Morbid obesity Complications, diagnosis and treatment
Morbid obesity can be defined as a BMI of 40 or more or being between 50-100% more than your ideal or normal body weight or weighing more than 100 pounds over your ideal weight. Diagnostic testing of morbid obesity involves exhaustive analysis of medical history, diet and exercise patterns, physical examination, body fat content tests, etc. Morbid obesity is accompanied by a number of life-threatening health complications including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease or type 2 diabetes among others.
Morbid obesity Complications, diagnosis and treatment
There are a number of life threatening health risks that are directly associated with morbid obesity. This is why a morbidly obese person urgently needs to participate in clinical weight loss programs as well as adhere to strict lifestyle changes like calorie-controlled diet and regular physical exercise.
When to seek medical advice for morbid obesity?
Obesity can be defined as an excessive proportion of the total fat in your body. An obese individual is one whose weight is 20% or more than what is considered to be his/her normal body weight. Obesity can be measured with the help of Body Mass Index (BMI), a comparison of body weight in kilograms and height in meters. You can be considered overweight or pre-obese if you have a BMI of 25 or more and obese if your BMI is 30 or more. Persons suffering from morbid obesity have a BMI of 40 or more. Morbid obesity can also be defined as being between 50-100% more than your ideal or normal body weight or weighing more than 100 pounds over your ideal weight.
If you suffer from morbid obesity you should seek immediate medical help because this serious health condition can have an negatively impact your overall health and prevent your body from functioning normally. There are a number of life threatening health risks that are directly associated with morbid obesity. This is why a morbidly obese person urgently needs to participate in clinical weight loss programmes such as medically managed obesity treatment, prescription weight loss medications, bariatric surgical intervention, in conjunction with essential lifestyle modifications such as getting regular physical exercise, having a low calorie diet as well as adopting behavioural modification practices such as avoiding binge eating, etc. Any treatment program for getting rid of morbid obesity needs to be undertaken only under the supervision of a doctor.
Medically managed obesity treatment takes place in a clinical setting and is provided by a licensed healthcare provider such as a registered dietician, nurse, medical doctor or psychologist. These programs usually offer weight loss services such as behavioural therapy, nutrition education, total meal replacement and physical activity. Weight loss medications are recommended to be used in conjunction with traditional anti-obesity treatments such as regular physical exercise, behavioural modification practices and low calorie diets. Bariatric surgical intervention is used for treating morbid obesity; it consists of techniques such as gastric bypass, gastric banding and biliopancreatic diversion. Weight loss surgery, however, is complicated and has a number of potential risks. After losing weight with the help of surgery, you need to maintain your weight loss by incorporating healthy physical, psychological and behavioural changes in your lifestyle.
Diagnostic tests for morbid obesity
Your doctor or healthcare provider needs to determine the level and kind of obesity you suffer from before prescribing an appropriate treatment for you. There will be an exhaustive analysis of your individual and family medical history, specifically with regard to genetic obesity. You will also need to provide details of your diet and exercise patterns along with the amount and kind of foods you consume on a daily basis. You will be questioned about other symptoms of morbid obesity such as difficulty in breathing and sleeping patterns. You will also have to undergo a thorough physical examination to identify potential medical causes of morbid obesity. The degree of obesity you suffer from will be determined by your weight and height. Your doctor may ask you to undergo diagnostic tests for assessing the amount of fat in your body or to rule out the possibility of thyroid disorders.
Complications due to morbid obesity
Morbid obesity is accompanied by a large number of health complications that are likely to become life threatening disorders if significant weight loss is not achieved. Also known as co-morbidities, these health conditions have a negative impact on your quality of life as well as that of your family. Some of the most commonly experienced health disorders that accompany morbid obesity include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, gall bladder disease, stroke, obstructive sleep apnea and other respiratory problems, osteoarthritis, cancers of the breast, prostate and colon, liver disorders, acid reflux, venous disease, complications during pregnancy and childbirth, infertility and other female reproductive health problems as well as menstrual irregularities. People suffering from morbid obesity need to discuss their health issues with their doctor. Early detection and treatment of morbid obesity as well as the co-morbidities associated with it are essential for boosting life expectancy.