Implications of Obesity

Obesity is extremely common. In fact, over one-third of all adults in the United States are technically obese. However, the prevalence of this condition does not make it any less dangerous. Excess weight can lead to some of the most common and preventable causes of death.

Additionally, being overweight may significantly lower your quality of life by making it impossible to participate in or enjoy a wide range of activities. Obesity can also cause general pain, discomfort and additional stress throughout the body. By understanding the risks associated with obesity, you can make informed, knowledgeable decisions about your body while taking care to remove the unnecessary hazards.

Long-Term Effects of Obesity

Often, conversations about being overweight or obese revolve around cosmetic concerns. In reality, the real problem with obesity is not aesthetic, but instead lies in the fact that obesity can significantly and indisputably raise your risk of developing many life-threatening conditions.

Research shows that men and women carrying significant extra fat are more likely to suffer from:

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Overweight individuals often experience uncontrolled high blood pressure, since fat causes plaque build-up in arteries and restricts circulation.
High blood pressure may spur heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, vision problems, bleeding from the aorta, heart attack and heart failure.

High LDL Cholesterol, Low HDL Cholesterol or High Levels of Triglycerides

Being obese tends to raise your cholesterol significantly, which can cause coronary arteries to narrow and may lead to heart disease.

Type 2 Diabetes

This metabolic disorder involves high blood sugar, insulin resistance and a relative lack of insulin.
Long-term complications associated with Type 2 diabetes include heart disease, strokes, kidney failure, blindness and poor circulation in the limbs.

Stroke

Strokes occur when insufficient blood flow to the brain spurs the death of cells. After a stroke, part of the brain may be permanently altered.

Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease occurs when plaque builds up in arteries and restricts blood flow.

Gallbladder Disease

Being overweight heightens your chances of developing gallbladder complications such as gallstones, which form when substances in bile create hard particles and block the passageway to the gallbladder.

Sleep Apnea

When someone experiences sleep apnea, they take abnormally shallow breaths while they sleep. Breathing may also momentarily cease, causing carbon dioxide to build in the bloodstream.

Some Cancers (Endometrial, Breast, Colon, Kidney, Gallbladder and Liver)

Studies have suggested that if the number of obese individuals continues to rise, excess fat will cause about 50,000 additional cases of cancer in the United States by 2030. There are a number of possible explanations as to why obesity triggers cancer.
Some doctors have observed that fat tissue produces excess amounts of hormones, such as estrogen, that are seemingly linked to cancer. Others point to the fact that obese people often have chronic subacute inflammation, which has been linked to increased cancer risks.
Although there could be many reasons why, obesity has been proven to raise the risk of developing cancer.

Mental Illness (Clinical Depression and/or Anxiety)

Complex relationships between neurobiological and psychological factors contribute to the bridge between obesity and mental illness.
One study found that severely obese individuals are three to four times more likely to suffer from clinical depression than similar non-obese individuals.

Infertility

An established problem with obesity is infertility. Being overweight can affect a woman’s capacity to carry a full-term pregnancy.
Because obesity affects hormone levels, being overweight may also cause issues with initial conception.

Spine Problems

Excess weight places significantly more strain on the spine. Additionally, having underdeveloped abdominal muscles forces the spine to operate with much less support.
Obese men and women are more likely to experience spinal stenosis, vertebral fractures and herniated discs.

Osteoarthritis

Excess fat increases the likelihood of obtaining osteoarthritis, a disease that results from the degeneration and disappearance of cartilage and bone in joints. It can cause mild to severe chronic pain.

As you can see, many of the above conditions are interrelated. One problem can incite or encourage another. Therein lies the danger of obesity; it makes you susceptible to a diverse array of risks which tend to have a domino effect. All of the above maladies commonly intensify over time and may seriously inhibit you from doing the things you love.

Additionally, keeping many of these complications at bay demands a great deal of time and effort, both mentally and financially. By reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, you can often avoid contracting these complications or alleviate their symptoms and longevity if they have already begun to manifest.

At Lumin Bariatric Weight Loss, our Board-certified surgeons are here to help you through every step of your weight-management journey. During your initial consultation, one of our highly acclaimed team members will evaluate your medical history, physical state, goals and personal preferences for treatment. Together, we will work with you to design a weight-loss plan tailored to your unique needs and health.

As your treatment progresses, the Lumin Bariatric Weight Loss team will carefully monitor your progress to ensure the highest standards of safety and efficacy. Today’s the day to make a change. Call us directly at 972-255-5588 or fill out the form on our Contact Us website for more information. We look forward to supporting you in the pursuit of a fulfilling, active and healthy life!

Understanding Obesity

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