For some people, fat can accumulate around the knees when they become overweight. Specific exercises can't be performed to spot reduce this fat. However, if you suddenly start losing weight in this area, it may be cause for concern and an indicator of a serious health condition that requires medical attention.
Dehydration
A lack of proper hydration can cause you to shed fat from around your knees at a rapid rate. To be dehydrated, you have to lose 1 percent of your body weight or more in water weight, according to the National Health Service, or NHS. Besides the lost fat around your knees, dehydration can show itself through fatigue, constipation, dry mouth and seizures.
Osteoarthritis
Another reason you may be potentially losing fat around your knees is osteoarthritis. This disease is a degenerative disease of the joints and causes the bones and cartilage of the joints to break down. A loss of fat mass around the knee is common with this condition. It may also be characterized by swelling, pain, stiffness and limited mobility.
Hoffa's Syndrome
Hoffa's syndrome also goes by the name of fat pad impingement and occurs when your knee cap sustains an injury. Essentially, the fat behind your knee gets squeezed and eventually goes away. It can cause swelling and severe pain. While rest and icing the area can help cure this condition, surgery is often required.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism could also be the cause of sudden fat loss around your knees. This condition occurs when your thyroid gland becomes overactive. In fact, it makes you very hungry, but you still lose weight dramatically anyway, even around your knees. Other symptoms of this condition include insomnia, fatigue, weakness, excess sweating, tremors and menstrual cycle changes.
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