10 Signs that you may be obese

10 Signs that you may be obese 

Obesity negatively impacts the health of women in many ways. Studies suggest that being overweight or obese increases the relative risk of diabetes and coronary artery disease in women. 

Women who are obese have a higher risk of low back pain and knee osteoarthritis. Obesity negatively affects both contraception and fertility as well. "Maternal obesity is linked with higher rates of cesarean section as well as higher rates of high-risk obstetrical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. It is therefore very important to understand the signs of obesity and take preventive measures before it is too late", points Dr Ramen Goel, Senior Bariatric Surgeon and Head of Bariatric surgery, Nova Specialty Surgery, Mumbai.

Shortness of breath: Obese people find it difficult to move around effortlessly. The fat around the neck and chest due to obesity leads to short, shallow breaths. Therefore obese people get out of breath very easily. The extra fat makes it difficult for air to flow easily in and out of your lungs.

Aching knees: Weight gain puts extra pressure on knees and ankles making them work harder. These joints and muscles in the legs and lower back maybecome sore and stiff. It can also affect posture in the long run.

Depression: obesity leads to depression in many patients. This is applicable not just to those who are actually obese but also to those who think they are fat. Obese individuals feel embarrassed, afraid of victimization. They can become social recluse. All these signs can lead the person towards depression.

Heartburn: Being overweight can contribute to symptoms of heartburn. Symptoms of heartburn include a burning sensation, pressure or pain between the breastbone and the throat area. Excess fat can put pressure on the digestive system and cause stomach contents to be pushed up towards the esophagus. High fat and high calorie diets contribute to acid reflux as well as obesity.

Snoring: Snoring is caused by the vibration of the soft tissue in your throat and neck as you breathe in. Obesity can increase your risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea particularly if you have a large amount of fat around your neck. People with a neck circumference of more than 43cm (17 inches) usually snore a lot.

High BP: The growing prevalence of obesity is increasingly recognized as one of the most important risk factors for the development of hypertension. This epidemic of obesity and obesity-related hypertension is paralleled by an alarming increase in the incidence of diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Obesity and in particular central obesity have been consistently associated with hypertension and increased cardiovascular risk. Based on population studies, risk estimates indicate that at least two-thirds of the prevalence of hypertension can be directly attributed to obesity.

Backache: Increasingly people are seeking the advice of orthopedic surgeons because of obesity and their back pain. The three most common diagnoses in obesepatients include degenerative disc disease, which includes wear and tear of the disc itself; spondylolisthesis, which is a slippage in the lower back from wear and tear; and a disc rupture or herniation. Obese patients are also at an increased risk of developing spondylolysis, a fracture in the vertebrae, and spinal stenosis, which is narrowing of the spinal canal.

Skin problems: Obesity may cause skin problems due to several factors. Changes in hormones may cause darkened, velvety areas of the neck and body folds, while stretching of the skin may result in stretch marks. Retained moisture in body folds encourages the growth of bacteria and fungi, leading to skin rashes and potential breakdown and a variety of infections. The foot may develop corns and calluses due to the increased weight.

Varicose veins: Varicose veins are abnormal, dilated blood vessels caused by a weakening in the vessel wall. They might appear as clusters of blue or purple veins and are sometimes surrounded by thin red capillaries known as spider veins. Obesity is one of the main risk factors besides family history, age, gender, pregnancy and lack of movement for development of varicose veins.Cleveland clinic estimates that almost 50 percent of women between 40 and 50 years of age, and nearly 75 percent of women between 60 and 70 years of age have these surface leg veins.

Irregular periods: One known cause of an irregular period is a significant change in body weight. Obesity is associated with an increased risk for absence of a period, infrequent period, absence of ovulation, and a heavy or long period. This is because the extra fat can upset the balance of hormones in your body
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