The Weight Loss Clinic, Division of Central Pennsylvania Surgical Associates, Ltd

Morbid obesity can cause severe damage to the body. The disease can affect nearly every organ of the body and thus can produce secondary illnesses. The disease and the secondary effects can interfere with a normal life style and can substantially shorten one's life span if not treated.

Heart Disease

Morbidly obese people are about six times as likely to develop heart and coronary disease than those people who fall within established norms. People are predisposed to coronary disease as a result of increased levels of blood fats and the physiological effects of obesity. Severely obese persons are up to 40 times more likely to suffer a sudden death. The increased load on the heart is one of the major causes leading to the development of congestive heart failure.

High Blood Pressure

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is much more common in obese persons. Hypertension, without treatment, leads to the development of heart disease, and damage to the blood vessels throughout the body. This damage to the blood vessels makes one more susceptible to strokes, kidney damage, and hardening of the arteries.

High Blood Cholesterol

Cholesterol levels are commonly elevated in the severely obese. High blood cholesterol predisposes an individual to developing heart disease and causes blockage in even major blood vessels and arteries

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is the stoppage of breathing during sleep. The symptoms include sleeping poorly and awakening repeatedly during sleep. The individual may not realize what is causing this problem and is usually unaware that he/she has stopped breathing while asleep. The problem is caused by compression of the neck which can result in complete obstruction of the windpipe. This condition can complicate a high blood pressure condition. It can also cause cardiac rhythm disturbances and lead to sudden death.

Obesity Hypoventilation

This condition persists with those persons who are severely obese. The symptoms of this syndrome are similar to sleep apnea. Obesity hypoventilation is caused by the high level of carbon dioxide in the blood stream. Symptoms include episodes of narcosis or drowsiness occurring during awake hours

Respiratory Insufficiency

Obese persons find themselves to be out of breath very quickly. This is caused by the decreased lung size while at the same time the chest wall is very heavy and difficult to expand. This condition can be disabling and result in additional weight gain due to the interference of this condition with normal physical activities and exercise

Asthma and Bronchitis

Although obesity does not cause asthma or bronchitis, it can agitate the condition and make the attacks more severe

Heartburn - Acid Reflux Disease

Acid reflux disease is caused when the acid that is in your stomach escapes into the esophagus. Often this occurs at night, especially after a large or late meal, when one is lying down. When the acid regurgitates, it may be inhaled, causing a burning of the airway, which then can be accompanied by violent coughing and gasping. This condition can result in lung injury, pneumonia or scarring of the esophagus. If the condition persists, additional scarring of the esophagus can lead to esophageal cancer

Diabetes

Obese individuals are 10 times more likely to develop diabetes. Diabetes among adults is the leading cause of adult-onset blindness. Kidney and liver problems are also common among diabetics.

Gallbladder Disease

Gallbladder disease occurs much more frequently in the obese. Obese individuals contract this disease due to constant dieting efforts, which predispose individuals to the problem. Small stones in the gallbladder can normally be removed using various methods, but gallbladder disease can result in the need to remove the gallbladder.

Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is associated with being overweight. The weakening of the pelvic muscles along with a heavy abdomen may cause the valve on the bladder to be weak. As a result leakage can occur with sneezing, laughing, or coughing. Weight loss usually corrects the problem.

Degenerative Spine and Weight-Bearing Joints Disease

The spine, hips, knees, ankles, and feet bear most of the weight of the body. These joints seem to wear out more quickly than in those, whose weight falls within established norms. There is also a tendancy to develop degenerative arthritis much earlier. Eventually, joint replacement surgery may be needed, but the results of joint replacement is usually not as positive and corrective in severely overweight patients. The stress on the spine can cause compression of the nerve endings which is commonly diagnosed due to the symptom of an intense dull pain which is manifested down the outside of the leg

Emotional/Psychological Disease and Effects

Severely overweight individuals are constantly dealing with emotional stress both personal and societal. Failure to effectively deal with their weight and disapproval from family and friends can result in depression. Individuals often experience discrimination at work and society and public services often neglect obese persons. As a result of society misunderstanding as to the causes of morbid obesity, people often make disparaging comments and look on severely overweight people as those who lack self-discipline. As a result many obese people prefer to avoid social gathering and interactions, which then leads to a limitation on personal freedom and deeper depression.