What Are the Complications of Obesity?

Introduction The diagnosis of obesity is made in persons whose BMI is above 30. The causes of obesity include physical inactivity, eating an unhealthy diet, medications like steroids and antidepressants, some underlying conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome in women, smoking, pregnancy, and old age. The doctor takes your medical history and does a physical examination and also orders some laboratory tests to check the blood glucose levels, cholesterol levels in the blood, and the functions of vital organs like the liver and the thyroid gland. As it is always said, prevention is better than cure, therefore, preventing obesity is much easier than treating it. You can seek help for obesity at Ashburn wellness and help prevent the complications of the condition. What Will the Doctor Want to Know From You When You Seek Treatment? When you visit a doctor seeking help for obesity, the doctor will first take your biodata; that is your name, age, residence, and other details, for example, if you are a woman, the doctor will ask about your last menstrual period to confirm if you are pregnant. The doctor will then ask about your chief complaint and what you expect from the session. The doctor will also need to know if you are on any other treatment for the condition or any weight loss program. The doctor will then want to know if you are suffering from other medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension. The doctors also ask about any medications that you are on currently because some drugs like antidepressants can contribute to obesity. The doctor will also ask about your diet patterns, how often you eat, what you eat, and whether you have problems with your appetite. The doctor will also be required to know if you are physically active or whether you have been stressed. What Are the Complications That Can Be Caused By Obesity? Obesity can affect a person’s confidence in their appearance which can then affect their mental health, therefore obesity is not only a cosmetic problem but is also accompanied by serious medical complications. Some of the medical complications of obesity include type 2 diabetes, which is characterized by resistance to insulin. Insulin is required for the utilization of glucose in the body and lack of breakdown causes diabetes. Another complication of obesity is high blood pressure which results when there is a high amount of cholesterol and fat which clogs the blood vessels, thus making the heart pump harder for the blood to pass through these vessels. Advanced hypertension can lead to heart failure because the heart muscle becomes fatigued from increased pumping of blood. Hypertension also affects the functioning of other vital organs in the body like the kidney and the liver, thus causing problems in these organs. Obesity also increases the chances of heart attack, stroke, and cancer. Other conditions that occur secondary to obesity include arthritis, gout, and gallstones. Excess fat in your throat will predispose you to obstructive sleep apnoea. Depression and fatty liver disease are other complications of diabetes. Conclusion Obesity causes both cosmetic and medical complications in the body. Some of the complications include having a negative body image and becoming depressed. Medical complications include hypertension, diabetes, liver and kidney diseases, and arthritis. Prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment will have a positive prognosis in an obese patient.