The obesity epidemic is taking a toll on our national health. All those extra pounds cause wear and tear on the body and set the stage for serious medical conditions, from diabetes to stroke.
Obesity takes a huge toll on the body and put you at risk of serious health conditions, ranging from sleep apnea to diabetes to stroke. Losing weight can reverse many of the problems that obesity creates.
Understanding how major health conditions are associated with obesity is often the first step in recognizing the value of losing even some of the extra weight you’re carrying.
Obesity, Heart Disease, and Stroke
Obesity is linked to cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease and stroke, in 70 percent of diagnosed cases. Hardening of the arteries, also called atherosclerosis, is 10 times more frequent in people who are obese. Heart-related issues connected to obesity include:
High cholesterol. Studies have shown that the higher your body mass index (BMI), the higher the levels of total cholesterol; this is particularly true in women, but is also the case for men. Cholesterol levels rise even more for people who carry most of their excess weight in their belly. Eating an unhealthy diet leads to obesity and often high cholesterol levels.
Stroke. Too much fat in the body, especially saturated fat and cholesterol, builds up plaque in the arteries and can lead to stroke, explains registered dietitian Jim White, RD, spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, and owner of Jim White Fitness & Nutrition Studios in Virginia Beach, Va.
Hypertension. Obesity doubles the risk of hypertension, or high blood pressure. Also related to heart disease, hypertension occurs in 26 percent of obese individuals. Obesity creates more cells and tissues that need blood and oxygen — and your heart and circulatory system must work harder to deliver them. This extra effort can increase blood pressure, leading to hypertension. Losing weight and maintaining a healthy diet can undo much of the damage caused by these conditions.
Obesity and Other Serious Health Conditions
Obesity has been associated with many other illnesses, either as a cause or a trigger for worsening symptoms:
Diabetes. Obesity is strongly correlated with diabetes. Nearly 90 percent of type 2 diabetics are overweight, as too much weight can lead to insulin resistance. Losing weight can help to manage and even prevent type 2 diabetes by making it easier for the body to use the insulin that it produces and regulate blood glucose levels.
Cancer. Research shows strong evidence of a relationship between some cancers and obesity, such as colon cancer, endometrial cancer, and breast cancer. As many as 51 percent of new cancer cases diagnosed in women are linked to obesity; the number is 14 percent for men. Although it's not understood how obesity increases the risk of developing certain cancers, evidence does show that losing weight can help to prevent many cancers.
Sleep apnea. This is a dangerous condition that causes breathing to temporarily stop during sleep. A big risk factor for sleep apnea is obesity, as excess weight taxes the respiratory system and makes breathing more difficult. Losing just 10 percent of your body weight can cut down on pauses in breathing during sleep.
Osteoarthritis. Arthritis risk increases as much as 13 percent with every two pounds gained. The increase of developing osteoarthritis is increased four times for women who are overweight; men who are overweight have five times the risk. Obesity places excess strain on the joints, leading to additional wear and tear and ultimately osteoarthritis.
Gallbladder disease. As many as 30 percent of all gallbladder surgeries are attributed to obesity. Obesity "causes disruption in the whole gallbladder," says White, by forcing it to work harder to process more fat. Obesity also leads to excess cholesterol, which boosts the risk for gallstones. Less weight puts less strain on the gallbladder.
Fatty liver disease. The specific connection between obesity and fatty liver disease isn't really understood, so it's hard to know how many cases are linked to obesity. But those with diabetes and pre-diabetics are at an increased risk of fatty liver disease. Maintaining a healthy body weight can manage blood sugar for those with diabetes and also reduce fat build-up in the liver.
GERD. Overeating doesn’t just contribute to obesity, but also to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), says White. Excess weight increases pressure inside the stomach, which can push acids up into the esophagus and worsen GERD symptoms — although it doesn't actually cause GERD. Losing weight can reduce pressure and minimize GERD symptoms.
Gout. Gout is a condition in which uric acid (waste that the body produces) builds up in the joints and tissues in the body. Obesity increases the risk of gout simply because there are more cells and tissues producing uric acid, which can lead to the build-up. Getting rid of excess weight can reduce uric acid production and manage gout.
Depression. Depressed individuals are at double the risk of obesity of their non-depressed peers. People who are overweight or obese can have self-esteem issues, says White. They may feel bad about themselves for overeating and ashamed or embarrassed, all leading to depression. Getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and losing weight can ease symptoms of depression.
Losing just a few pounds — even 5 percent of your body weight — can have a significant impact on your health by reducing your risk of developing many of these diseases.
Showing posts with label depression. Show all posts
Showing posts with label depression. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Friday, December 2, 2011
5 Lies You Shouldn't Tell Your Doctor
There isn't a lot your body can hide in one of those crinkly numbers. Maybe that's why so many women refuse to reveal much else at doctor visits. About a third of men and women in the United States admit to lying to their M.D.'s, according to a 2010 survey. But keeping secrets can be dangerous, especially if the information you're withholding leads to a wrong diagnosis. Besides, "a doctor's job is to advocate for your health, not judge," say Gary Fischer, M.D., a general internist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Here's why it's time to tell the whole truth -- and nothing but.
"I never smoke."
The real deal: Jean Thilmany has been lighting up a couple of times a month for the past 20 years. But because the 42-year-old Saint Paul resident doesn't consider herself a smoker, she never mentions it to her doctor. "I don't smoke often enough for it to affect my health," she says. Actually, if you puff even the occasional cigarette at happy hour, your doctor needs to know. Yes, cancer is a concern, but equally important, those smokes affect your circulation and increase your risk for blood clots.
"Nothing has changed since my last visit."
The real deal: Really? When your doctor asks "What's new?" she doesn't mean only medically. Whether you're in a tense relationship or fretting about work woes or money matters, chronic stress can trigger high blood pressure, migraines, tummy troubles and heart palpitations, Dr. Fischer says. "The stress hormone cortisol throws other hormones, like estrogen and progesterone, out of kilter," says Jerilynn Prior, M.D., director of the Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research at the University of British Columbia. This does more than mess with your period: Estrogen helps prevent bone loss, and progesterone aids bone growth.
The good news: Although prolonged periods of stress can have serious health consequences, there is a lot you can do. Talk to your physician; she can suggest stress busters, like relaxation exercises and yoga. In some cases she may recommend that you speak to a mental health professional who can help you work through your problems.
"I'm not taking anything."
The real deal: More than 50 percent of Americans take supplements, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The few natural remedies that you use may not seem noteworthy to you, but they are to your physicians. "A decade ago many women took Saint-John's-wort for PMS only to learn that it can make birth control pills less effective," says FITNESS advisory board member Mark Moyad, M.D., director of preventive and alternative medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center. And that's not the only interaction your physician wants to watch out for. Using ginseng with antidepressants puts you at risk for serotonin syndrome, a potentially fatal condition that causes diarrhea, fever and seizures. Because fish oil can thin the blood, you should stop taking it a week before dental work or surgery and don't combine it with another blood thinner, like aspirin, without checking with your doctor. Too much vitamin D can cause kidney stones, while too much vitamin C can cause heartburn. So make a list of the pills you pop, including vitamins, supplements and meds (OTC and prescription), and bring it with you to your appointment.
"I feel fine."
The real deal: About one in eight women struggle with depression at some time, but recognizing that you need help isn't easy. Twice as many women as men are affected. In addition to having persistent feelings of sadness, guilt, hopelessness and irritability, depressed women may gain or lose weight. "Tell your physician about any significant changes in your mood, thinking or behavior that affect your ability to function at home, at work or with your friends," says David Fassler, M.D., clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington. She'll probably rule out other potential causes, such as viruses, thyroid disorders and medication side effects, and then conduct a psychological evaluation herself or refer you to a mental health expert. The happy news is that there are many treatment options, including psychotherapy and antidepressants.
"I eat a healthy diet."
The real deal: After three days of swigging nothing but a concoction of lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper, Catherine Howe Bryant, 32, felt light-headed, lethargic and, not surprisingly, famished. "I dropped a few pounds, but I felt awful," admits the Winston-Salem resident. Still, Bryant does a liquid cleanse whenever she wants to "feel better" about her body. She's never told her doctor. What she and other women don't realize is that extreme diets can do real damage. "When your body doesn't get the protein it needs to generate new cells and tissue, it starts to burn muscle tissue, including the heart's cardiac muscle," says Arthur Frank, M.D., medical director of the George Washington University Weight Management Program in Washington, D.C. This can lead to heart palpitations, arrhythmias and many other cardiac problems. Putting yourself into starvation mode slows your metabolism in the short term and ultimately makes it difficult to maintain weight loss.
Whether you're trying to slim down for a beach vacay or training for a race, clue your doc in. She can help you devise a sensible plan and refer you to a nutritionist for a dietary tune-up that's safer than a detox or cleanse.
"I never smoke."
The real deal: Jean Thilmany has been lighting up a couple of times a month for the past 20 years. But because the 42-year-old Saint Paul resident doesn't consider herself a smoker, she never mentions it to her doctor. "I don't smoke often enough for it to affect my health," she says. Actually, if you puff even the occasional cigarette at happy hour, your doctor needs to know. Yes, cancer is a concern, but equally important, those smokes affect your circulation and increase your risk for blood clots.
"Nothing has changed since my last visit."
The real deal: Really? When your doctor asks "What's new?" she doesn't mean only medically. Whether you're in a tense relationship or fretting about work woes or money matters, chronic stress can trigger high blood pressure, migraines, tummy troubles and heart palpitations, Dr. Fischer says. "The stress hormone cortisol throws other hormones, like estrogen and progesterone, out of kilter," says Jerilynn Prior, M.D., director of the Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research at the University of British Columbia. This does more than mess with your period: Estrogen helps prevent bone loss, and progesterone aids bone growth.
The good news: Although prolonged periods of stress can have serious health consequences, there is a lot you can do. Talk to your physician; she can suggest stress busters, like relaxation exercises and yoga. In some cases she may recommend that you speak to a mental health professional who can help you work through your problems.
"I'm not taking anything."
The real deal: More than 50 percent of Americans take supplements, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The few natural remedies that you use may not seem noteworthy to you, but they are to your physicians. "A decade ago many women took Saint-John's-wort for PMS only to learn that it can make birth control pills less effective," says FITNESS advisory board member Mark Moyad, M.D., director of preventive and alternative medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center. And that's not the only interaction your physician wants to watch out for. Using ginseng with antidepressants puts you at risk for serotonin syndrome, a potentially fatal condition that causes diarrhea, fever and seizures. Because fish oil can thin the blood, you should stop taking it a week before dental work or surgery and don't combine it with another blood thinner, like aspirin, without checking with your doctor. Too much vitamin D can cause kidney stones, while too much vitamin C can cause heartburn. So make a list of the pills you pop, including vitamins, supplements and meds (OTC and prescription), and bring it with you to your appointment.
"I feel fine."
The real deal: About one in eight women struggle with depression at some time, but recognizing that you need help isn't easy. Twice as many women as men are affected. In addition to having persistent feelings of sadness, guilt, hopelessness and irritability, depressed women may gain or lose weight. "Tell your physician about any significant changes in your mood, thinking or behavior that affect your ability to function at home, at work or with your friends," says David Fassler, M.D., clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington. She'll probably rule out other potential causes, such as viruses, thyroid disorders and medication side effects, and then conduct a psychological evaluation herself or refer you to a mental health expert. The happy news is that there are many treatment options, including psychotherapy and antidepressants.
"I eat a healthy diet."
The real deal: After three days of swigging nothing but a concoction of lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper, Catherine Howe Bryant, 32, felt light-headed, lethargic and, not surprisingly, famished. "I dropped a few pounds, but I felt awful," admits the Winston-Salem resident. Still, Bryant does a liquid cleanse whenever she wants to "feel better" about her body. She's never told her doctor. What she and other women don't realize is that extreme diets can do real damage. "When your body doesn't get the protein it needs to generate new cells and tissue, it starts to burn muscle tissue, including the heart's cardiac muscle," says Arthur Frank, M.D., medical director of the George Washington University Weight Management Program in Washington, D.C. This can lead to heart palpitations, arrhythmias and many other cardiac problems. Putting yourself into starvation mode slows your metabolism in the short term and ultimately makes it difficult to maintain weight loss.
Whether you're trying to slim down for a beach vacay or training for a race, clue your doc in. She can help you devise a sensible plan and refer you to a nutritionist for a dietary tune-up that's safer than a detox or cleanse.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Depression, Diabetes Linked in Women
The link between diabetes and depression in women runs both ways....
According to Frank Hu, MD, PhD, of the Harvard School of Public Health, in a large prospective study, the risk of incident diabetes was increased for women with depressed mood, and the risk was higher if they were on antidepressant medications. Conversely, having diabetes increased the risk of incident depression over a decade of follow-up, and the risk rose with the severity of the disease.
The two-way association is partly explained by other known risk factors, such as adiposity and lifestyle variables, but is independent of them, Hu and colleagues reported.
The findings come from the Nurses' Health Study, a long-running cohort study started in 1976. For this analysis, the researchers looked at data from the participants starting in 1996, when questions related to clinical depression were first asked.
Hu and colleagues had information on 65,381 women, ages 50 to 75 in 1996, who were observed until 2006.
For the analysis of depression and incident diabetes, those with diabetes in 1996 or who were missing data on depression were excluded, leaving 57,880 women. For the study of diabetes and incident depression, 56,857 women were included, after leaving out those with depression at baseline, or who were either using or gave no information on antidepressant medications.
Hu and colleagues defined clinical depression as having diagnosed depression or using antidepressants, while depressed mood was either clinical depression or severe depressive symptoms, defined as a score of 52 or less on the five-item Mental Health Index. For the analysis, those with index scores of 86 through 100 were used as a reference group.
They confirmed self-reported diabetes using a supplementary questionnaire and medical record review. Participants without diabetes at baseline served as the reference group.
For depression and incident diabetes, they found:
There were 2,844 new cases of diabetes over the 10 years of follow-up.
Compared with the reference group, participants with Mental Health Index scores of 76 through 85, 53 through 75, or 52 and below had a monotonic elevated risk of developing diabetes, and the trend was significant at P=0.002 in the multivariate analysis.
Participants with scores of 52 or less had an adjusted relative risk of developing diabetes of 1.17, with a 95% confidence interval from 1.05 to 1.30.
Those using antidepressants were at higher relative risk after adjustment for covariates -- of 1.25, with a 95% confidence interval from 1.10 to 1.41.
On the other hand, the parallel analysis showed:
There were 7,415 new cases of clinical depression over the decade of follow-up.
Compared with the reference group, those with diabetes had a relative risk of developing clinical depression -- after controlling for covariates - of 1.29, with a 95% confidence interval from 1.18 to 1.40.
The relative risks rose with disease severity: 1.25 and 1.24 for those without medications or using oral hypoglycemic agents, respectively, and 1.53 for those on insulin. The associations remained significant after adjusting for diabetes-related comorbidities.
Hu and colleagues noted that the study's strengths include its large size and prospective design. On the other hand, much of the data was self-reported and the participants were registered nurses and most were white, so the results might not apply to different populations.
According to Frank Hu, MD, PhD, of the Harvard School of Public Health, in a large prospective study, the risk of incident diabetes was increased for women with depressed mood, and the risk was higher if they were on antidepressant medications. Conversely, having diabetes increased the risk of incident depression over a decade of follow-up, and the risk rose with the severity of the disease.
The two-way association is partly explained by other known risk factors, such as adiposity and lifestyle variables, but is independent of them, Hu and colleagues reported.
The findings come from the Nurses' Health Study, a long-running cohort study started in 1976. For this analysis, the researchers looked at data from the participants starting in 1996, when questions related to clinical depression were first asked.
Hu and colleagues had information on 65,381 women, ages 50 to 75 in 1996, who were observed until 2006.
For the analysis of depression and incident diabetes, those with diabetes in 1996 or who were missing data on depression were excluded, leaving 57,880 women. For the study of diabetes and incident depression, 56,857 women were included, after leaving out those with depression at baseline, or who were either using or gave no information on antidepressant medications.
Hu and colleagues defined clinical depression as having diagnosed depression or using antidepressants, while depressed mood was either clinical depression or severe depressive symptoms, defined as a score of 52 or less on the five-item Mental Health Index. For the analysis, those with index scores of 86 through 100 were used as a reference group.
They confirmed self-reported diabetes using a supplementary questionnaire and medical record review. Participants without diabetes at baseline served as the reference group.
For depression and incident diabetes, they found:
There were 2,844 new cases of diabetes over the 10 years of follow-up.
Compared with the reference group, participants with Mental Health Index scores of 76 through 85, 53 through 75, or 52 and below had a monotonic elevated risk of developing diabetes, and the trend was significant at P=0.002 in the multivariate analysis.
Participants with scores of 52 or less had an adjusted relative risk of developing diabetes of 1.17, with a 95% confidence interval from 1.05 to 1.30.
Those using antidepressants were at higher relative risk after adjustment for covariates -- of 1.25, with a 95% confidence interval from 1.10 to 1.41.
On the other hand, the parallel analysis showed:
There were 7,415 new cases of clinical depression over the decade of follow-up.
Compared with the reference group, those with diabetes had a relative risk of developing clinical depression -- after controlling for covariates - of 1.29, with a 95% confidence interval from 1.18 to 1.40.
The relative risks rose with disease severity: 1.25 and 1.24 for those without medications or using oral hypoglycemic agents, respectively, and 1.53 for those on insulin. The associations remained significant after adjusting for diabetes-related comorbidities.
Hu and colleagues noted that the study's strengths include its large size and prospective design. On the other hand, much of the data was self-reported and the participants were registered nurses and most were white, so the results might not apply to different populations.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
How Type 2 Diabetes Affects Relationships
Whether you're dating, married, or in a long-term relationship, a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes will affect both you and your partner.
Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH Print Email Having type 2 diabetes changes your life and can certainly affect relationships, whether you’re dating or married. Diabetes management requires a lot of your attention and focus, which may be hard for a partner unfamiliar with the disease to understand. You have to carefully monitor what you eat and check your blood sugar frequently throughout the day.
If you get sick and need help, your diabetes care may fall to your partner, who needs to learn about the disease to better assist you. If your partner is the one managing type 2 diabetes, you’ll want to get that education for yourself.
Diabetes: The Physical and Emotional Impact
People diagnosed with type 2 diabetes experience a wide range of emotions, including:
Fear
Anger
Depression
Denial
Guilt
Not only is the emotional aspect of diabetes a real rollercoaster, but there is also a physical impact on sexual function. The emotional strain of dealing with diabetes can cause stress and anxiety, as well as communication difficulties that can lead to sexual dysfunction in relationships.
Diabetes: Dating With Diabetes
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Ronda Keys, 37, an event planner from Maryland, was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at age 18, when she was in a serious relationship. She didn't know anyone else her age with the disease, so she tried to downplay its seriousness to her friends, her boyfriend, and even herself.
Keys, who is single, didn't want her boyfriend or friends to feel that they had to stop what they were doing or make accommodations for her diabetes, so she just didn't tell many people.
"I had to try to figure out how to still live a normal life and do normal things and manage my situation. After a while it just got to the point where I had to let people know," says Keys.
At first, her boyfriend just didn't know what he needed to do for her, what she needed from him, or anything about diabetes. "When you mention that you have diabetes, everyone wants to be the food police,” says Keys. She explained to him that she was still a normal, healthy person who just needed to make a few lifestyle adjustments to manage her disease.
Diabetes: Maintaining Bonds
Whether one or both partners have diabetes, there are things you can do to remain open and loving and strengthen your emotional bond, which in turn will help you navigate the changes that diabetes requires.
Here are coping techniques to ease you both through a diabetes diagnosis and for years afterwards:
Talk to each other. Adjusting to life with diabetes is difficult for patient and partner. Talk about what you're afraid of, what you're angry about, and what you need from your partner — and be sure to answer your partner's questions.Join a support group. Joining a support group for people with diabetes or family members of people with diabetes can be a valuable resource for both partners in a relationship. There you can talk to others experiencing the same challenges you are and exchange ideas on how to cope.Find ways to relieve stress. Dealing with diabetes can add a complex level of stress to a marriage, so find time to relax. Choose an activity or hobby that you each enjoy, together or alone, and regularly make time to forget about your troubles and have a little fun.Attend a diabetes education class together. This helped Keys and her boyfriend better understand her type 2 diabetes and adjust to her new reality. He learned about what she was facing and what she — and he — needed to do to manage her diabetes.Commit to lifestyle changes together. Keys says this was another important step in adjusting their relationship to accommodate her need for a healthier lifestyle. Her boyfriend altered his lifestyle as well to make it easier for her to stick with her improved habits. For people with type 2 diabetes struggling in their marriage or relationship, Keys stresses educating your partner and talking openly about your needs. Understand that your partner wants to help and often just needs you to show him or her the way
Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH Print Email Having type 2 diabetes changes your life and can certainly affect relationships, whether you’re dating or married. Diabetes management requires a lot of your attention and focus, which may be hard for a partner unfamiliar with the disease to understand. You have to carefully monitor what you eat and check your blood sugar frequently throughout the day.
If you get sick and need help, your diabetes care may fall to your partner, who needs to learn about the disease to better assist you. If your partner is the one managing type 2 diabetes, you’ll want to get that education for yourself.
Diabetes: The Physical and Emotional Impact
People diagnosed with type 2 diabetes experience a wide range of emotions, including:
Fear
Anger
Depression
Denial
Guilt
Not only is the emotional aspect of diabetes a real rollercoaster, but there is also a physical impact on sexual function. The emotional strain of dealing with diabetes can cause stress and anxiety, as well as communication difficulties that can lead to sexual dysfunction in relationships.
Diabetes: Dating With Diabetes
There's more content below this advertisement. Jump to the content.
Ronda Keys, 37, an event planner from Maryland, was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at age 18, when she was in a serious relationship. She didn't know anyone else her age with the disease, so she tried to downplay its seriousness to her friends, her boyfriend, and even herself.
Keys, who is single, didn't want her boyfriend or friends to feel that they had to stop what they were doing or make accommodations for her diabetes, so she just didn't tell many people.
"I had to try to figure out how to still live a normal life and do normal things and manage my situation. After a while it just got to the point where I had to let people know," says Keys.
At first, her boyfriend just didn't know what he needed to do for her, what she needed from him, or anything about diabetes. "When you mention that you have diabetes, everyone wants to be the food police,” says Keys. She explained to him that she was still a normal, healthy person who just needed to make a few lifestyle adjustments to manage her disease.
Diabetes: Maintaining Bonds
Whether one or both partners have diabetes, there are things you can do to remain open and loving and strengthen your emotional bond, which in turn will help you navigate the changes that diabetes requires.
Here are coping techniques to ease you both through a diabetes diagnosis and for years afterwards:
Talk to each other. Adjusting to life with diabetes is difficult for patient and partner. Talk about what you're afraid of, what you're angry about, and what you need from your partner — and be sure to answer your partner's questions.Join a support group. Joining a support group for people with diabetes or family members of people with diabetes can be a valuable resource for both partners in a relationship. There you can talk to others experiencing the same challenges you are and exchange ideas on how to cope.Find ways to relieve stress. Dealing with diabetes can add a complex level of stress to a marriage, so find time to relax. Choose an activity or hobby that you each enjoy, together or alone, and regularly make time to forget about your troubles and have a little fun.Attend a diabetes education class together. This helped Keys and her boyfriend better understand her type 2 diabetes and adjust to her new reality. He learned about what she was facing and what she — and he — needed to do to manage her diabetes.Commit to lifestyle changes together. Keys says this was another important step in adjusting their relationship to accommodate her need for a healthier lifestyle. Her boyfriend altered his lifestyle as well to make it easier for her to stick with her improved habits. For people with type 2 diabetes struggling in their marriage or relationship, Keys stresses educating your partner and talking openly about your needs. Understand that your partner wants to help and often just needs you to show him or her the way
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