Health Problems Related to Obesity
Health Problems Related to Obesity Being overweight or obese can cause serious health issues. Carrying extra weight makes many parts of the body work overtime and leads to major health problems related to obesity. Most importantly, having excess fat makes the heart and blood vessels work harder. Risks for hypertension, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes escalate. Joint pains in the hips, knees and back increase as weight goes up.
Fat cells produce chemicals that cause inflammation throughout the body. Over time, this can damage organs like the liver, kidneys and pancreas. Abdominal fat is the most dangerous because it surrounds internal organs. It leads to fatty liver disease and abnormal growth of the uterus in women. Extra weight affects mental health too, causing depression and anxiety. Losing just of body weight can reduce the risks.
Being overweight strains the cardiovascular system. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and coronary artery disease often come with excess fat. Overweight people have thicker blood vessel walls, making the heart pump harder to send blood throughout the body. Eventually, the organ enlarges and loses efficiency. Such strain leads to heart attack and failure, the number one killer in the world.
Obesity puts type 2 diabetes risk on overdrive. Excess fat cells interfere with how insulin works, a key hormone that regulates blood sugar. As a result, blood glucose becomes too high. Over time, diabetes can damage eyes and kidneys, impede wound healing and increase the risk for heart disease. Staying lean or even losing a modest amount of weight has been shown to cut diabetes risk substantially.
Health Problems Related to Obesity: The Impact on Joints and Sleep
In addition to the health problems related to obesity discussed in the previous section, excess weight can also take a toll on joints and disrupt sleep patterns. These issues can further exacerbate the negative impacts of obesity on overall health.
Joint Problems
Carrying extra weight puts a significant strain on joints, especially on the knees and hips. This can lead to joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation, making it difficult to move around and perform daily activities. Over time, the constant wear and tear can also increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that causes pain and stiffness in the joints.
Furthermore, obesity can also affect the spine, leading to back pain and spinal disc problems. The excess weight puts pressure on the discs, causing them to bulge or herniate, which can be extremely painful and limit mobility.
Sleep Problems
Obesity can also disrupt sleep patterns, leading to a range of health problems. Sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing is interrupted during sleep, is particularly common among those who are overweight or obese. This is because excess weight can put pressure on the airways, making it difficult to breathe properly at night.
In addition to sleep apnea, obesity has also been linked to other sleep disorders such as insomnia and restless leg syndrome. These conditions can further impact overall health by causing fatigue and reducing the body’s ability to repair itself during rest.
Health problems related to obesity have become a growing issue in Turkey as rates of overweight and obesity increase. Hospitals like Acıbadem in Istanbul are tackling the many health problems facing their patients.
Being significantly overweight puts excess pressure on many parts of the body, particularly vital organs like the heart, liver and kidneys. Over time, this extra pressure can lead to serious health problems related to obesity including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease. People suffering from obesity may also have mobility issues and develop chronic pain conditions in the joints.
Many health problems related to obesity arise due to inflammation in the body caused by extra fatty tissue and hormonal imbalances. Carrying excess weight straining muscles, tendons and ligaments can cause orthopedic issues resulting in limited mobility and joint pain. The extra pressure on respiratory organs like the lungs makes breathing more difficult, potentially leading to health problems like sleep apnea.
The risk of some cancers also increases for those struggling with health problems related to obesity. Abdominal fat produces hormones that can stimulate the growth of cancerous tumors in organs like the breast, uterus, prostate and colon.
Lifestyle changes like improving diet and increasing physical activity are key steps to addressing health problems related to obesity and preventing further complications. Bariatric surgery may be recommended for some patients with more severe cases. Hospitals in Turkey like Acıbadem provide a range of treatment and prevention programs targeting obesity and related health issues.
Staying at a healthy weight through diet and regular exercise is vital for reducing the strain on organs and systems vulnerable to health problems related to obesity. Even a modest weight loss of total body weight through small changes has been shown to make a positive difference. Patients seeking to improve mobility issues and reduce pain can benefit from physical therapy targeting muscles weakened by obesity.
Addressing the underlying causes of obesity and related health problems requires a holistic approach involving nutrition education, psychological support and lifestyle modifications. Medical facilities like Acıbadem aim to implement prevention programs that help raise public awareness of how small changes can safeguard long-term health and improve the quality of life for all Turks confronting health problems related to obesity.
The health problems related to obesity are numerous and far-reaching. From increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease to joint pain and disrupted sleep patterns, excess weight takes a significant toll on the body. However, by taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle including regular exercise and healthy eating habits, individuals can reduce their risk of developing these health problems related to obesity. It’s never too late to start prioritizing your health – even small changes can make a big difference in the long run.
