Maintaining a healthy weight is vital for your confidence and self-esteem and your overall health and wellbeing. However, obesity still affects the majority of Americans, increasing their risks for some health complications. Family practice physician Kalpana Desai, MD, offers weight management in Lady Lake and can help you learn how to shed some pounds off your body. It will improve your physique and help you minimize your risks for certain health complications, as outlined below. Have a look.
Heart Disease and Stroke
Research has found that heart disease and stroke are more prevalent in people who are overweight and obese. The fatty deposits can accumulate in the arteries supplying blood to the heart over time, increasing blood pressure, blood sugar, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. All these factors contribute to heart disease, narrow the arteries, and cause blood clots, increasing the risk of stroke. But you can minimize the risks by maintaining a healthy weight.
Type 2 Diabetes
Obesity causes your blood sugars to be higher than usual, as mentioned earlier, which increases your chances of developing type 2 diabetes. If it stays unmanaged, it can lead to other health issues such as kidney disease, heart disease, nerve damage, and vision complications. Fortunately, losing about 5-7 % of your body weight can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Additionally, it is helpful to maintain a regular moderate exercise regime to help maintain your healthy weight.
Sleep Apnea
Many patients who are obese are often diagnosed with sleep apnea that causes stoppage of breathing momentarily while asleep. Having extra fat around the neck may cause your airway to shrink, leading to snoring and breathing difficulties. But losing weight will help eliminate the fat deposits stored in your neck, lowering your sleep apnea risks.
Liver Disease
People with unhealthy weight are at greater risk of developing a specific liver disease known as a fatty liver disease that develops when excess fat builds up in the liver. It can cause the growth of scar tissue or damage the liver. The symptoms of fatty liver disease are not apparent, and the only best way to manage the condition is to avoid alcohol consumption, exercise, and lose weight.
High Blood Pressure
More nutrients and oxygen will be required for those with extra fat tissues in your body, and your blood vessels will have to circulate more blood to the extra tissue. This makes your heart work faster than average and pumps blood harder around the body, putting additional pressure on the arteries wall. Over time, this can damage the arteries and the heart. But maintaining a healthy weight will minimize these risks and improve your life’s quality.
Pregnancy Complications
A pregnant woman who is obese is at much risk of developing high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and high blood pressure. This increases the risk for other complications such as blood clots, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, premature birth, stillbirth, heavier bleeding, or miscarriage. Your doctor will advise you on losing some weight and maintaining a healthy weight if you are obese to increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy.
Let the pain management specialists at Integrated Family Medical Center help you understand how you can benefit from attaining a healthy weight. Your provider will also assess your risks for certain health complications, such as those mentioned earlier.
