The Health Threat Of Morbid Obesity

Morbid obesity brings with it an increased risk for a shorter life expectancy. For individuals whose weight exceeds twice their ideal body weight, the risk of an early death is doubled compared to non- obese individuals. The risk of death from diabetes or heart attack is five to seven times greater. Even beyond the issue of obesity-related health conditions, weight gain alone can lead to a condition known as ‘end-stage’ obesity where, for most part, no treatment options are available. Yet an early death is not the only potential consequence. Social, psychological, and economic effects of morbid obesity, however unfair, are real and can be especially devastating.

Significant Obesity-Related Health Conditions

Obesity-related health conditions are health conditions that, whether alone or in combination, can significantly reduce your life expectancy. A partial list of some of the more common conditions follows.

Obesity-related health conditions include:

Type 2 diabetes:

People with obesity develop a resistance to the insulin that regulates blood sugar levels. Over time, the pancreas becomes unable to produce enough insulin to overcome resistance. In type 2 diabetes, the initial effect of this stage is usually an abnormal rise in blood sugar right after a meal (called postprandial hyperglycemia). This effect is now believed to be particularly damaging to the body.

High blood pressure/heart disease:

Excess body weight strains the ability of the heart to function properly. The resulting hypertention (high blood pressure) can result in strokes, as well as inflict significant heart and kidney damage.

Osteoarthritis of weight-bearing joints:

The additional weight placed on joints, particularly knees and hips, results in rapid wear and tear, along with pain caused by inflammation. Similarly, bones and muscles of the back are constantly strained, resulting in disc problems, pain, and decreased mobility.

Sleep apnea/respiratory problems:

Fat deposits in the tongue and neck can cause intermittent obstruction of the air passage. Because the obstruction is increased when sleeping on your back, you may find yourself waking frequently to reposition yourself. The resulting loss of sleep often results in daytime drowsiness and headaches.

Gastroesophageal reflux/heartburn:

Acid belongs in the stomach and seldom causes any problem when it stays there. When acid escapes into the esophagus through a weak or overloaded valve at the top of the stomach, the result is called gastroesophageal reflux, and “heartburn” and acid indigestion are common symtoms. Approximately 10 to 15 percent of patients with even mild sporadic symtoms of heartburn will develop a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, which is a premalignant change in the lining membrane of the esophagus, a cause of esophageal cancer.

Depression:

People with weight-related conditions face constant challenges to their emotions: repeated failure with dieting, disapproval from family and friends, sneers and remarks from strangers. They often experience discrimination at work, cannot fit comfortably in theater seats, or ride in a bus or plane. No wonder that anxiety and depression may accompany years of suffering.

Infertility:

The inability or diminished ability to produce offspring.

Fatty liver or hepatic lipidosis:

Fatty liver disease is the accumulation of fat in liver cells. The greater the risk of developing liver inflammation, fibrosis, or cirrhosis (moderate or severe scarring of the liver).

Likeliness of Gallbladder disease:

Gallbladder disease is much more likely in obese individuals, being associated with formation of gallstones, usually composed of crystallized cholesterol, within the gallbladder. Although readily treatable by removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy), it may lead to life-threatening problems such as obstruction of the ducts from the liver, jaundice, and inflammation of the pancreas (gallstone pancreatitis).

Venous thromboembolic disease

Venous thromboembolic disease affects the legs, and causes swelling, thickening and discoloration of the skin, and ulceration of the skin. This condition begins with damage to the veins of the legs, associated with formation of blood clots (thrombophlebitis), often associated with an injury, a pregnancy (even use of birth-control pills or hormones), or a surgical operation. When a newly formed blood clot breaks loose, and floats through the veins to the heart and lungs, it is called a Pulmonary embolus, which may sometimes be fatal within minutes. More commonly, the blood clot remains in place locally, and heals by becoming a scar, which permanently damages the vein. Once damaged, the veins cannot fully function to return blood to the heart, and increased venous pressure in the legs causes swelling, impaired circulation in the skin, and sometimes skin breakdown. Obesity is a major risk factor in development of VTE, and may also aggravate the increased venous pressure in the legs.

Degenerative disc disease:

Degenerative disc disease is a progressive "wearing-out" of the cartilaginous disks between the vertebral bones of the spine. It occurs more often and earlier in life in obese persons, due to the markedly increased mechanical stress on the disks from the extra weight. Its most common sign is chronic low back pain, which may be disabling. This condition is also associated with sciatica, lumbar spondylosis, and spinal stenosis.

Skin breakdown:

Skin hygiene can be a significant problem for people struggling with obesity, as the layers of skin can rub against each other, causing skin breakdown and infection.

Swollen legs/skin ulcers:

Leg swelling is common and may be caused by blood clots in the leg veins. If untreated, skin breakdown can occur and the resulting wounds can be extremely hard to heal.

Urinary stress incontinence:

A large, heavy abdomen relaxes pelvic muscles, compounding the effects of childbirth. This weakens the valve on the urinary bladder allowing leakage when coughing, sneezing, or laughing.

Menstrual irregularities:

Morbidly obese individuals often experience menstrual disruptions, such as irregular or absent periods and increased pain during the cycle.

Cancer:

People suffering from morbid obesity are at an increased risk for some types of cancer eg., endometrial, gallbladder, uterine, cervical, ovary, and breast in females; colorectal and prostate in males.

Pulmonary embolus:

A pulmonary embolus is caused by a clot from the venous circulation. Most are caused from clots originating in the lower extremities, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Because people with weight-related conditions are more susceptible to circulatory problems, their chances of experiencing a pulmonary embolus are higher.

 

Venous thromboembolic disease affects the legs, and causes swelling, thickening and discoloration of the skin, and ulceration of the skin. This condition begins with damage to the veins of the legs, associated with formation of blood clots (thrombophlebitis), often associated with an injury, a pregnancy (even use of birth-control pills or hormones), or a surgical operation. When a newly formed blood clot breaks loose, and floats through the veins to the heart and lungs, it is called a Pulmonary embolus, which may sometimes be fatal within minutes. More commonly, the blood clot remains in place locally, and heals by becoming a scar, which permanently damages the vein. Once damaged, the veins cannot fully function to return blood to the heart, and increased venous pressure in the legs causes swelling, impaired circulation in the skin, and sometimes skin breakdown. Obesity is a major risk factor in development of VTE, and may also aggravate the increased venous pressure in the legs.
Degenerative disc disease is a progressive "wearing-out" of the cartilaginous disks between the vertebral bones of the spine. It occurs more often and earlier in life in obese persons, due to the markedly increased mechanical stress on the disks from the extra weight. Its most common sign is chronic low back pain, which may be disabling. This condition is also associated with sciatica, lumbar spondylosis, and spinal stenosis.
Skin breakdown: Skin hygiene can be a significant problem for people struggling with obesity, as the layers of skin can rub against each other, causing skin breakdown and infection.
Swollen legs/skin ulcers: Leg swelling is common and may be caused by blood clots in the leg veins. If untreated, skin breakdown can occur and the resulting wounds can be extremely hard to heal.
Urinary stress incontinence: A large, heavy abdomen relaxes pelvic muscles, compounding the effects of childbirth. This weakens the valve on the urinary bladder allowing leakage when coughing, sneezing, or laughing.
Menstrual irregularities: Morbidly obese individuals often experience menstrual disruptions, such as irregular or absent periods and increased pain during the cycle.
Cancer: People suffering from morbid obesity are at an increased risk for some types of cancer eg., endometrial, gallbladder, uterine, cervical, ovary, and breast in females; colorectal and prostate in males
Venous thromboembolic disease affects the legs, and causes swelling, thickening and discoloration of the skin, and ulceration of the skin. This condition begins with damage to the veins of the legs, associated with formation of blood clots (thrombophlebitis), often associated with an injury, a pregnancy (even use of birth-control pills or hormones), or a surgical operation. When a newly formed blood clot breaks loose, and floats through the veins to the heart and lungs, it is called a Pulmonary embolus, which may sometimes be fatal within minutes. More commonly, the blood clot remains in place locally, and heals by becoming a scar, which permanently damages the vein. Once damaged, the veins cannot fully function to return blood to the heart, and increased venous pressure in the legs causes swelling, impaired circulation in the skin, and sometimes skin breakdown. Obesity is a major risk factor in development of VTE, and may also aggravate the increased venous pressure in the legs.
Degenerative disc disease is a progressive "wearing-out" of the cartilaginous disks between the vertebral bones of the spine. It occurs more often and earlier in life in obese persons, due to the markedly increased mechanical stress on the disks from the extra weight. Its most common sign is chronic low back pain, which may be disabling. This condition is also associated with sciatica, lumbar spondylosis, and spinal stenosis.
Skin breakdown: Skin hygiene can be a significant problem for people struggling with obesity, as the layers of skin can rub against each other, causing skin breakdown and infection.
Swollen legs/skin ulcers: Leg swelling is common and may be caused by blood clots in the leg veins. If untreated, skin breakdown can occur and the resulting wounds can be extremely hard to heal.
Urinary stress incontinence: A large, heavy abdomen relaxes pelvic muscles, compounding the effects of childbirth. This weakens the valve on the urinary bladder allowing leakage when coughing, sneezing, or laughing.
Menstrual irregularities: Morbidly obese individuals often experience menstrual disruptions, such as irregular or absent periods and increased pain during the cycle.
Cancer: People suffering from morbid obesity are at an increased risk for some types of cancer eg., endometrial, gallbladder, uterine, cervical, ovary, and breast in females; colorectal and prostate in males.