obesity

Symptoms Obesity

Related articles: Obesity

Definition

Obesity is a condition characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat. This represents an important risk factor for the development of serious diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, various cancers, cholelithiasis, steatosis and cirrhosis of the liver, osteoarthritis, reproductive disorders and premature death.

Almost all cases of obesity are the result of a combination of genetic predisposition and incorrect lifestyles (high calorie diet and physical inactivity). In particular, a chronic imbalance between energy intake and consumption occurs.

Foods with high lipid content, processed products and diets high in refined carbohydrates, soft drinks and alcohol - together with a sedentary lifestyle - promote weight gain.

More rarely, obesity is caused by eating disorders (binge eating disorder - BED), genetic conditions (eg Prader Willi syndrome) or by endocrine diseases such as Cushing's syndrome (causes hypercortisolism) and a malfunctioning thyroid (hypothyroidism).

Other situations that can be associated with excessive weight gain are polycystic ovary syndrome and the use of certain drugs, including antidepressants, antipsychotics and corticosteroids.

Weight gain can also be caused by hyperinsulinism (pancreatic tumors) or brain damage (in particular, secondary to cancer or hypothalamic infection) that can stimulate the consumption of excess calories.

Most common symptoms and signs *

  • Changes in the menstrual cycle
  • Amenorrhea
  • Arrhythmia
  • Asthenia
  • Increased appetite
  • Weight gain
  • Great child for gestational age
  • Bromhidrosis
  • Decline in sexual desire
  • Cardiomegaly
  • palpitations
  • Catalepsy
  • Swollen ankles
  • cruralgia
  • Depression
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Bladder dysfunction
  • Dyspnoea
  • Abdominal distention
  • Knee pain
  • Chest pain
  • Hip pain
  • Articolar pains
  • Postpartum hemorrhage
  • Erythema
  • Skin erosion
  • Shortness of breath
  • Swollen legs
  • Legs tired, heavy legs
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Insomnia
  • insulin Resistance
  • Hypercapnia
  • hyperphagia
  • Hyperglycemia
  • Hyperhidrosis
  • Hypertension
  • Hypertriglyceridemia
  • Hyperuricemia
  • infertility
  • Hypoxia
  • Social isolation
  • Lymphedema
  • Backache
  • Bedsores
  • Uterine prolapse
  • itch
  • Rheumatism
  • Penis size reduction
  • Acid regurgitation
  • Snoring
  • Sense of suffocation
  • Nephrotic syndrome
  • Drowsiness
  • Cracked Heels

Further indications

The consequences of obesity depend not only on the absolute amount of excess fat, but also on its distribution.

An excessive accumulation of body fat determines a series of short and medium-long term consequences.

Obesity carries an increased risk of developing joint problems (pain in the back, knees and even), which can develop into arthrosis and circulatory disorders (such as venous and lymphatic edema, venous insufficiency and cellulite). People with many extra pounds have wheezing after a low intensity physical activity and sweat profusely.

If excess fat in the neck compresses the airways while you sleep, an obstructive sleep apnea may appear; this disorder can cause snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Increased sweating and secretions retained in the skin folds make intertriginous infections and other skin disorders particularly frequent.

Obesity is also a risk factor for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (which can lead to cirrhosis of the liver) and reproductive system disorders such as low testosterone levels in men and polycystic ovary syndrome in women.

The excess weight also predisposes to gastroesophageal reflux, cholelithiasis, gout, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and various malignant tumors (especially colon and breast cancer).

In the long term, obesity may predispose to dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and arterial hypertension (metabolic syndrome), which often lead to type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary artery disease, stroke and myocardial infarction. Moreover, obesity leads to social and psychological problems.

The diagnosis is based on the body mass index (BMI, calculated by dividing the weight in kg by the square of the height expressed in meters) and on the measurement of the waist circumference; the World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity with a BMI equal to or greater than 30. In some cases, body composition analysis must be performed.

Fasting blood glucose and lipaemia should be measured systematically in patients with a large waist circumference or a family history positive for type 2 diabetes mellitus or for premature cardiovascular disease.

The treatment of obesity consists in the reduction of body weight, to be carried out under strict medical supervision, following a correct diet and carrying out a regular program of physical activity, appropriate to one's possibilities. In some cases, the use of drugs is foreseen (eg sibutramine and orlistat). In patients with severe forms of obesity, an alternative is bariatric surgery.

If left untreated, obesity tends to get worse. After weight loss, most people return to pre-treatment weight within 5 years. Consequently, obesity requires a permanent management program similar to that of any other chronic disorder.

Regular physical activity and a healthy diet improve physical fitness, allow weight to be controlled and help prevent diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Sufficient and good night sleep, stress management and moderation in alcohol consumption can help improve general conditions.