Top Five Health Conditions Related to Obesity

Obesity is a major health issue worldwide, with China and Australia topping the obesity chart. It is also a growing epidemic in the United States, affecting a large number of individuals across all age groups. Many people may not fully comprehend the implications of obesity and may mistakenly perceive it as simply carrying some extra weight. Some may know that obesity is bad but may be more concerned with aesthetic reasons than health. Most obese people who try to lose weight do it to look better while naked instead of caring about their health. Of course, any reason to lose weight is valid, but that doesn’t mean there should be no awareness of the implications for an individual’s overall health.

The scary truth is that obesity significantly raises the risks of having various health conditions that will affect your quality of life and may be fatal if left unchecked. If you want to know how obesity affects you or your loved ones, it would be good to familiarize yourself with the top conditions that affect more and more people each year.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes is a chronic condition that is often linked to obesity, which is a growing epidemic in modern society. When the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin, Type 2 Diabetes may occur.

While type 1 diabetes is associated with genetics and situations that are outside the patient’s control, Type 2 Diabetes is caused by lifestyle choices, the main one being obesity. According to the American Heart Association, obesity is the leading cause of Type 2 Diabetes in Americans.

Insulin in the Body

Insulin is a hormone that everybody produces in the pancreas. It has the vital role of helping cells absorb glucose from sugary foods and drinks into the bloodstream, which will provide the individual’s body with energy. When you eat any kind of food, healthy or not, the blood sugar levels rise, giving a sign to the pancreas to create and release insulin. When kept in check, insulin helps keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range. The problem is when a person eats without restrictions and is obese in the first place.

How Obesity Leads to Type 2 Diabetes

Excess fat around the abdomen, one of the major signs of obesity in individuals significantly raises the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Having a high percentage of body fat interferes with the body’s ability to use insulin effectively in obese people. This is a condition in itself called insulin resistance. It means the cells of an obese person can’t absorb glucose as human anatomy originally intended, which causes higher blood sugar levels.

Most obese people like to call their abdominal fat “love handles” or a “spare tire” to try and cope with their condition but is a whole lot more than that. Abdominal fat is biologically active, it releases hormones and other substances that can potentially disrupt the body’s metabolic processes. Subcutaneous abdominal fat produces inflammation, which in turn impairs insulin action, making insulin resistance stronger.

This excess in subcutaneous abdominal fat triggers a lot of changes in an obese person’s body. It increases the production of fatty acids and the kind of proteins that will interfere with the insulin’s correct path into the bloodstream. If this keeps going for years without medical attention to reduce body fat percentage, it can lead to the pancreas becoming overworked and eventually failing to produce enough insulin for the metabolism to function properly.

How Insulin Resistance Works

Insulin naturally binds to receptors on the surface of cells. In a normal, healthy, non-obese body, this binding will signal the receptive cell to absorb the glucose. When someone presents insulin resistance, these processes won’t function properly, and the receptors on the cells won’t absorb anything or not enough. When the cells fail to respond properly to insulin stimuli, they will leave more glucose to be released into the bloodstream.

When insulin resistance starts to develop in the body, the pancreas will try to compensate by producing even more insulin. This is not sustainable in the long term. As insulin resistance worsens, the pancreas won’t be able to keep up with the deficiency, and blood sugar levels in the obese person’s body will inevitably rise.

Reaching this point, blood sugar levels will be always high, leading to prediabetes and eventually to Type 2 Diabetes. As you can see, it can be detected early on and prevented with some lifestyle changes such as doing cardio and eating less slop.

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

Some symptoms can serve as markers indicating to patients that they could potentially have Type 2 Diabetes. If you suspect you have Type 2 Diabetes, look out for the following symptoms:

Frequent Urination

Elevated blood sugar levels make the kidneys work harder than they should to filter and try to absorb all the excess glucose. The only thing they can do is try to eliminate the surplus glucose in the urine, making your visits to the bathroom to alleviate yourself way more frequent than usual.

Excessive Thirst

Following the symptom just described, if you pee frequently, the fluids in your body will deplete, making you feel constantly thirsty, always sipping water or carrying a water bottle everywhere you go. If you find yourself in a loop of peeing and feeling thirsty all day to the point of madness, then you should worry about having Type 2 Diabetes.

Fatigue

Without enough insulin in the body, the cells can’t access the energy fuel from insulin. That is why an obese person will always appear to be fatigued, sweating, and making huge efforts to do the most basic physical tasks.

Blurred Vision

High blood sugar levels will dehydrate you due to the excess peeing. That won’t only make you thirsty during the day but will absorb fluids from anywhere it can, including your eyes. Having dehydrated eyes will make them sore, and your vision will suffer because of it.

Complications

Leading a life defined by suffering from Type 2 Diabetes is like playing a game in hard mode. Keeping a balanced lifestyle will help a lot to avoid complications that can arise if Type 2 Diabetes has already developed and is not being treated properly by a professional doctor. Obese people must understand these potential complications to take a proactive stance concerning their health.

Nerve Damage

One of the most common complications of Type 2 Diabetes is Nerve Damage, also called Neuropathy. This complication can potentially affect at least 50% of all obese persons with diabetes. Nerves can become damaged by having high blood sugar levels, which in turn may lead to pain, unscratchable tingling, and numbness, especially in the hands and feet. This is the reason why people with Type 2 Diabetes often develop necrosis on their feet without them even knowing about it. The common population may think this is a stereotype. Still, it is true: obese people often reach a point where they can’t feel their feet, and since they don’t even see them in their daily lives due to the fat blocking their lower vision, their feet have to be amputated to try and save the entire limb.

Of course, limbs don’t go numb overnight. First, due to Type 2 Diabetes, obese people will experience a constant tingling sensation that may become unbearable if not treated. Think about the tingling as if the nerve system on the limb was trying to scream for help until it eventually gave up and stopped functioning. That is what would happen to a limb, but nerve damage can occur all over the body.

Another sign of nerve damage is a sharp, jabbing pain. Extreme sensitivity to touch may also be present, along with muscle weakness. All of this will inevitably lead to irreversible nerve damage. This is why keeping blood sugar levels in check is of utmost importance. Regular exercise, a healthy diet without slop, and avoiding smoking and getting drunk can help. Still, nothing is better than consulting a professional to get personalized treatment to avoid developing Type 2 Diabetes in the first place.

Kidney Disease

Diabetes can and will take a toll on the kidneys of an obese person. Kidneys are the organs that filter waste from the bloodstream so the body can excrete it in various forms. When blood sugar levels are high, the kidney’s filtering system will stop functioning properly, leading to a condition called nephropathy, which is the deterioration of the kidneys and can lead to extreme kidney failure, which may even result in death.

Kidney Disease often goes unnoticed until it’s quite advanced and too late. Some early signs of Kidney Disease include swelling in the hands and feet, an increased need to urinate, and high blood pressure. To protect the kidneys from further damage derived from this complication obese people should schedule regular kidney screening to get the proper treatment and medication to manage the symptoms.

Retinopathy

The eyes are not exempt from being affected by Type 2 Diabetes. The condition called Diabetic Retinopathy presents when the high blood sugar levels in an obese person’s body damage the blood vessels inside the retina. If this condition is left untreated by a professional who knows what he is doing, it can lead to irreversible loss of vision.

This blindness occurs in a slow progression of symptoms until the patient can’t see anything anymore. As Retinopathy progresses the person affected will experience blurred vision, dark spots on their field of vision, and find it extremely difficult to see things clearly at night. Some patients may overlook these symptoms thinking their vision is fading due to aging or other conditions.

Retinopathy progresses through various stages. First, the obese person will experience mild nonproliferative Retinopathy, manifesting as small balloon-shaped swelling in the retina’s blood vessels. Then, in a year or less, the condition will escalate to moderate nonproliferative Retinopathy, in this stage, some blood vessels become blocked and cannot irrigate the retina. Once the person suffering from the condition has gone through this stage, if unchecked, it will develop into severe nonproliferative Retinopathy, more blood vessels in the retina will be blocked, depriving the entire area of blood. Finally, the condition will become what is known as proliferative Retinopathy. New blood vessels will start forming in the retina, leaking blood and causing blindness.

Cardiovascular Complications

Hearth diseases are a major concern among obese people with diabetes. High blood sugar levels can damage your blood vessels and also the nerves that are in charge of making the heart function as intended. The reasons why diabetics are prone to developing heart diseases at a young age include high blood pressure, extremely high cholesterol levels, and, of course, an elevated body fat percentage.

The most common Cardiovascular Complications that derive from Type 2 Diabetes are coronary artery disease, strokes, peripheral artery disease, and the feared heart attack. All of these malicious diseases can be prevented by regular physical activity, a good diet without slop, and professional help to find the appropriate medication and treatment.

Hypertension

Commonly known as high blood pressure, Hypertension is a condition that affects millions of people in America. Also known as the “silent killer”, it usually doesn’t become noticeable until significant, irreversible damage has occurred. When the blood against the walls of an obese person’s arteries is too high for a long time, Hypertension will eventually occur. Blood pressure is measured by two numbers. The first is the systolic number, which corresponds to the pressure in which the heart beats. The second is the diastolic number, which is the pressure that the heart takes between each beat. A normal reading from a non-obese person is around 120/80 mmHg.

An elevated measure that should alarm a patient would be systolic around 129 and diastolic over 80. Hypertension begins at systolic between 130- 139 and diastolic of at least 90. A hypertensive crisis will present when the numbers are systolic over 180 and/or diastolic over 120.

Causes of Hypertension

The connection between obesity and hypertension can create a dangerous cycle that is hard to get out of when an obese person is already trapped inside it because it will exacerbate the symptoms and consequences of both issues. That’s why is important to understand the potential causes of hypertension in obese and non-obese individuals, as the condition won’t act the same if obesity is not also present.

There are two main types of hypertension. Primary hypertension, which has no identifiable cause, is most likely determined by genetics and will slowly develop over the years. Secondary hypertension, on the other hand, is caused by underlying conditions such as kidney disease or hormonal disorders, both things closely related to obesity.

Obesity and Hypertension Relationship

When these two conditions co-exist in the same body, the risk to the individual’s health is high. Obesity often leads to insulin resistance, which results in higher levels of insulin in the blood. Insulin can increase blood pressure by promoting sodium retention by the kidneys and activating the sympathetic nervous system, both of which contribute to hypertension.

Obesity can also stimulate the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS), which will inevitably increase blood pressure. This process occurs because adipose tissue produces angiotensinogen, which is a precursor to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. Excess adipose tissue can stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased heart rate and vasoconstriction, which elevate blood pressure. This is particularly evident in visceral obesity, where fat accumulation around the organs intensifies this effect.

Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation. Adipose tissue secretes various pro-inflammatory cytokines, which can contribute to endothelial dysfunction, reduced nitric oxide availability, and increased vascular resistance, all of which are factors in hypertension.

Symptoms of Hypertension

Various factors contribute to hypertension, including genetics, poor diet, lack of exercise, and excessive alcohol consumption to the point of being drunk. Obesity is a significant risk factor, as excess body fat strains the heart and arteries. Hypertension can manifest in a lot of ways.

Breathlessness

Shortness of breath is a common symptom in obese people with hypertension. The excess fat will come down crunching on the lungs and diaphragm. This will make breathing a lot more difficult to breathe during physical tasks like exercising or having sex.

Chest Pain

Following what was mentioned above, chest pain will be frequent in obese individuals with hypertension who can’t breathe. This can be an indicator of angina or other heart-related complications that require immediate professional medical attention.

Sweating

Sweating is normal in healthy individuals when physical activity is done. However, obese people who suffer from hypertension will sweat even when remaining idle. This happens because the heart is working in overdrive to try to keep the obese person alive, which makes the body overheat more easily.

Fatigue

Chronic fatigue is another symptom of hypertension that is mostly present in obese individuals. The heart has to work harder to pump blood, leading to exhaustion and weakness even with minimal exertion. This constant exertion can leave the individual feeling drained and weak, impacting their quality of life and daily activities.

Complications

The number of individuals who suffer from obesity and hypertension at the same time has been going alarmingly up in America since the beginning of the century. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of obesity has nearly tripled since 1975, and it’s a big contributor to hypertension. If this trend keeps escalating, it will be a significant public health issue with no precedence, increasing the burden on healthcare systems and their economy.

Renal Issues

Obesity-related hypertension can severely harm the kidneys and their intended biological functions. This is due to the high blood pressure damaging the delicate filtering units that belong to the kidneys, causing chronic kidney disease. With enough time, this kidney disease will progress to kidney failure. When this happens there is no going back, the only solutions available are drastic, and the obese patient will require either dialysis or a kidney transplant. If there are no kidneys available from donors, the obese patient will most likely suffer a painful, ungrateful death.

Endocrine System

When the Endocrine System starts being affected by obesity, metabolic syndrome may occur. This is not limited to hypertension but is also related to high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist that won’t burn, and excessively high cholesterol levels.

All of those complications together will eventually lead to a fatal heart attack. As we discussed before, the pancreas produces insulin, which is a hormone that is crucial for glucose metabolism. What hypertension will do in an obese body is impair the insulin secretion, further increasing the risk of compromising metabolic health. The pituitary gland, also known as the “master gland” is in charge of regulating other endocrine glands and diverse bodily functions thanks to secreting hormones. Hypertension is one of the main reasons the blood flow to the pituitary gland can be obstructed, which will inevitably lead to hormonal imbalances that affect growth, reproduction, sexual health, and metabolism.

Hyperandrogenism

In obese fertile women, obesity-related hypertension can provoke the androgen receptors in the reproductive system to induce vasorelaxation and lower blood pressure. This is especially prevalent in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which, among other things, produces hirsutism in the genitals and clitoromegaly.

It has been suggested that an excess of masculine hormones in women is what may produce hyperandrogenism. While this is true, obesity-related hypertension plays a bigger role in making women look and act more masculine. This wouldn’t be a problem in itself, if it didn’t make the hormones in the obese body get completely disrupted, which may lead to loss of sexual lust and reduce fertility.

Leptin Resistance

Leptin is the hormone in charge of regulating hunger. When you have had enough to eat for someone your Body Mass Index, will send a signal to your brain indicating your stomach is full, therefore you should stop eating. Leptin will help maintain a lean physique in individuals who are not deranged. But some people, more specifically, obese people, develop a resistance to leptin that will allow them to gorge on slop without feeling ever full, and their common sense won’t tell them they have had enough and it is time time to stop.

Obese people have a lot of spare leptin in their bodies, but their bodies can’t use it as nature intended, so the feeling of being fulfilled never comes to them, their hunger is everlasting and autodestructive. It won’t happen overnight, but stuffing one’s face with slop will eventually lead to weight gain, and, if left unchecked, into morbid, crippling obesity.

From a biological point of view, more fat cells help propagate even more leptin, and an obese person’s body will also be increasingly tolerant to its effects, like an addict whose drug is no other than food. Leptin can even develop a tolerance, so more quantities of the hormone will be needed to do its nature-intended job properly. Again, just like an addiction would behave.

Sexual Dysfunction

The obesity epidemic, as time passes and the numbers keep going up, is becoming a trending concern among sexologists and professional doctors who oversee that people can sexually function as nature intended. Women are the biggest target of obesity-related sexual dysfunction and sexual complications. What are these complications and symptoms? Why are they linked? Don’t panic, we will tell you, so you can regain your sexuality even if you are an obese woman.

How Sexuality Atrophies Thanks to Obesity

The first thing that needs to be understood while tacking onto this topic is that obesity causes emotional and psychological problems such as anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, and suicide. For some, this will be manifested as becoming frigid or lacking the self-confidence to be seen naked by another person. Some obese persons don’t have sex due to emotional issues, but some of them also lose all lust towards the gender they are attracted to. Some obese women may stumble upon a stud trying to sleep with them and will turn it down because they lack the sexual drive needed to want an experience like that, which wouldn’t be wasted by a non-obese woman.

Obesity-Related Sexual Failure in Men

The second thing on the list is the physiological aspect of stopping having a desire to have sex. In men, the excess fat above the penis will trigger erectile dysfunction that wouldn’t allow him to penetrate his wife, losing her respect. Another aspect is the logistics of the love-making session. An obese man won’t have much room for action, probably making his wife uncomfortable due to the weight, awkward positions, excessive sticky sweating, and foul odor. Last but not least, it is scientifically proven obese men have smaller penises than normal men. The partner of an obese man will never be enthusiastically expecting to have sex with them, if they do it, it is most probably due to obligation or pity.

Sexual Complications on Women

There is a metric that evaluates how healthy and fulfilling a woman’s sexual desire is, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The quality of sex, sexual satisfaction, and ability to have cathartic orgasms is severely diminished when the woman starts getting obese at the peak of her sexual desire. A correlation between the morbid excess body mass index and non-fulfilling orgasms has been found in studies. The amount of sexual satisfaction obese women can experience is also diminished due to nerve damage, which may be too close to the pubic area and affect the clitoris, making it hard to masturbate, leading to sexual frustration and episodes of hypersexuality.

Obesity can affect various aspects of sexuality not just sensation. Obese women will find it harder than normal women to keep their vulvae and anus clean, due to their limbs not being able to reach their lady bits, leaving a lot of discharge and sweat inside the folds of their vulvae and anus. This will lead to a foul fish-like odor that will turn off sexual partners, becoming unwilling to penetrate them.

This will lead to insecurity about their genitals that will also extend to their overall appearance. As a person starts becoming obese, their otherwise healthy-looking sexually attractive genitals will start to change, ending up becoming non-sexually desirable, which will also bring insecurity to the obese woman. She may end up in a loop of frustration. She wants sex but doesn’t lure people into acting sexually around her because she is ashamed of what a partner may think about her vulva. She will eventually end up giving up to the lust and uncontrollable need for sexual gratification, and then while having sex, she will feel ashamed about being obese and having the vulva of an obese woman. This cycle will end in sexual frustration and a sad life that will inevitably lead to psychiatric issues down the line, even suicide.

Symptoms of Obesity-Related Sexual Dysfunction

Here are common obesity-related sexual dysfunction symptoms.

Erectile Dysfunction

There are multiple reasons why a man or a transexual woman may be incapable of having an erection. If the person with a penis failed to penetrate their partner once, it may be due to stress, or from smoking too many cigarettes that day, after taking a nap or resting for a day or two, they will probably be able to have an erection again. If the problem persists, the person unable to have an erection may look for psychological help and resolve any trauma that may be preventing them from penetrating. But obese people are beyond that, their problems reside in their bodies. Low blood pressure means less blood destined for the penis.

As we discussed before, obesity leads to low blood pressure, so is only logical that lower areas of the body don’t receive as much blood to do its sexually related functions. If a man or transexual woman starts noticing that their penis won’t become erect, doesn’t matter if their partner is directly stimulating it or trying to seduce them in some other way, it may be a clear sign that they are dealing with obesity. At this point, they may want to visit a professional to assess their level of obesity and prevent it using lifestyle changes. With the help of a professional, the owner of a penis will become able to become erect and penetrate their partner again.

Loss of Libido

The majority of people, in contrast with erectile dysfunction where the owner of the penis will one hundred percent be hyper-aware of the first time it happened, will not know they are losing their libido until is too late to gain it back. Picture a chubby girl spending their days inside her room, in front of the computer. She is a sexual person who may indulge in sexting, watching adult entertainment productions, and masturbating habits. But her habits and sedentary lifestyle don’t change, so she starts becoming more obese over the years until she reaches the morbid stage, probably with Hypertension or Type 2 Diabetes at this point. First, she would probably drop the sexting, as she will be ashamed of her body; then her hormones, incurring in a titanic quest to keep her alive, will have better things to do than sending signals of sexual needs to the body, so she will probably stop masturbating altogether.

After a while, the girl will wonder what happened, and why did she become so indifferent to sexual gratification and life in general. It was because she let herself become obese. Now nothing turns her on and doesn’t have the motivation to lose weight to look better while having sex and to look for a partner to penetrate her, because she now thinks that sex is not part of her life, she has substituted sexual gratification with food and can’t stop eating compulsively.

Periods of Hypersexuality

Lack of sex leads to sexual frustration. Obese people who haven’t lost their libido yet may be incapable of finding sexual partners that find them attractive due to their weight. Hypersexuality is a compulsive sexual behavior characterized by an excess of sexual fantasies, urges, and other deviant tendencies that can interfere with daily life and relationships.

What links obesity to hypersexuality?

Psychological factors play an important role in making people hornier. Obese people are always coping with their condition by overeating slop. They try to convince people that obesity is not a risk factor. The fat acceptance movement tries to paint obesity as something that can be beautiful. Still, in reality, something the fat acceptance movement tries to deny, obese people are on the couch suffering from depression and being unable to move or form a coherent thought of anything due to anxiety. To deal with all of these, some of them, especially obese women, the ones who can get sex, resort to changes in their sexual behavior. There is a whole different reality for obese men; no sane, non-perverted, normal-looking individual would dare to desire them sexually, and they may remain sexless for the entirety of their lives.

Biological and psychological factors may play a role in hypersexuality in obese women too. Hormonal imbalances can make women way hornier than in a base state. Leptin, insulin, estrogen, and testosterone can directly influence sexual ideation and the drive to act on it. Additionally, conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women can exacerbate these effects.

It’s paradoxical, but some obese women may engage in hypersexuality despite having low self-esteem. This behavior can be a way to gain external validation and temporarily boost self-worth. Seeking external validation through sexual encounters can become a cycle for obese women. The temporary boost in self-esteem from sexual activities can lead to repeated behaviors, contributing to periods of hypersexuality.

Non-Appealing Genitals

When a woman becomes obese, her body undergoes many changes due to the excess fat. This fat can be distributed throughout the body, affecting various tissues and organs, including the genitals. For women, these changes can be particularly noticeable and may influence their physical appearance and sexual health.

Obesity can lead to the accumulation of body fat in the mons pubis, causing what is known as Fat Upper Pubic Area (FUPA), making the upper part of the vulva look larger and way more prominent. The FUPA can be fixed with cosmetic surgery. Lots of fat in the genital area will also make the labia majora thicker and darker due to skin pigmentation and increased sweating, which may provoke a fish-like horrid odor. The genitals of an obese woman will be less aesthetically pleasing than a normal set of genitals from a healthy woman.

These changes in genitalia can also affect men. As fat accumulates in the lower abdomen area, the penis will reduce its size, making it unappealing to women. The functional length during an erection can be impacted, potentially affecting sexual performance and satisfaction, causing women to laugh at the obese man’s penis or tell her friends about it, which is a public humiliation he will never recover from.

Complications

Being obese has consequences for sexual health, we already discussed that. But what happens if the obese patient doesn’t care about sexual dysfunction and overlooks getting treatment to better their sex life? Things can get complicated. As with any other condition, obesity-related sexual dysfunction can also come with complications.

Infertility

Obese men may present a decreased sperm quality and quantity. An excessive Body Mass Index will interfere with the hormones responsible for sperm production. This is why some obese men struggle to get their women pregnant even if they try as much as their obesity allows them to.

In women, obesity can lead to an irregular menstrual cycle or the complete absence of menstruation. This will also be accompanied by a lack of ovulation, which means the woman will fail to produce fertile eggs to be inseminated. Furthermore, if the obese woman manages somehow to become pregnant, the birth will be considered to be high risk due to the myriad of health complications derived from obesity that can also affect the unborn child.

Hypogonadism

This medical condition, which is a complication of obesity-related sexual dysfunction, is characterized by the insufficient production of testosterone, which is the main sexual hormone in men and transexual women. The testes stop working properly once they detect the body is in a deranged state thanks to obesity. Testosterone plays a role in bodily functions, including the development of secondary sexual characteristics and regulating sexual desire.

Both men and women benefit from having the correct levels of testosterone. Their mental health and overall well-being depend on this precious hormone. In healthy, non-obese men, it helps develop genitals from kid to adult, promotes sperm production, and helps the individual feel lust. Muscle mass, bone density, and a stoic mood, masculine traits that sometimes people take as a given, are also regulated by proper levels of testosterone production.

Primary Hypogonadism

This type of hypogonadism may present itself when there is a primarily physiological problem in the testicles, which may lead to insufficient testosterone production. The causes for primary hypogonadism are not precisely obesity, it has more to do with actual genetic conditions, trauma, infection, or after a session of chemotherapy.

Secondary Hypogonadism

On the other hand, this type of hypogonadism has obesity as the leading cause. Excess body fat index in obese individuals will have an impact on their sexual hormone levels. Fat leads to an increase in estrogen production, which is not good for either men or women. These hormones are expected to fluctuate its production with age, losing sexual appetite and functionality is part of getting old, but in obese people, this can accelerate to the point where, otherwise healthy, 20-year-olds may be already having problems getting aroused, thanks to obesity.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a disease characterized by joints where the cartilage’s job is to cushion the area where the bones touch disappears. This damages the tissue around the bones, which will cause pain, external and internal swelling, and reduced mobility. Obesity is one of the main causes of Osteoarthritis. It doesn’t just cause it but makes it worse quite quickly. Knees and hips will receive the most damage, as they are weight-bearing bones trying their hardest to hold the obese body together.

It is the most common form of arthritis, as it can affect any joint in an obese body, but in addition to the knees and hips, it also commonly affects the hands and the spine. If you stare at obese people carefully, paying attention to each one of their attempts at moving, you will notice they will struggle to grab onto something or to stay completely vertical.

Obesity as a Cause of Osteoarthritis

Even if doctors already know various factors contribute to the development of Osteoarthritis, such as aging, joint injury, and genetics, the leading cause for it is obesity, as no other thing will put more stress on the bones in charge of keeping the body still kind of looking like a human body than being overweight. This added stress accelerates the cartilage’s wear and tear, leading to osteoarthritis symptoms.

Being obese doesn’t only increase the mechanical load that hangs over the joints, it will also cause inflammation around them. Fat tissue that has been poisoning the body for a long time will produce a protein called cytokines. This will signal the brain that the limbs and other joints are not being used, so storing more fat in them is okay. That’s why some obese people have grotesque folds hanging from their knees, like taken out of a horrific caricature.

It’s important to remember that each pound of excess fat puts about four pounds of extra pressure on the knees. This will accelerate the degeneration of cartilage, rendering the obese person unable to stand on their feet. The obese person won’t care, they may even be happy because their lifestyle is about to become more sedentary, creating a vicious cycle that will accelerate joint deterioration until the point of no return.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

Being able to recognize the symptoms would make a significant difference in trying to fight the disease with great odds of succeeding. The patient will never be the same, but they may be able to regain a little bit of their former quality of life.

Joint Pain and Reduced Mobility

If the obese person is experiencing a sharp, intense, debilitating pain, and this pain gets way worse at the minimum attempt at physical activity. They will only feel better when lying down, so you may be able to spot them rotting on a bed or couch.

Stiffness, especially after periods of severe inactivity like waking up in the morning and not leaving the bed until the need to pee manifests, in case the obese person is still not at the point of peeing themselves without any care or sense of hygiene, will be incapacitating, and will signal to osteoarthritis without a doubt. This stiffness can make daily tasks, such as climbing stairs or opening jars, challenging.

Crepitus

When a joint is unable to undertake the most basic of tasks due to osteoarthritis. If the obese person notices a popping or crackling sound when she is trying to move one of her joints, that right there is crepitus. Crepitus is just that: the crackling and popping sound produced by joints. It can also occur in the lungs. Crepitus only becomes a problem in an obese body, because air bubbles get trapped in the joint special fluid and there is a lot of friction between the bone and cartilage.

Obesity will increase the pressure on the joints. This excess pressure can lead to quicker wear and tear of cartilage. Many obese individuals experience pain and discomfort while the sounds are audible, physical activity will make it worse. The obese person will be afraid of moving, entering a cycle of inactivity and self-harm that is hard to come out of.

Loss of Flexibility

Everyone can agree that flexibility is an essential part of our daily lives. Flexibility is what enables us to move around freely and perform a lot of physical tasks without breaking a sweat. Obese people can no longer do things like that, they are ridden with Osteoarthritis, which targets cartilage in joints, degrading them until they stop functioning properly. The obese person won’t be able to move their limbs, living in a waking vegetative state.

In the advanced stages of osteoarthritis, substantial loss of cartilage leads to significant pain and limited joint movement, causing swelling and deformity in the affected joints and restricting flexibility and mobility severely.

Complications

The distribution of body fat in obese individuals affects joint strain. Central obesity, excess abdominal fat, shifts the body’s center of gravity, stressing the lower back and hip joints. This uneven weight distribution leads to misalignment, increased pressure on joints, and worsening osteoarthritis symptoms. Managing weight through diet and exercise is crucial for reducing joint burden and slowing osteoarthritis progression.

Skin Infection and Irritation

Excess skin and folds in individuals with obesity can lead to bacterial and fungal infections, especially in areas with skin-to-skin contact such as the vulva and anus. These areas provide a warm and moist environment that promotes the growth of microorganisms, leading to infections that can cause discomfort and health issues. One common condition is intertrigo, an inflammation in skin folds due to friction, moisture, and the proliferation of bacteria or fungi. Symptoms of intertrigo include redness, itching, and a rash, which can become severe and painful if left untreated.

Effective prevention strategies focus on maintaining good hygiene and keeping the skin as dry as possible. This includes regularly cleaning affected areas with mild soap and water, thoroughly drying the skin, and using moisture-absorbing powders or antiperspirants to reduce sweat accumulation. Additionally, wearing loose-fitting, breathable clothing can help minimize friction and moisture build-up. Applying topical antifungal or antibacterial treatments may sometimes be necessary to combat existing infections or prevent their onset. These measures, combined with regular monitoring of skin health, can significantly reduce the incidence of infections in individuals with obesity, improving their overall well-being and quality of life.

Psychological Impact

Obesity-related osteoarthritis can lead to physical changes in the area between the legs and discomfort, impacting mental health. Body shape alterations in the lower parts, swelling, and increased fat deposition may cause self-consciousness and negative body image. This is accompanied by chronic pain and mobility limitations, further diminishing quality of life and self-esteem, and affecting intimate relationships.

In addition, osteoarthritis often leads to chronic pain and limited mobility, which can cause feelings of loneliness, helplessness, depression, and anxiety. The resulting social withdrawal can worsen depressive symptoms and increase anxiety, creating a harmful cycle that affects mental health. It is important to address these emotional challenges for overall well-being.

Impact on Sexual Health

Obesity-related osteoarthritis can impact sexual health, creating physical and emotional barriers to intimacy. Pain and inflammation in the joints, particularly in the pelvic region, can reduce circulation to the genital area, leading to decreased sexual desire and discomfort during intercourse. This can strain intimate relationships, causing emotional distress for both partners.

Addressing these issues requires open communication with partners, exploring alternative methods of physical affection, seeking medical advice, and receiving counseling. Trapped in the cycle of horrific challenges of obesity-related osteoarthritis, this method can bring a little happiness to the obese person incapable of showing affection via sex, maintaining emotional intimacy, and sexual satisfaction.

Medical Interventions

Managing osteoarthritis and its related issues requires medical interventions, which play a critical role in providing relief and enhancing the overall quality of life for individuals dealing with this condition. One of the primary treatment options for many people is the use of medications such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These medications are effective in reducing pain and inflammation in the affected joints, leading to improved mobility and decreased discomfort.

For more severe cases, corticosteroid injections can be a valuable option. These injections directly target and reduce inflammation in the problematic joints, offering significant relief. In situations where conservative treatments are not effective, surgical interventions like joint replacement or arthroscopy may be necessary. These surgical options can help restore function and alleviate pain for those dealing with severe osteoarthritis.

Complications in the genital area due to osteoarthritis from obesity may require specific medical treatments. Conditions like intertrigo, which causes inflammation and infection in skin folds, may need topical steroids to reduce inflammation and antifungal creams to fight fungal infections. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove excess skin and prevent recurring infections.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obesity-related obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious condition that significantly impacts overall well-being.

When combined with obesity, its effects can extend beyond typical symptoms and influence various bodily functions, including those related to any kind of anatomical health, especially in those areas where the sun is unable to reach anymore.

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. These interruptions, known as apneas, occur when the muscles at the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open, leading to partial or complete blockage. OSA can be caused by various factors, including anatomical abnormalities such as a narrow airway, excessive tissue at the back of the throat, or a large neck circumference, prevalent in obese people. Additionally, lifestyle factors such as obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and certain medications can also contribute to the development of OSA.

Common symptoms of OSA include loud and chronic snoring, gasping or choking for air during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and even depression. If left untreated, OSA can have serious health implications, including an increased risk of hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It is important to seek medical evaluation if you suspect you or someone you know may have OSA.

Link Between Obesity and Sleep Apnea

Excess fat around the upper airway due to obesity significantly raises the likelihood of obstructive sleep apnea. It has been proven that obese individuals face a substantially higher risk of developing OSA compared to those at a healthy weight. This is primarily attributed to the accumulation of fat in the neck and throat area, leading to airway constriction and an increased potential for airway collapse during sleep.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Symptoms

It is important to be aware of the symptoms associated with OSA in the population of obese individuals. These symptoms may include not only general indicators such as excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, and witnessed breathing interruptions during sleep, but also specific issues related to private health, such as inflammation, itching, or discomfort. Recognizing these symptoms allows morbidly obese individuals to seek appropriate medical attention for a thorough diagnosis of their fatness and effective management of the condition.

Severe Snoring

Regular snoring may happen now and then without causing too much trouble, but severe snoring is much louder and happens more often. It can also be accompanied by choking or gasping sounds during sleep, which is often linked to obstructive sleep apnea.

If severe snoring is not treated, especially if it’s a sign of OSA, it can lead to serious health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and a higher risk of stroke. Making lifestyle changes such as managing weight, avoiding alcohol and addictive sedatives such as Clonazepam and Lorazepam before bedtime, and sleeping on your side can sometimes help reduce the severity of snoring. Oral appliances and surgical interventions can help manage obstructive sleep apnea.

Frequent Awakenings During the Night

In the context of sleep, envision the body of an obese person as a finely tuned orchestral ensemble, where each component plays a crucial role in preserving balance. When the airway experiences obstruction during sleep, it initiates a sequential disturbance within the body, interrupting the harmony of restorative repose.

The experience of being abruptly awakened from deep sleep due to a sudden gasp for air can have profound and far-reaching effects on daily functioning. Persistent sleep disruptions result in consequences that extend into one’s daily activities. The cognitive ability to focus becomes a rare and fleeting occurrence amidst persistent exhaustion. Emotional stability becomes precarious, as mood swings threaten to disrupt interpersonal interactions. The increased risk of accidents underscores the impact of sleep deprivation on overall well-being and safety, as the mind and body suffer from a lack of restorative deep sleep.

Daytime Fatigue

Daytime fatigue in patients with obstructive sleep apnea is caused by recurring interruptions in sleep resulting from a partial or complete blockage of the upper airway during sleep. These interruptions lead to fragmented sleep patterns, preventing individuals from obtaining the restorative rest needed for optimal functioning during waking hours.

Coping strategies include making lifestyle changes and using therapeutic interventions to improve sleep quality and increase alertness during the day. Taking short naps during the day, if planned carefully, can help boost energy and reduce feelings of fatigue. It’s also important to stick to a regular sleep schedule with consistent bedtime and wake-up times to help regulate the body’s internal clock and encourage restful sleep.

Increased Susceptibility to Infections

The immune system’s function can be compromised in people with morbid obesity and obstructive sleep apnea, leading to weakened immune responses and increased susceptibility to infections. Chronic inflammation from obesity and disrupted sleep from OSA can impair immune function and respiratory function, increasing the risk of infections.

The gut microbiota, consisting of trillions of microorganisms, plays a vital role in maintaining immune balance. Obesity and OSA can change the gut microbiota, potentially disrupting immune function and increasing susceptibility to infections. Obesity creates an optimal environment for the growth of harmful microorganisms, while compromised immune function due to OSA increases the risk of skin and respiratory infections. Obesity and OSA can increase the risk of urinary tract infections and surgical site infections in individuals undergoing surgical procedures.

Complications

Obesity is a significant risk factor for the development of obstructive sleep apnea. When a person carries excess fat around their neck, it can lead to the narrowing or obstruction of the airway during sleep, which worsens the symptoms of sleep apnea.

Cardiovascular Risks

Sleep apnea disrupts the normal rhythm of breathing during sleep, leading to oxygen deprivation and impacting the cardiovascular system. This condition can lead to increased strain on the heart due to reduced oxygen levels, potentially contributing to hypertension. The effects of sleep apnea on the coronary arteries are similar to the impact on other blood vessels, potentially leading to constriction due to decreased oxygen availability.

Hypertension, a frequently asymptomatic condition, quietly undermines health, extending its reach to unsuspecting individuals. Coronary artery disease, characterized as a covert assailant, stealthily diminishes the essential elements of vitality and strength. Stroke, with its unforgiving blow of destiny, imperils the very essence of existence.

Cognitive Impairment

The association between obesity and cognitive impairment necessitates thorough examination and widespread dissemination within the medical community. While obesity can pose challenges, reducing intelligence to physical stature alone is an oversimplification that requires careful investigation. Furthermore, chronic sleep deprivation resulting from untreated sleep apnea can significantly impact cognitive function, leading to drowsiness and impaired concentration.

This intricate relationship between physiological conditions and cognitive sharpness emphasizes the essential role of comprehensive medical care and intervention. It is important to refrain from making generalizations such as “obese people are dumb,” as these statements oversimplify complex issues and do not reflect the full range of factors affecting cognitive function.

The Journey to Wellness

In the journey to wellness, change is inevitable. Just as a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, obese people too can transform. Embracing discomfort and recognizing that growth comes from it are as important as nothing else in life. Our beliefs shape our reality. For many, obesity reflects deep-seated beliefs about self-worth. Reclaiming your health and happiness hinges on conquering these beliefs.

The guidance and support of healthcare professionals like Dr. Choi are invaluable. Effective healthcare involves a collaborative journey between the patient and Dr. Choi, marked by open communication and a shared commitment to optimal health outcomes. As we conclude our exploration of the top 5 health conditions related to obesity, let us remember that with the support of dedicated healthcare professionals like Dr. Choi, we can embark on this journey with hope and determination.

Doctor’s Role in Managing Obesity

Healthcare professionals, particularly Dr. Choi, play a pivotal role in providing essential guidance, support, and expertise in the treatment of obesity and its related health issues. Adopting healthy behaviors, such as adhering to a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and effectively managing stress, can significantly impact the treatment of obesity. Overcoming self-imposed limitations requires self-reflection, support from healthcare professionals, and a resolute commitment to challenging and altering negative thought patterns.

During medical consultations, Dr. Choi himself will evaluate your medical history, explore various treatment options, and formulate individualized strategies to assist you in achieving your weight management objectives. Although obesity presents a multifaceted challenge, with a steadfast commitment to lifestyle modifications and medical intervention, substantial enhancements in health and weight management can be realized.