Complications of Overweight
Complications of Overweight:
Do You Know the Health Risks of Being Overweight: NIDDK (Excerpt)
If you are overweight, you are more likely to
develop health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain
types of cancer, gout (joint pain caused by excess uric acid), and
gallbladder disease. Being overweight can also cause problems such as
sleep apnea (interrupted breathing during sleep) and osteoarthritis
(wearing away of the joints). The more overweight you are, the more likely
you are to have health problems.
(Source: excerpt from Do You Know the Health Risks of Being Overweight: NIDDK)
Do You Know the Health Risks of Being Overweight: NIDDK (Excerpt)
Heart Disease and Stroke
Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death and disability
for both men and women in the United States. Overweight people are more
likely to have high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease
and stroke, than people who are not overweight. Very high blood levels of cholesterol and
triglycerides (blood fats) can also lead to heart disease and often are
linked to being overweight. Being overweight also contributes to angina
(chest pain caused by decreased oxygen to the heart) and sudden death from
heart disease or stroke without any signs or symptoms.
The good news is that losing a small amount of weight can reduce your
chances of developing heart disease or a stroke. Reducing your weight by
10 percent can decrease your chance of developing heart disease by
improving how your heart works, blood pressure, and levels of blood
cholesterol and triglycerides.
Diabetes
Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes) is the most
common type of diabetes in the United States. Type 2 diabetes reduces your
body's ability to control your blood sugar. It is a major cause of early
death, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, and blindness. Overweight
people are twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes as people who are
not overweight. You can reduce your risk of developing this type of
diabetes by losing weight and by increasing your physical activity.
If you have type 2 diabetes, losing weight and becoming more physically
active can help control your blood sugar levels. If you use medicine to
control your blood sugar, weight loss and physical activity may make it
possible for your doctor to decrease the amount of medication you need.
Cancer
Several types of cancer are associated with being overweight. In women,
these include cancer of the uterus, gallbladder, cervix, ovary, breast,
and colon. Overweight men are at greater risk for developing cancer of the
colon, rectum, and prostate. For some types of cancer, such as colon or
breast, it is not clear whether the increased risk is due to the extra
weight or to a high-fat and high-calorie diet.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that is closely
associated with being overweight. Sleep apnea can cause a person to stop
breathing for short periods during sleep and to snore heavily. Sleep apnea
may cause daytime sleepiness and even heart failure. The risk for sleep
apnea increases with higher body weights. Weight loss usually improves
sleep apnea.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a common joint disorder that most
often affects the joints in your knees, hips, and lower back. Extra weight
appears to increase the risk of osteoarthritis by placing extra pressure
on these joints and wearing away the cartilage (tissue that cushions the
joints) that normally protects them. Weight loss can decrease stress on
the knees, hips, and lower back and may improve the symptoms of
osteoarthritis.
Gout
Gout is a joint disease caused by high levels of uric acid in the
blood. Uric acid sometimes forms into solid stone or crystal masses that
become deposited in the joints. Gout is more common in overweight people
and the risk of developing the disorder increases with higher body
weights.
Note:Over the short term, some diets may lead to an attack
of gout in people who have high levels of uric acid or who have had gout
before. If you have a history of gout, check with your doctor or other
health professional before trying to lose weight.
Gallbladder Disease
Gallbladder disease and gallstones are more common if you are
overweight. Your risk of disease increases as your weight increases. It is
not clear how being overweight may cause gallbladder disease.
Weight loss itself, particularly rapid weight loss or loss of a large
amount of weight, can actually increase your chances of developing
gallstones. Modest, slow weight loss of about 1 pound a week is less
likely to cause gallstones.
(Source: excerpt from Do You Know the Health Risks of Being Overweight: NIDDK)
Helping Your Overweight Child: NIDDK (Excerpt)
Although children have
fewer weight-related health problems than adults, overweight
children are at high risk of becoming overweight adolescents and adults.
Overweight adults are at risk for a number of health problems including
heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure stroke, and some forms of
cancer.
(Source: excerpt from Helping Your Overweight Child: NIDDK)
NIDDK _ Statistics Related to Overweight and Obesity: NIDDK (Excerpt)
Overweight and obesity are known risk
factors for:
- diabetes
- heart disease
- stroke
- hypertension
- gallbladder disease
- osteoarthritis (degeneration of cartilage and bone of
joints)
- sleep apnea and other breathing problems
- some forms of cancer (uterine, breast, colorectal
kidney, and gallbladder).
(Source: excerpt from
NIDDK _ Statistics Related to Overweight and Obesity: NIDDK)
NHLBI Heart Disease & Women Are You At Risk: NHLBI (Excerpt)
Overweight women are much more likely
to develop heart-related problems, even if they have no other risk factors.
Excess body weight in women is linked with coronary heart disease, stroke,
congestive heart failure, and death from heart-related causes. The more
overweight you are, the higher your risk for heart disease.
(Source: excerpt from NHLBI Heart Disease & Women Are You At Risk: NHLBI)
Medical news summaries about complications of Overweight:
The following medical news items
are relevant to complications of Overweight:
You may also want to research other symptoms
in our Symptoms Center.
About complications:
Complications of Overweight are secondary conditions, symptoms, or other disorders that are
caused by Overweight.
In many cases the distinction between symptoms of Overweight and complications
of Overweight is unclear
or arbitrary.
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