The brain is an organ that regulates the functioning of each body system, is responsible for the functioning of higher nervous activity. Few of us think about how well-coordinated work is carried out by numerous parts of the brain. Separately, it is worth highlighting the pituitary and hypothalamus, which are responsible for the production of hormones, as well as for a number of other processes, without which normal human life is impossible.
Hypothalamic obesity is a pathological process that is not subject to control by human willpower. No matter how the patient tries to lose weight, no matter how strict diets he sits on, he will not be able to lose weight. Until the work of the hypothalamus is regulated with medication, there will be no result.
What is the hypothalamus responsible for
Physically, the hypothalamus is located under the thalamus and is part of the medulla oblongata. Hypothalamus - what is it, and what role does it play in life? This small area of the brain is responsible for many processes in the human body:
- sexual behavior and libido;
- change of phases of sleep and wakefulness;
- the intensity of hunger and thirst;
- maintaining normal homeostasis;
- heat transfer processes in the body;
- mood and motivation for action.
The hypothalamus is connected by nerve pathways with almost all parts of the human body. Thus, there is practically no system whose functions would be carried out “without the knowledge” of the hypothalamus.
What is the hypothalamus responsible for in nervous activity? This part of the brain plays a significant role in the management of higher brain functions, momentary and long-term memory, and emotional states, thus influencing the model of human behavior. The hypothalamus provides the correct responses of the autonomic nervous system.
How the hypothalamus affects the appearance of excess weight
Hypothalamic obesity is a rare occurrence. In most cases, excess weight is of an alimentary nature, that is, a person is simply too much and eats calorie-dense. The reactions of the autonomic nervous system are carried out under the strict guidance of the hypothalamus. This part of the brain contributes to the emergence of a strong feeling of hunger in case of malfunctions (for example, traumatic brain injury, impaired hormone metabolism, etc.).
The hypothalamus also ensures the proper functioning of the thyroid gland by secreting liberins and statins. These substances can either stimulate or inhibit the production of somatropin (growth hormone), as well as prolactin and luteinizing hormone. With an excess of these hormones, obesity appears. And until a person corrects changes in the hypothalamus, you can not torment yourself with diets and workouts. Anyway, the result from this kind of manipulation will be invisible.
Reasons for the development of pathology
Obesity of a hormonal nature, provoked by a malfunction of the hypothalamus, as a rule, initially has the following reasons:
- damage to the normal functioning of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland due to an experienced infectious or inflammatory disease;
- traumatic brain injury (both closed and open);
- cerebrovascular accident;
- recurrent tonsillitis, adenoiditis, sinusitis, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis;
- extensive intoxication of the body.
Forms of hormonal obesity
Modern medicine distinguishes several forms of hypothalamic obesity. Depending on them, the symptoms and methods of therapy differ. For example, the drug that is ideal for the treatment of adiposogenital dystrophy will be completely useless with a different form of the disease. Obesity, as a rule, disappears after the appointment of a suitable drug and its regular intake by the patient. In parallel with the course of treatment, you must adhere to a healthy lifestyle and monitor the calorie intake of food.
So, there are the following forms of hypothalamic obesity:
- adiposogenital dystrophy disease;
- Barraquer disease
- Itsenko-Cushing's disease;
- mixed form of obesity due to impaired functioning of the hypothalamus.
Adiposogenital Dystrophy Disease
This form of the disease usually develops after a traumatic brain injury. Many patients let their health drift and do not conduct the necessary studies after a TBI. After a severe injury, problems with overweight can begin, appetite may increase, mood may constantly change, cognitive functions may deteriorate significantly.
Adiposogenital dystrophy is characterized by the following symptoms:
- obesity;
- excessive or insufficient production of thyroid hormones;
- violation of the production of pituitary hormones;
- lag in the development of the reproductive apparatus.
Hypothalamic obesity by type of Barraquer-Simmons disease
Barraquer-Simmons disease usually develops in women who, for one reason or another, have suffered extensive brain damage of a rheumatic nature. Symptoms of this pathology are as follows:
- deposition of fat reserves in the thighs and buttocks, often so significant that the proportions of the figure are very bad;
- the upper part of the body remains unchanged, recovering slightly;
- cognitive impairment is observed, in some cases neurological pathologies, problems with the mental state.
Which doctor should I go to?
Obesity is a serious disease that destroys almost all body systems. It is not so important what exactly caused the gain in excess weight - a disruption in the functioning of the pituitary or hypothalamus, or is it normal alimentary obesity. It is necessary to go to the doctor, undergo a comprehensive diagnosis of the body and take the medications prescribed by a specialist.
An endocrinologist is involved in the treatment of obesity of any type. People with hypothalamic obesity may need a consultation with a neurologist. In some cases, you will have to register and regularly monitor changes in the state of the brain and psyche.
The ICD-10 code for hypothalamic type obesity is E66.1. The exception is adiposogenital dystrophy, which was described above. The code for this form of hypothalamic obesity is E23.6.
Medication for the treatment of hormonal obesity
Since hormonal obesity is a rather serious condition that affects almost all systems of the human body, complex and quite long treatment is required. The patient must comply with all doctor's prescriptions with maximum accuracy, while simultaneously changing his eating habits and gradually making his lifestyle as healthy as possible.
As a rule, treatment is carried out using the following drugs:
- anabolic steroids (prescribed by the doctor strictly in accordance with the needs of the patient, after receiving the results of tests and conclusions about the lack or excess of a particular hormone);
- drugs that lower cholesterol and help prevent fatty liver disease;
- drugs that normalize cerebral circulation and contribute to the improvement of blood vessels ("Lipocaine", "Petamifen");
- B vitamins in injectable form - "Combilipen", "Milgamma".
Often patients neglect the search for a good specialist, do not consider it necessary to pay money for consultations and conducting the necessary studies (as a rule, tests to identify the hormonal profile are quite expensive). Attempts to lose weight on your own with hypothalamic obesity are often futile. Moreover, the patient only exhausts himself, which leads to complete nervous exhaustion and even the development of depression.
Appetite suppressant pills
One of the most popular drugs used in hormonal obesity and suppressing appetite is Mazindol. Patient reviews report that while taking medication, weight loss is fast, people lose 7-10 kilograms per month, it’s easy for them to adjust their diet.
"Mazindol" is a single drug, its only active substance is the sympathomimetic amine Mazindol. The drug has quite a few contraindications and an impressive list of side effects. With regular use, Mazindol acts on the hypothalamus and contributes to the almost complete disappearance of appetite. If in parallel the patient has a violation of the production of thyroid hormones, then it is also necessary to take other drugs. "Mazindol" is sold strictly according to the prescription, since self-administration without monitoring by a specialist the patient's condition is fraught with consequences. Many losing weight people tend to purchase it without a prescription.
List of pills to reduce appetite, for the purchase of which a doctor’s prescription is not needed:
- "MCC" from "Evalar" is a tableted microcrystalline cellulose. After it enters the stomach, it partially swells, which leads to a decrease in hunger.
- "Chitosan" from "Evalar" saturates the body with essential fats and helps to stabilize weight.
- "Turboslim Day and Night" is a tea with a laxative effect (the manufacturer claims that with constant use, the feeling of hunger becomes less pronounced).