Obesity: an overview of information
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Obesity is a chronic relapsing disease characterized by an excess of fat tissue in the body (in men not less than 20%, in women 25% of body weight, body mass index more than 25-30 kg / m 2 ). Obesity arises from the deposition of an excessive amount of adipose tissue.
In economically developed countries, 25-30% of the population is obese.
[What causes obesity?
There are several types of obesity. Endocrine obesity occurs with increased production of hormones in the adrenal cortex in the body or as a result of prolonged intake of these hormones for therapeutic purposes, with menopause or as a result of functional deficiency of the sex glands and a decrease in the secretion of sex hormones. In the development of this disease, an important role is played by hereditary (family-constitutional) factors. For hypothalamic obesity, characteristic signs are excessive accumulation of fat and its dysplastic redistribution mainly to the area of the mammary glands, thighs, abdomen. Alimentary-constitutional obesity develops, mainly, with constant overeating, a disturbed diet, lack of necessary physical activity.
The main factor that causes obesity is the imbalance between incoming and outgoing energy. Among the reasons provoking the development of this pathology, physicians distinguish unbalanced nutrition and constant overeating, zero physical activity, regular stresses and insufficient duration of sleep and rest, disruption of the endocrine glands, genetic predisposition, etc.
What are the symptoms of obesity?
Symptoms of the disease differentiate depending on the degree of obesity. In the early stages of the complaint of obesity may be absent. In severe cases, the patient often experiences shortness of breath, weakness, pain in the spine and joints, high blood pressure, swelling of the legs, a feeling of nausea and bitterness in the mouth, irritability, and excessive appetite and thirst. The skin becomes painful, men have problems with potency, women have problems with the menstrual cycle.
How to recognize obesity?
To diagnose the disease, the patient's height and weight, waist and hips are measured. Also, various biochemical and hormonal tests and ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs, electrocardiogram, and x-ray of the skull are prescribed.
How to examine?
What tests are needed?
Who to contact?
How is obesity treated?
The treatment of obesity is a complex of procedures aimed at improving metabolism and correcting body weight, since excessive weight undoubtedly has a negative effect on the duration and quality of life of the patient.
Treatment of obesity includes a set of different procedures. To begin with, you should increase physical activity, adhere to a healthy diet, switch to a low-calorie diet. Absolute fasting is practiced strictly under stationary conditions, under the supervision of a physician.
Alimentary-constitutional obesity is treated with cold to improve metabolic processes - douche, contrast baths, etc. Also use thermal procedures in the absence of diseases of the cardiovascular system.
To reduce appetite in the complex therapy of obesity, anorexigenic drugs that suppress the feeling of hunger - mazindol, desopimon, fenfluramine, and fepranone are also prescribed. Such drugs as desopimon, fepranone and mazindol can cause side effects, manifested in the form of irritability, sleep disturbances, increased blood pressure. With prolonged use of these drugs, addiction and dependence can develop, these drugs should be prescribed only by a doctor. Fenfluramine, in contrast to previous drugs, on the contrary, has a sedative effect.
Obesity in the initial stage is treated with the use of diuretics (drugs that accelerate the excretion of water and salts), as well as herbal preparations.
Treatment of obesity is a rather lengthy process, requiring, in addition to drug treatment, the implementation of a set of various exercises and procedures. Since obesity can be a consequence of various causes - neurological, endocrinological, therapeutic - then first you should consult a therapist for a full examination and referral to a specialized specialist. Surgical intervention can be indicated if there is a third or fourth stage of obesity.
More information of the treatment
Drugs