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Obesity
Risk factors for becoming obese
Diagnosing obesity
Complications of obesity
Treating Obesity
Phentermine
Xenical
Meridia
Health
Complications of Obesity
Obesity and health share a close relationship.
Obesity greatly increases the risks associated with a number
of very serious illnesses and medical conditions.
1) High Blood Pressure
Weight gain results in more fatty tissue. As with all other
tissues in the body, fatty tissue requires oxygen and blood
nutrients to survive. With this increased demand comes a
corresponding increase in the amount of blood circulating
through the body. This increase in blood circulation results
in greater pressure on the walls of the arteries, resulting in
high blood pressure.
2) Diabetes
Obesity is the number one contributor to
Type 2 Diabetes. Too much
body fat leaves the body resistant to insulin. It is insulin
that allows the body to maintain a healthy blood sugar level
(glucose) and resistance to insulin leads to high blood sugar
levels. Type 2 diabetes and obesity are an all to familiar
combination.
3) Abnormal Blood Fats
High fat diets that include large amounts of red meat and
fried foods are high in saturated fats. A diet high in
saturated fats often leads to obesity, high levels of bad
cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) and low levels of good
cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein). High levels of
triglycerides are also common in obese people. Triglycerides
are the form in which most fat exists in the body and in
foods, and these abnormal blood fats contribute to the buildup
of fatty deposits in the body's arteries (artherosclerosis),
increasing the risk of stroke and coronary artery disease. The
effect of narrowed arteries in the heart is that less blood is
able to flow to the heart, causing chest pain (angina) and
even heart attack.
4) Stroke
The buildup of fatty acids in the arteries in the brain can
contribute to blood clots that block blood flow to the brain,
leading to stroke.
5) Osteoarthritis
This joint disorder commonly affects the hips, knees and lower
back. These regions are particularly susceptible to the added
stress that carrying excess weight causes, as increased
pressure on the joints wears away the cartilage that protects
them.
6) Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea can be a very serious condition and exists when an
individual stops breathing for periods as they sleep. Those
with sleep apnea usually snore very heavily. The vast majority
of people who suffer from sleep apnea are overweight. A large
neck and narrow airways causes the upper airway to become
blocked during sleep, cutting off breathing.
7) Cancer
Being overweight heightens the risk for a number of cancers.
These include uterine, breast, gallbladder, colon and prostate
cancer.
8) Gallstones
Gallstones are solid deposits of cholesterol in the
gallbladder.
9) Gout
Gout is a joint disorder.
The American
Obesity Association offers excellent advice, information
and resources for all those fighting obesity. The
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National
Institute of Health offers excellent articles and research
on obesity and
health issues. Use the search box to access obesity
related information. |
