As obesity becomes an increasingly common health issue, people are becoming more aware of the risks associated with this condition. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2010, more than one-third of American adults were obese, and about 17 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 19 were considered obese as well. In addition to increasing risk factors for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, obesity also contributes to other health problems like cancer, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and hypertension. Here are 10 diseases that come with obesity.
1) Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is a condition that causes chronic inflammation of the joint cartilage. It can affect the weight-bearing joints, such as the knees and hips. Over time, this can lead to wearing away of the cartilage and changes in how easily a person can move around. Eventually these changes will progress to an irreversible state leading to pain, stiffness and decreased mobility.
2) Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone disease in which the bones become fragile and can easily break. In addition to causing people to be more likely to fall, osteoporosis can also lead to chronic pain, back problems, and increased risk of bone cancer. One way that osteoporosis is often diagnosed is through a DEXA scan. This is a type of x-ray where someone’s hip bones are scanned in order to measure their T-score.
3) Sleep Apnea
Obesity is one of the leading causes of sleep apnea, which interrupts breathing and disrupts sleep. Sleep apnea can also lead to: high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolism (blood clot in lung), poor performance at work or school, and difficulty with relationships.
4) Cancer
Losing weight and staying at a healthy weight can help people avoid some types of cancer, such as: breast cancer in postmenopausal women, colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer and pancreatic cancer. These cancers account for 43% of all cancers.
5) Stroke
Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the United States, and is also one of the major causes of disability. For stroke to happen, there has to be a blockage or rupture in a blood vessel that brings oxygenated blood to your brain. This can then lead to cell death and tissue damage, which causes a decrease in function for that part of your body. The amount of time before you have a stroke after developing this kind of blocked artery will depend on where the blockage is.
6) Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body doesn’t produce or respond to insulin, a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels. As you gain weight, the pancreas must produce more insulin to manage blood sugar levels. At some point, the extra work may overwhelm your pancreas and it can’t keep up. This leads to diabetes.
7) High Blood Pressure
Not only does obesity raise your risk for heart disease, but it can also lead to high blood pressure. These two issues, when combined with diabetes and poor eating habits, can wreak havoc on the body and eventually lead to more serious health problems.
Seek the advice of a doctor or qualified medical professional before attempting any kind of diet change in order to avoid any complications related to your health.
8) Liver Disease
While obesity can cause various other diseases, the number one disease that comes with obesity is liver disease. The risk of developing liver disease or hepatic lipidosis can increase as much as ten-fold in people who are overweight or obese. With this increased risk, it is important to monitor your health and take preventive steps when possible. One way to reduce the chance of developing liver disease while being obese is to follow a strict high protein diet that contains a low carbohydrate content and no more than 15% fat.
9) Heart Disease
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity affects 1 in 3 adults in the United States. This can lead to a number of health problems, including heart disease. Increased weight puts stress on your arteries and circulatory system which leads to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
10) Gallbladder Disease
Gallbladder disease is one of the more common reasons for gallstones. About 25% of people with gallstones never develop symptoms, so if you have this type, it’s important to get a check-up. One possible sign of the condition is pain that comes after eating fatty foods. Gallstones are often caused by high cholesterol levels in your bile ducts, but these can also be found in people without cholesterol issues.