Complications of Untreated Obesity
Obesity is a disease. Left untreated, it can have devastating effects, from poor quality of life to early death, hence the term, morbid obesity. Co-morbidities (diseases caused or made worse by obesity) include Type II Diabetes, Sleep Apnea, and Hypertension, among others.
Type II Diabetes
In adults, Type II Diabetes (T2D) accounts for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Approximately 80% of people with T2D have a BMI of 30 or greater. The risk of developing T2D increases as the severity of obesity increases. Diabetes can lead to serious complications, such as blindness, kidney damage, cardiovascular disease, and lower-limb amputations. Type II Diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin. Genetics and environmental factors, such as excess weight and inactivity, seem to be contributing factors.
Bariatric Surgery and Its Impact on Diabetes
Bariatric surgery, including gastric banding (lap band), sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve), and Roux-EN-Y gastric bypass surgery, has been shown to improve or resolve T2D. Immediately after bariatric surgery, blood sugar levels improve and diabetic medications can be stopped, even before significant weight-loss has been achieved.
Recent studies show that fat tissues change following bariatric surgery, which leads to improvement of insulin resistance. The most commonly performed type of bariatric surgery, gastric bypass surgery, improves diabetes not only through rapid weight-loss, but also by excluding (bypassing) a portion of the small intestine from the flow of nutrients. The production of various hormones is changed following gastric bypass, leading to improvement of insulin secretion.
Almost 90% of obese patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery are free from diabetes one year after the procedure. These results are typically persistent as long as a healthy body weight is maintained.
Sleep Apnea and Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery is seen as an effective short- and long-term treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, and should be considered a standard of care for individuals who are morbidly obese and suffer from this syndrome.
Sleep apnea is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder, and is characterized by gasping noises during sleep. Obesity is a risk factor for the symptoms of sleep apnea, the severity of which are associated with the percentage of excess body weight. Even losing only 10% of body weight can decrease the risk of developing sleep apnea by 26%.
Gastric bypass surgery is an effective treatment for sleep apnea. People who have had this procedure note improvements in snoring and daytime sleepiness. The vast majority of individuals who had to use CPAP before surgery do not require it approximately six months after weight loss surgery.
When weight loss is achieved, the likelihood is excellent that sleep apnea will greatly diminish or completely resolve.
Hypertension
An estimated one-third of US adults have hypertension (high-blood pressure). High blood pressure increases the chance for developing heart disease and strokes. Excess body weight is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, elevated cholesterol, and high blood pressure. These conditions can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and heart and kidney damage. Bariatric surgery reduces excess body weight over time, which decreases strain on the heart.
75.4% of patients who had gastric bypass surgery experienced complete resolution of high blood pressure.
38.4% of patients who had lap band surgery experienced complete resolution of high blood pressure.
Changes in diet and exercise after weight loss surgery also contribute to significant improvement of cardiovascular problems.
Obesity affects nearly every system in your body resulting in numerous associated health risks such as Type II Diabetes and Heart Disease. Your risk of hypertension, Type II Diabetes and even death increase as your BMI increases.
Reducing your weight through weight loss surgery and keeping it off can help you reduce your risk of developing obesity-related health conditions. It may help you to improve or resolve conditions you already have. It's important that you take control of your weight before you have more to lose than just excess weight.
About the Author
For more information on bariatric surgery, including gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and lap band surgery and to register for an online or in person weight loss seminar in Clovis, California, visit http:// http://clovisbariatrics.org .
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