ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Abnormal basal metabolic rate

Our bodies are like cars, and just like cars, they need fuel to run. The fuel for our bodies is called calories, which we get from the food we eat. But the amount of calories our bodies burn to keep us alive, even when we are not moving or doing anything, is called the basal metabolic rate (BMR).

Sometimes, our bodies can have an abnormal BMR, which means they burn calories too fast or too slowly. It's like when cars go super fast or very slow, and it can cause some problems for our bodies.

If our bodies burn calories too fast, it's like the engine in a car is going too fast. This can make us feel hot all the time, even when it's not hot outside. We may also feel very hungry all the time, and no matter how much we eat, we may keep losing weight or have trouble gaining weight. It's like the gas in a car is burning too quickly, and we have to keep putting more and more gas in to keep it going.

On the other hand, if our bodies burn calories too slowly, it's like the engine in a car is going too slow. This can make us feel tired and sluggish all the time. We may also gain weight easily, even if we don't eat a lot of food. It's like the gas in a car is not burning enough, so it starts to build up and make the car heavier.

An abnormal BMR can happen for many reasons. Sometimes, it's because of problems with our thyroid, which is a tiny gland in our neck that controls how fast our bodies burn calories. Other times, it can be because of certain medications or medical conditions.

If our bodies have an abnormal BMR, the doctor might need to do some tests to figure out what's going on. They may check our thyroid hormones or do other tests to find the cause. Then, they can give us the right treatment to help fix our BMR and get our bodies back to running at the right speed.

So, just like we need to take care of a car and make sure the engine works properly, we also need to take care of our bodies and make sure our BMR is normal. That way, we can feel healthy, have energy, and everything works just as it should!