Your obesity is a major contributor to the development of many life-threatening diseases and conditions. The following is a list of just some of the conditions that can be brought on by obesity. If you would like more information on treatments available to combat obesity, please contact Balette Bariatrics to learn more.
Type-2 Diabetes
The incidence of Type 2 diabetes in our country is increasing also, in correlation with the rise in obesity. The American Diabetes Association estimates about 21 million people have diabetes, with another 54 million people diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a condition in which fasting blood glucose levels are elevated, but not yet to the level indicated for Type 2 diabetes.
High Cholesterol
High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) can be inherited, but is often preventable and treatable. A healthy diet, regular exercise and sometimes medication can go a long way toward reducing high cholesterol.
When you have high cholesterol, you may develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits make it difficult for enough blood to flow through your arteries. Your heart may not get as much oxygen-rich blood as it needs, which increases the risk of a heart attack. Decreased blood flow to your brain can cause a stroke.
Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure
There is a strong correlation between heart disease and obesity. The more overweight a person is, the more likely he or she is to develop heart disease. Obesity also contributes to several risk factors for the condition, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Osteoarthritis or Degenerative Arthritis
Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, is the most common form of arthritis and is experienced by millions of people world-wide. Osteoarthritis can develop in any joint in the body but most commonly appears in the knees, hips, hands, neck and lower back. The weight bearing joints in your body are not designed to handle and manage the increased stress that comes with obesity. There is no cure for arthritis.
Cancer
Obesity increases your risk of contracting cancer. Obesity has been linked to cause cancers such as breast, uterine, thyroid, pancreatic, stomach and colon. Treating obesity can help prevent future cancer related issues.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea was eliminated in 85.7% of bariatric surgery patients who participated in a landmark study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2004. Increasing evidence also suggests that bariatric surgery may be among the most effective treatments for diseases and conditions including obstructive sleep apnea, high cholesterol, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Clearly, by moving toward a healthier weight and lifestyle, many serious diseases can be prevented and in cases like sleep apnea, even eliminated.