Taking antihistamines may relieve allergy symptoms, but these commonly used medications can too make it harder to fasten your belt. A modern study carried out at Yale University shows that people who take antihistamines are more likely to be obese or overweight than those who don’t.
Antihistamines and Weight Profit
When Yale researchers looked at the body weight of 268 prescription antihistamine users, they made an fascinating observation. Forty-five percent of antihistamine users were overweight compared to thirty percent of the common population. All in all, taking antihistamines was associated with a fifty-five percent greater risk of being overweight or obese.
Why Do People Take Antihistamines and Why Do They Cause Weight Profit?
Prescription antihistamines are frequently prescribed to treat allergy symptoms – particularly hay fever and seasonal allergies. They block the production of histamine – a chemical involved in producing allergic symptoms – such as itchy eyes, a runny nose, and sneezing.
Why the organization between antihistamines and weight profit? Researchers are rapid to point out that the results don’t necessarily mean that antihistamines cause weight profit. It could be that having allergies predisposes a person to place on weight.
On the other hand, the brain has receptors for antihistamine, and antihistamine receptors in the brain play a role in appetite, and, possibly, the rate at which the body burns stout. So, people who take antihistamines may unconsciously eat more – and taking antihistamines may slow down their metabolism slightly. The not so pleased results? Weight profit.
Other Medications That Cause Weight Profit
Antihistamines aren’t the only medications that cause weight profit. Other common drugs that can cause “stealth” weight profit include antidepressants, beta blockers, steroids, insulin, and medications to treat seizures. Some people taking these medications experience gradual weight profit – and don’t know why – and it can be tough to take whether off once it lands in all the incorrect places.
Antihistamines and Weight Profit: Other Options?
Are there alternatives to taking antihistamines to treat allergies – that don’t cause weight profit? Anyone who’s experiencing weight profit on antihistamines should conversation to their doctor approximately using a steroid-based nasal spray. These are fairly effective for treating nasal stuffiness and won’t cause weight profit. There are too antihistamines eye drops available for itchy eyes and since they aren’t absorbed systemically to a meaningful degree, they don’t cause weight profit.
Antihistamines and Weight Profit: The Foot Line?
There are lots of medications that cause weight profit that few people are aware of. Whether you’re taking antihistamines or any other drug, check your medication list whether you’re gaining weight – and don’t know why.
References:
Medscape.com. “Antihistamines Linked to Additional Pounds”
