Severe Overweight: Deadly Health Complications

Cardiovascular

Overweight increases risk for heart attacks and heart failure. This can occur on the left side of the heart from having to pump blood through so much tissue or on the right side from an inability to lift the chest wall because of weight. Obese people don’t oxygenate well because the blood vessels in the lungs squeeze down and the right side of the heart has trouble pumping. This also leads to strokes from high blood pressure.

Cancer

Obesity increases cancer risk, especially of the colon, breast, or uterus. This is primarily because of the increased estrogen production from fat tissue.

Lipid Problems

Increased triglycerides lead to pancreas and heart diseases. Increased cholesterol levels lead to heart disease and gall bladder problems.

Type 2 Diabetes

Eighty percent of those who suffer from adult-onset diabetes are overweight. The great majority of the sufferers of this disease could cure themselves by getting down to their ideal body weight, watching their diet, and exercising properly.

Joint, Tendon, and Back Problems

Such problems are far common in heavy people. Knees, ankles, and back are especially vulnerable.

Pregnancy Complications

Overweight mothers are more prone to having large, difficult-to-deliver babies, gestational diabetes, blood pressure problems, and convulsions. Obesity presents a risk for both mother and child.

Surgical Risks

Obese patients are poor surgical candidates. They don’t heal well, they are prone to infections, they are anesthetic risks, and they are more at risk from blood clots.

Aging

Because of these stresses on the body, overweight people do not age well.

A diet is a lifestyle change, and any lifestyle change – even a healthy one – will put stress on the body. Therefore, it’s important that your doctor give you a physical examination before you begin dieting.

Risk factors to watch for including heart attack or stroke history, blood clotting history, liver or kidney disease, cancer not in remission, acute psychiatric disorder, type 1 diabetes. Being overweight puts patients with these disorders at a much higher risk than losing the weight would, but these patients should be monitored very closely.

Cancer FAQ: Doc, How Long Do I Have?

For many people, the question “How long do I have?” is the first thing that comes to mind when there’s a diagnosis of cancer. Unfortunately, there’s no clear-cut answer.

What’s known is that every year about one million people are told they have some form of cancer, and treatments are capable of curing more than half of them.

Some cancers are easier to treat than others. And while many people experience a complete recovery, others may live for a time with their cancer well controlled.

One way your doctor may try to address this question is to look at the 1-, 5- and 10-year survival statistics for people who have the same type, stage and grade of cancer you do.

But keep in mind that these are averages. Contributing to the averages are a small number of people who do far better (and some who do worse) for reasons that aren’t understood.

The initial moments after receiving a cancer diagnosis are often clouded. Studies show that when people in this situation are asked what they discussed with their doctors, they remember less than five percent of what was said.

What can you do?

If possible, bring with you to your appointments someone who’s reliable and can help you unscramble the information. Have that person take notes, or ask your doctor if you can tape-record your conversations for review later. In addition, request a copy of your diagnostic report, which is part of your medical record.

A cancer diagnosis raises serious considerations. It’s reasonable to seek a second opinion, especially if there’s a major cancer center or university that has particular expertise with your type of cancer.

In discussing your treatment options, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Ask about risks and benefits associated with treatment, as well as side effects. And talk about what the quality of your daily life may be like during and after treatment.

Ultimately, how you’ll do is unique to you, because cancer is an individual experience. Much depends on how you respond to treatment for your particular cancer.

Read More: http://healthmad.com/conditions-and-diseases/so-doctor-how-long-do-i-have/