Obesity Related Diseases
Eventually, being obese damages your body and shortens your lifespan. Weight-related conditions are the second-leading cause of death in the United States resulting in about 300,000 deaths per year. It also account for a significant portion of the nation's health care costs - nearly $100 billion annually. Some of the most common and most serious of the obesity-related diseases are:
- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
About 95% of patients with type 2 diabetes are overweight. Obesity can cause the body to develop a resistance to insulin, which results in high blood sugar levels. Over time, too much sugar in the blood seriously harms various tissues of the body, including the nervous and circulatory systems.
- High Cholesterol
'High cholesterol' is shorthand for the medical term 'hypercholesterolemia,' a common abnormality of lipid (fat) metabolism. When the blood contains too much low-density cholesterol and other lipids, these substances begin to stick to and build up on artery walls, restricting blood flow through the arteries. This disease is more commonly known as hardening of the arteries or 'atherosclerosis.' Its presence increases the risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease - which can result in a heart attack or stroke.
- Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure
In obese people, the heart is forced to work much harder than it was designed to. Over time, this stress can damage the heart and the kidneys. When such damage is accompanied by high blood pressure (hypertension), heart attack, stroke or congestive heart failure can result.
- Osteoarthritis or Degenerative Arthritis
Excess weight on weight-bearing joints, especially the hips, knees, ankles, and feet, eventually leads to joint damage and inflammation, accompanied by pain and loss of mobility. In obese people, this disease can also affect the spine.
- Sleep Apnea
In some people, the body stores excess fat in the tongue and neck. During sleep, these tissues relax and obstruct the air passage, making it difficult to breathe. This is especially true for those who sleep on their back. Because these people never achieve a deep, restful sleep, they often awake feeling tired and are low on energy all day long.
- Heartburn and Acid Indigestion
Referred to by doctors as 'gastroesophageal reflux,' heartburn and acid indigestion occur when gastric acid flows backward into the esophagus or food pipe through the valve at the top of the stomach. Habitual overeating weakens this valve. This condition can cause extreme discomfort, and if left untreated, gastroesophageal reflux increases the risk of esophageal cancer.
- Urinary Stress Incontinence
A large abdomen and weak abdominal muscles can weaken the urinary bladder enough to allow urine to leak from it during coughing, sneezing and laughing. Embarrassing and difficult to live with, this disease adds to the social and psychological damage caused by morbid obesity.
|
