Being overweight or struggling with obesity can affect people in different ways: from workplace discrimination or harassment due to their physical appearance to medical malpractices because some health professionals fail to treat them properly. It can also affect their mental health and the physical ability to lead their ideal lifestyle. There are a number of serious health conditions related to obesity, which can worsen if they’re not treated on time. Often, these health conditions may be so severe that they can significantly shorten your life expectancy. If you have struggled with your weight for most of your life, you may feel like there is nothing you can do to improve your health.
Fortunately, at our LIMARP® clinic in Tijuana, MX, we offer several types of bariatric surgery and treatments for patients visiting us from all over the country and from the United States. Our team of doctors, led by Dr. Liza María Pompa González, is specialized and highly skilled in treating any health conditions related to obesity. They will be with you throughout your weight loss journey to provide guidance and ensure that you achieve a healthy, fulfilling lifestyle.
This includes providing information about the risks that are related to obesity, especially if it’s not treated in a timely fashion. There are many health conditions related to obesity that you should be aware of in order to avoid them and this article will focus on just that. Keep in mind that each case is different and that not everyone who’s struggling with obesity or being overweight is certain to develop any of these health conditions. If you identify any symptoms, make sure to contact your doctor right away so that they can provide proper treatment.
Before we list the health conditions related to obesity, we’d like to provide brief information about obesity. Obesity is an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat that can cause illness and significant risks for your health and it can be calculated by a variety of tests, including simple ones like measuring your body mass index (BMI). Patients with a BMI over 25 are considered overweight and patients with a BMI over 30 are considered obese, a trained physician can help you determine if your weight is at an unhealthy level.
Many patients who are overweight or obese also have a genetic predisposition for the disease. A person is more likely to be obese if one of their parents is obese, or if their family has a similar, unhealthy lifestyle.
Cardiovascular Diseases
There are several reasons why cardiovascular diseases are related to obesity. First, the more you weigh, the more blood your heart pumps to distribute it to the rest of your body. As BMI increases, so do blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, and inflammation. These changes can lead to health conditions related to obesity such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular death.
Diabetes
Being overweight can put a person at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which is another health condition related to obesity. If you are suffering from this condition, your body does not use insulin as effectively as it should. This biochemical, produced by your pancreas, helps cells convert food into energy.
To combat inefficient insulin use, your body will make more insulin to transfer glucose into the cells. However, because this increased production is not natural, sugar will eventually build up in your bloodstream. When you are overweight, your cells have too many nutrients to process. As a result, your body will signal cells to reduce insulin receptors, leading to insulin resistance.
Diabetes is a huge concern because it can cause a number of additional health problems, such as:
- Heart disease
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Foot problems
- Nerve damage
- Sexual dysfunction
Arthritis
Arthritis is typically an age-related condition. It occurs when the cartilage inside your joints starts to wear down, causing painful friction between the bones every time you move. When you are overweight, your joints suffer additional strain, and cartilage may wear down more quickly. It can then be quite painful to move. Exercise will become difficult and can be even harder to reach a healthy weight.
Respiratory Diseases
Other health conditions related to obesity include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and obstructive sleep apnea. In part, this is because extra fat can compress the lungs and decrease total lung capacity. Furthermore, fat accumulation around the waist can inhibit the movement of your diaphragm. Excess weight can also affect muscle efficiency. As with arthritis, respiratory problems can make exercise difficult, if not impossible.
Other Health Conditions Related to Obesity
Along with the conditions described above, obesity can also increase your risk for:
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Metabolic syndrome
- Certain cancers, such as colon, pancreatic, liver, breast, and kidney cancer
- Gallbladder disease
- Chronic depression
Services Offered at LIMARP®
LIMARP® offers a full spectrum of bariatric surgeries to help you lose weight and restore your health. When you come to our practice, we will evaluate your needs and explain the various surgical options available. Depending on your current weight, lifestyle, and health, we will help you choose the most appropriate procedure. After surgery, a healthy diet and plenty of exercise are essential. However, with the right changes, you could lose a significant amount of weight.
Contact Us to Learn More
If you’ve been diagnosed with any health condition related to obesity, schedule an appointment with one of our doctors. We can help determine the right treatment for you. Contact us online anytime or give us a call at (619) 373-0229.