Medical Complications of Obesity

If you're obese, you're more likely to develop a number of potentially serious health problems. These may include:

Blood & Circulation

• High Blood Pressure
  Weight gain usually mean an increase fatty tissue which needs nutrients and oxygen to survive. The resulting increase in blood flow to supply there demands not only places strain on arterial walls. Being overweight also usually results in a rise in the levels of Insulin, a blood-sugar-level controlling hormone, which also raises water retention. Add to this the associated rise in heart rate and the reduced capacity of clogged arteries and the result is an overall rise in Blood Pressure.
• Atherosclerosis
  (Arteriosclerosis) A build up of fatty deposits that cling to arterial walls constricting blood flow. This not only begins to starve the body of nutrients but can also lead to Angina (chest pain) and ultimately Heart Attack.
• Stroke
  Atherosclerosis not only leads to Heart problems but by restricting blood flow can also stop particles from their normal travels through the circulatory system. Should a blood clot form and become lodged in the brain it can cause a Stroke which can have catastrophic effects.

Fats & Sugars

• Hyperlipidemia
  Being overweight raises the levels of excess fats in the blood.

• Diabetes
  Obesity is one of the leading causes of type II diabetes. The excess fat in your body makes it resistant to insulin even though it also raises the level of insulin in the blood. The causes a rise in blood-sugar-level often resulting in Diabetes.

• Cholesterol Levels
  Today's diet, high in saturated fats from meat, particularly red, and so called fast foods, creates an abnormal level of fats in the system especially low-density lipoprotein or "bad" cholesterol. Over time this will lead to Atherosclerosis and possible the heart/blood problems noted above.

• Gallstones
  With this rise in Cholesterol there is more chance it will be deposited in the gallbladder thus raising the risk of gallstones (Cholelithiasis). However, losing weight too fast can also raise the risk of gallstones, so any weight loss should be done under medical supervision.
• Fatty Liver Disease
  Excess fats can also build up in your liver which can lead to inflammation and a scarring of the liver, possibly resulting in Cirrhosis of the Liver regardless of whether you drink alcohol or not.

Muscular Skeletal

• Osteoarthritis
  Osteoarthritis is a disorder affecting joint such as knees, hips and the lower back. The additional weight the body has to carry places extra pressure on these joints, wearing the cartilage that protects them and facilitates smooth movement, thus resulting in pain and stiffness. Obesity can also contribute to gout.

Mental and Psychological

• Libido
  Research has shown that people who are obese are far more likely to experience problems or dissatisfaction with sex than people of a normal weight. In fact, about 40% of obese people will have problems in the bedroom with either performance, enjoyment, desire, or even avoidance of sexual encounters altogether.
• Mental
  Again, research is showing that not only is depression more likely to lead to obesity through overeating for consolation, lack of exercise through lethargy, and so on, but also Obesity can itself lead to mental conditions such as depression and anxiety through low self esteem. This can lead to a downward spiral of obesity to depression to obesity and so on.

Fertility

• Menstruation
  Obesity upsets the hormonal balance of the body which therefore affects the ability of the body to function normally and healthily. Although research is ongoing, it is thought that the relationship between insulin and androgens may trigger the menstrual problems. Some research however that it is usually upper body obesity, and not that of the lower body, that causes the menstrual disorders.

• Infertility
  It is clear that obese women have a greater incidence infertility and lack of conception that women of a normal weight. Also, once pregnant, women who are obese are more likely to experience complication and also have a higher incidence of miscarriage and stillbirth. Finally, babies born to women who are obese are more likely to die within their first month of life.

Other

• Cancer
  Being overweight raises the risk of various types of cancer. In women these exhibit as cancers of the breast, cervix, ovaries uterus, and gallbladder, while in men these can be cancers of the prostrate, rectum and colon.
• Sleep Apnea
  Being overweight places extra strain on the body, even when asleep. Particularly those with extra fat or weight around the neck and shoulders can find that airways can become narrowed or even constricted during sleep thus blocking the supply of air to the body.

• Skin Disease
  Obesity affects the whole body, including the skin which undergoes some basic changes in its physiology. Some of the consequences include Dermatoses such as Acanthosis Nigricans or dark markings on the skin, Skin Tags, Leg Ulcers, and Iintertrigo, or inflammation of the folds of skin, to name but a few.