The brain is an organ that regulates the work of each system of the body, 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 beyond the control of human willpower. No matter how hard 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 the help of medicines, 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 part of the brain is responsible for many processes in the human body:
- sexual behavior and libido;
- change of phases of sleep and wakefulness;
- intensity of hunger and thirst;
- maintaining normal homeostasis;
- heat exchange processes in the body;
- mood and motivation for action.
The hypothalamus is connected by nerve pathways to 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 controlling higher brain functions, momentary and long-term memory, emotional states, thus influencing the model of human behavior. The hypothalamus ensures the correct reactions of the autonomic nervous system.
How the hypothalamus affects the appearance of excess weight
Hypothalamic obesity is a rare phenomenon. In most cases, excess weight is of a nutritional nature, that is, a person simply eats too much and high-calorie. The reactions of the autonomic nervous system are carried out under the strict guidance of the hypothalamus. This area of the brain contributes to the appearance of a strong feeling of hunger in case of malfunctions (for example, a traumatic brain injury, a violation of hormone metabolism, etc.).
The hypothalamus also ensures proper functioning of the thyroid gland through the release of 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 hormonesobesity occurs. And until a person corrects changes in the hypothalamus, you can not torment yourself with diets and training. All the same, the result of such manipulations will be invisible.
Causes for the development of pathology
Obesity of a hormonal nature, provoked by a malfunction of the hypothalamus, as a rule, initially has the following causes:
- damage to the normal functioning of the activity of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland due to an experienced infectious or inflammatory disease;
- traumatic brain injury (both closed and open);
- impaired cerebral circulation;
- recurrent tonsillitis, adenoiditis, sinusitis, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis;
- extensive intoxication of the body.
Forms of hormonal obesity
Modern medicine identifies 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 in a different form of the disease. Obesity, as a rule, disappears after the appointment of a suitable drug and its regular use by the patient. In parallel with the course of treatment, one must adhere to a he althy lifestyle and monitor the calorie content of the food consumed.
So, there are the following forms of hypothalamic obesity:
- disease like adiposogenital dystrophy;
- diseaseBarraquer;
- Itsenko-Cushing's disease;
- mixed form of obesity due to dysfunction of the hypothalamus.
Adiposogenital dystrophy disease
This form of the disease usually develops after a traumatic brain injury. Many patients let their he alth take its course and do not do the necessary research after a TBI. After a severe injury, problems with excess weight may begin, appetite may increase, mood changes constantly, cognitive functions may deteriorate significantly.
Adiposogenital dystrophy is characterized by the following symptoms:
- obesity;
- excessive or insufficient production of thyroid hormones;
- impaired production of pituitary hormones;
- lag in the development of the reproductive apparatus.
Barraquer-Simmons hypothalamic obesity
Barraquer-Simmons disease usually develops in women who, for one reason or another, have received extensive brain damage of a rheumatic nature. The 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 spoiled;
- the upper part of the case remains unchanged, recovering slightly;
- there are cognitive impairments, in some cases neurological pathologies, problems with the mental state.
Which doctor should I contact?
Obesity is seriousa disease that disables almost all body systems. It is not so important what exactly provoked weight gain - a malfunction of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus, or is it ordinary alimentary obesity. You need to go to the doctor, undergo a comprehensive diagnosis of the body and take the drugs prescribed by a specialist.
An endocrinologist deals with the treatment of obesity of any type. People with hypothalamic obesity may need to consult 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 obesity is E66.1. The exception is adiposogenital dystrophy, which was described above. The code for this form of hypothalamic obesity is E23.6.
Medicated treatments for hormonal obesity
Since hormonal obesity is a rather serious condition that affects almost all systems of the human body, treatment requires a complex and rather long one. The patient must comply with all doctor's prescriptions with maximum accuracy, while simultaneously changing his eating habits and gradually making his lifestyle as he althy as possible.
Typically, treatment is with the following medications:
- anabolic steroids (prescribed by a doctor strictly according to the needs of the patient, after receiving the results of tests and conclusions about the lack orexcess of a particular hormone);
- drugs that reduce the concentration of cholesterol and help prevent fatty degeneration of the liver;
- drugs that normalize cerebral circulation and improve the condition of blood vessels ("Lipocaine", "Petamifen");
- B vitamins in injectable form - Kombilipen, 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 appetite suppressants is Mazindol. Patients' testimonials report that against the background of taking weight loss occurs quickly, people lose 7-10 kilograms per month, it is easy for them to adjust their diet.
"Mazindol" is a monopreparation, its only active ingredient is the sympathomimetic amine mazindol. The drug has quite a few contraindications and an impressive list of side effects. With regular intake, "Mazindol" affects the hypothalamus and contributes to almostcomplete loss 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 by prescription, since self-administration without monitoring the patient's condition by a specialist is fraught with consequences. Many people who are losing weight tend to get it without a prescription.
List of appetite suppressant pills that do not require a doctor's prescription:
- "MCC" from "Evalar" is a tableted microcrystalline cellulose. After entering the stomach, it partially swells, which leads to a decrease in hunger.
- "Chitosan" from "Evalar" saturates the body with essential fats and contributes to weight stabilization.
- "Turboslim Day and Night" is a tea with a laxative effect (the manufacturer claims that with constant intake, the feeling of hunger becomes less pronounced).
