% and 75% of your body is water. Falling below your natural level can bring headaches or dry skin. If you fall too far under, you may have trouble thinking straight. You may also drop weight suddenly. If you don’t drink enough to replace what you lose through the day, the scale will show it. 

Your Daily Coffee: Studies show that your cup of java (or three) can help you keep your weight in check. Caffeine might help squelch your appetite or burn a few calories. But be careful: A high-calorie, high-fat drink might push the scale the other way, too.

Salt: Too much of it in your diet is bad for your heart. It can cause you to retain water, too. That can raise your weight. Plus, people with high-sodium diets tend to eat more processed foods and snacks. Those are all high in fat and calories. Too much of those can put pounds on in a hurry.

Bathroom Breaks -- or Lack Of: Your weight can change depending on how much you’ve used the bathroom. Eat a big meal, but don’t have a bowel movement? It shows. (It's called fecal weight.) Too much to drink can register on the scale, too, if you don’t pee. On the other end of the spectrum, diarrhea can bring dehydration and weight loss.

Your Sleep Habits: Studies show that how much -- or how little -- you sleep can change your weight.  For example, after sleepless nights, you may feel hungrier than usual. That can cause you to eat bigger meals, which can lead to scale shock later in the day. 

Your Age: You may not see your weight change on the day you turn 30 (or 40 or 50). But as we get older, many of us gain weight naturally (we may become less active or have other changes like menopause).  After about 60, you may start to lose your appetite (it may be harder to chew, or you may be ill or depressed). That can cause you to drop pounds. 

Your State of Mind: While you’re stepping on a scale a few times a day, know that changes happen. Don’t get too worked up about it. Weighing yourself every day to stay aware of those ups and downs can help you keep a healthy weight -- or at least stay within a couple pounds of it. 

Reviewed by Jennifer Robinson, MD on November 15, 2017

Diabetes Spectrum: “The Physiology of Body Weight Regulation: Are We Too Efficient for Our Own Good?”
Nutrition.gov (USDA.gov): “Interested in Losing Weight?”
CDC: “Measuring Children’s Height and Weight Accurately at Home.”
BMC Public Health: “Accuracy and consistency of weights provided by home bathroom scales.”
Mayo Clinic: “Diabetes.”
Nutrition Reviews: “Water, Hydration and Health.”
Mayo Clinic: “Unexpected weight loss.”
Canadian Medical Association Journal: “Unintentional weight loss in older adults.”
Drugs of Today: “Drug-induced weight gain.”
Science Notes: “How Much Does a Gallon of Water Weigh? Easy Calculation.”
Obesity: “Drinking water is associated with weight loss in overweight dieting women independent of diet and activity.”
American College of Sports Medicine Health & Fitness Journal: “The Hydration Equation: Update on Water Balance and Cognitive Performance.”
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: “Fluid and electrolyte supplementation for exercise heat stress.”
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition: “Caffeine intake is related to successful weight loss maintenance.”
Mayo Clinic: “Weight loss.”
Goldenberg, K. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition, Butterworths, 1990.
Kidney International Supplements: “Cardiovascular and other effects of salt consumption.”
Nutrición Hospitalaria:  “Sodium intake may promote weight gain; results of the FANPE study in a representative sample of the adult Spanish population.��
Japanese Journal of Public Health: “Weight of feces and its daily fluctuation in young women. Part 1. A survey of the relation fecal weight and dietary habits and lifestyles.”
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: “Diarrhea.”
Sleep: “The Association Between Sleep Duration and Weight Gain in Adults: A 6-Year Prospective Study from the Quebec Family Study.”
Sleep.org: “How a Lack of Sleep Affects Your Body.”
Mayo Clinic: “Menopause weight gain: Stop the middle age spread.”
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition: “Body weight and weight change and their health implications for the elderly.”
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences: “Charting of daily weight pattern reinforces maintenance of weight reduction in moderately obese patients.”

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2Live

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk. 

“Surprising Things That Raise Your Blood Pressure”

The Bigger Picture: You've probably heard to watch the amount of salt you eat, especially if you're concerned about your blood pressure. That's because it makes your body hold on to water, putting extra stress on your heart and blood vessels. Salt -- and worry, and anger -- aren't the only things that can raise your blood pressure. Although temporary "spikes" aren't necessarily a problem, numbers that remain high over time can cause serious damage.

Added Sugar: It may be even more important than salt in raising your blood pressure, especially in a processed form like high-fructose corn syrup. People with more added sugars in their diet see a significant rise in both their upper and lower numbers. Just one 24-ounce soft drink causes an average 15-point bump in systolic pressure (the top number, or the pressure during a heartbeat) and 9 in diastolic (the bottom number, or the pressure between beats).

Loneliness: This isn't just about the number of friends you have -- it's about feeling connected. And being stressed or depressed doesn't fully explain the effect. It also gets worse with time: Over 4 years, the upper blood pressure of the loneliest people in a study went up more than 14 points. The researchers think an ongoing fear of rejection and disappointment and feeling more alert about your safety and security may change how your body works.

Sleep Apnea: People with sleep apnea have higher odds of getting high blood pressure and other heart problems. When your breathing is repeatedly interrupted while you're sleeping, your nervous system releases chemicals that raise your blood pressure. Plus, you're getting less oxygen, which could damage blood vessel walls and make it harder for your body to regulate your blood pressure down the road.

Not Enough Potassium: Your kidneys need a balance of sodium and potassium to keep the right amount of fluid in your blood. So even if you're eating a low-salt diet, you could still have higher blood pressure if you're not also eating enough fruits, veggies, beans, low-fat dairy, or fish. While you may think of bananas as the go-to source, broccoli, water chestnuts, spinach, and other leafy greens are better to get potassium if you're watching your weight.

Pain: Sudden, or acute, pain ramps up your nervous system and raises your blood pressure. You can see this effect when you put one hand in ice water, press on your cheek or fingernail, or get an electric shock to your finger.

Herbal Supplements: Do you take ginkgo, ginseng, guarana, ephedra, bitter orange, or St. John's wort? These and others can raise your blood pressure or change how medications work, including drugs to control high blood pressure.

Thyroid Problems: When this gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormone, your heart rate slows, and your arteries get less stretchy. Low hormone levels also might raise your LDL "bad" cholesterol, another thing that can stiffen arteries. Blood moves through hard vessels faster, pushing on the walls and raising the pressure. Though not as common, too much thyroid hormone can make your heart beat harder and faster, which will also bump up your numbers.

You Have to Pee: Systolic pressure went up an average of about 4 points, and diastolic, 3 points, in a study of middle-aged women who hadn't gone to the bathroom for at least 3 hours. Men and women of different ages saw similar effects. High blood pressure becomes more likely as you age, so you need to get accurate readings. An empty bladder could be one way to help do that.

NSAIDs: All nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can raise your numbers -- whether you're healthy or you already have high blood pressure. Though the average rise is only a few points, there's a wide range, which means it could affect some people much more than others.

Your Doctor's Office: You might see a difference if you compare readings during an appointment to the numbers you get at home. Named for the traditional garb of medical professionals, the "white coat effect" is the rise in blood pressure -- up to 10 points higher for systolic (the upper number) and 5 for diastolic (the lower number) -- that can happen simply because of where you are. The bump is likely due to nerves or anxiety.

Decongestants: Ingredients like pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine can narrow your blood vessels. That means the same amount of blood has to squeeze through a smaller space, like a crowd pushing through a hallway. These drugs can also make blood pressure medications less effective. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you choose over-the-counter products for sinus problems and colds that are safer if you have high blood pressure.

Dehydration: When your body’s cells don't have enough water, your blood vessels tighten up. This happens because your brain sends a signal to your pituitary gland to release a chemical that shrinks them. And your kidneys make less pee, to hang on to the fluid you do have, which also triggers tiny blood vessels in your heart and brain to squeeze more.

Hormonal Birth Control: Pills, injections, and other birth control devices use hormones that narrow blood vessels, so it's possible your blood pressure will go up. It's more likely to be a problem for women who are older than 35, overweight, or smokers. You may want to keep an eye on your blood pressure, checking every 6-12 months. A lower dose of estrogen may keep your numbers closer to normal.

Talking: It happens whether you're young or old and no matter where you are. The higher your resting blood pressure, the higher the numbers go when you start speaking. And the effect lasts for a few minutes. It seems the subject and emotional content of what you're saying matters more than the fact that you're moving your mouth.

Antidepressants: Medicines that target brain chemicals like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin -- including venlafaxine (Effexor), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) -- can change not only your mood but also your blood pressure. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) might raise it if you're also taking lithium or other drugs that affect serotonin.

Reviewed by James Beckerman, MD, FACC on August 30, 2018

Blood Pressure UK: "Salt's effects on your body," "Why potassium helps to lower blood pressure," "White coat hypertension (and white coat effect)."
Mayo Clinic: "High blood pressure (hypertension)," "Sleep apnea," "Medications and supplements that can raise your blood pressure."
Open Heart: "The wrong white crystals: not salt but sugar as aetiological in hypertension and cardiometabolic disease."
Psychology and Aging: "Loneliness is a unique predictor of age-related differences in systolic blood pressure," "Loneliness predicts increased blood pressure: 5-year cross-lagged analyses in middle-aged and older adults."
UChicago News: "Feeling lonely adds to rate of blood pressure increase in people 50 years old and older."
National Sleep Foundation: "Sleep Apnea."
Harvard Health Publishing: "Potassium lowers blood pressure," "Thyroid hormone: How it affects your heart," "What are the real risks of antidepressants?"
American Heart Association: "How Potassium Can Help Control High Blood Pressure."
Medscape: "Pain and Blood Pressure."
UVA Today: "The Mechanics of Hypertension: How Does Stress Contribute to Stiff Arteries?"
The Permanente Journal: "The Importance of Accurate Blood Pressure Measurement."
Korean Journal of Family Medicine: "The Impact of Bladder Distension on Blood Pressure in Middle Aged Women."
UpToDate: "NSAIDs and acetaminophen: Effects on blood pressure and hypertension."
Medical West: "The Dangers of Dehydration."
Behavioral Medicine: "Talking effect and 'white coat' effect in hypertensive patients: physical effort or emotional content?"

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2Live

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.