8 Obesity Related Diseases
Recent statistics state that 69% of American adults are overweight and more than half of these people are obese. Obesity is considered to be one of the most serious health concerns facing Americans today, because those who are obese are at greatly increased risk for a host of other life threatening health conditions.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
The cardiovascular system supports the tissues of the body by circulating vital oxygen and nutrients through the bloodstream. An obese person has extra fatty tissue; therefore their heart must work harder to pump blood through all the extra miles of blood vessels that serve these fatty tissues. This puts extra pressure on the walls of arteries, increasing blood pressure and raising heart rate.
Heart Disease
Those who are obese are more likely to have coronary artery disease, caused when fatty deposits accumulate in the arteries. This constricts blood flow and can cause a heart attack.
Stroke
If a blot clot forms in arteries narrowed by coronary artery disease, this can cause a stroke.
Cancer
Being significantly overweight increases risk for certain types of cancers. Obesity increases the risk of colon cancer for both men and women. Obese men are at greater risk for prostate cancer while obese women are at greater risk for several cancers including breast, uterine, and gallbladder cancers.
Diabetes
Obesity is the largest contributing factor to diagnoses of type-2 diabetes. This occurs when the body becomes insulin resistant and can no longer regulate blood sugar on its own. Type-2 diabetes is usually reversible when weight is controlled by a proper diet.
Sleep Apnea and Breathing Difficulties
Too much weight on the chest can restrict the lungs and impair breathing. Caused when excess weight restricts airflow through the throat, sleep apnea interrupts breathing during sleep, causing the person to awaken multiple times throughout the night. This causes daytime sleepiness and, in severe cases, can cause death.
Osteoarthritis
Excess weight stresses the joints, particularly the hips and knees, causing them to wear out prematurely. While joint replacement surgery is an option for some, obesity usually makes a patient a poor candidate for this procedure due to low success rates.
Depression
Those who are obese are 25% more likely to suffer from depression. This may be because obesity can cause social isolation and can negatively affect self-image and self-esteem. A recent study found that depressed patients who underwent weight-loss surgery to treat obesity also experienced improvement in their depression. Those being the most successful with weight loss, were the least likely to be depressed one year later.
If you are dealing with obesity and would like to hear more about bariatric surgery options, consider meeting with Dr. Preeti Malladi to learn about your options. Contact us at Malladi Bariatrics and Advanced Surgery today for a consultation. Call (214) 242-9737.
