One of the reasons why obesity is such a huge health concern is that it often goes hand-in-hand with other major health problems. More than one-third of adults in the U.S. are obese, which means that many people already have or are facing the risks of developing serious weight-related conditions.
Taking care of your health by managing your weight is one of the best things you can do to maximize your opportunity to live a long, healthy, and enjoyable life.
In many cases, losing weight improves these other conditions significantly if not completely. But for those with a body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher, losing weight with diet and exercise may not be possible. Weight loss surgery may be necessary to help you lose weight initially, thus starting you on your journey toward better overall health.
Health Conditions Likely to Improve With Weight Loss
What health conditions are we talking about specifically?
Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is one of the biggest health risks of obesity. While some people are genetically predisposed to diabetes, Type 2 diabetes is frequently linked to preventable causes, like obesity. It occurs because being obese puts extra stress on cells, which affects insulin receptors. Common symptoms of diabetes include extreme thirst, frequent urination, headaches, and infections that take a long time to heal.
High Blood Pressure
Having too much body fat means your heart has to work harder to circulate your blood. This puts pressure on the walls of the arteries. High blood pressure doesn’t always result in obvious symptoms, so you should talk to your doctor if you’re at risk for this condition.
Sleep Apnea
This is a serious condition that causes you to stop breathing for a few seconds at a time. Sleep apnea not only reduces your quality of sleep, but it can also deprive your brain of oxygen, which can result in life-threatening health problems.
Cancer
Everyone has some risk of cancer, but being obese can significantly increase the risks, particularly specific types of cancer, such as kidney cancer, esophageal cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer.
Heart Disease
One of the better-known complications associated with obesity, heart disease continues to be one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Heart disease is a broad term used to describe conditions such as a heart attack, stroke, high cholesterol, and several other conditions.
Osteoarthritis
The additional weight and strain that an obese person puts on his or her joints can lead to a number of conditions, including osteoarthritis. This condition is defined by the wearing down of cartilage in the joints, leading to pain, reduced mobility, and numbness throughout various parts of the body.
Why It’s Important to Have Weight Loss Surgery Now
Obesity is considered a progressive disease because the excess weight gain causes a number of hormonal and metabolic changes. These changes increase the risk for even greater fat accumulation over time, making it difficult to fight using diet and exercise alone. The conditions mentioned above can possibly be managed to some extent through medications, but they will most likely not improve or go away without weight loss.
We are so thankful to have the opportunity to offer several weight loss surgery options that can save lives! At Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery, we work to educate our patients on their options, as well as life after surgery.
To learn more about how to improve your health, schedule a consultation with BMI Surgery today!
The caring group of professionals at Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery will help you get started on your weight loss journey and stay with you every step along the way. Dr. Long and his team specialize in all types of bariatric surgery, including gastric sleeve surgery, gastric bypass, and the LAP-BAND. Visit us today at http://www.bmisurgery.com/ or give us a call to set up a consultation at 205-833-6907.
