Heart fat: the worst diseases caused by excess weight

The expression "there should be a lot of good people" loses its lyricism when it comes to diagnoses provoked by overweight. Pathologies caused by extra pounds cause a third of deaths in Russia. Which vital organs are at risk if a person has problems with body weight, why the heart increases in size and what weight loss injections lead to — in the Izvestia article.

Health problems in overweight people

Current trends in cardiology, therapy, endocrinology and other areas of medicine are reduced to the fact that obesity is considered as the main risk factor and is considered the cause of the development of many diseases, Denis Prokofiev, a general practitioner, cardiologist, holder of the status of "Moscow Doctor", emphasizes in an interview with Izvestia. The list of weight-related diagnoses resembles a medical reference book. These include diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, gout, diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive systems, as well as joint problems.

Previously, the term used to denote overweight was beautifully called metabolic syndrome. Now the concept of "obesity" is more in use, since the effects of excess weight are not limited only to metabolic disorders, as previously thought. Obesity can be of the first, second and third degree, but in any case, irreparable damage is done to health. High blood pressure is the most "popular" problem of overweight people.

— Every extra kilogram of weight is plus one millimeter of mercury column, — says the interlocutor of Izvestia. — So if a person suffering from obesity has a blood pressure above 120 to 80, then it is enough for him to lose weight, and then he can do without lifelong drug therapy aimed at lowering blood pressure.

First of all, according to the doctor, patients suffer from the cardiovascular system and the biliary tract (biliary tract complex). One of the main problems is fatty degeneration of vital organs caused by excess weight. When fatty hepatosis is diagnosed, liver cells accumulate fat, the organ increases in volume and becomes vulnerable to inflammatory processes. In this case, hepatologists and gastroenterologists are engaged in treatment, and lifestyle correction and proper nutrition help to achieve good results.

With fatty degeneration of the myocardium, fatty deposits accumulate around the heart, and the cells of the heart muscle are replaced by adipose tissue. This "shell" complicates the work of the pulsating vessel, it requires more blood. Because of this, the heart increases in size and works at its limit.

"Another problem is abdominal obesity, in which fat deposits accumulate mainly in the abdominal area," Denis Prokofiev continues. — Fat is deposited not only under the skin, but also around the internal organs. Such an accumulation of it provokes the development of elevated sugar levels.

In addition, an overweight body mass index is a sure marker that a person's joints are under increased stress and wear out much earlier than expected.

"This leads to the development of osteoarthritis and, as a result, joint replacement," warns Izvestia's interlocutor. — Our joints are simply not designed for the stress that overweight gives them.

Children and obesity

Thus, weight gain not only spoils the appearance, but also leads to malfunction of organs and systems, emphasizes Denis Prokofiev. Both men and women suffer from obesity equally, it cannot be said that a specific diagnosis is more dangerous for representatives of the same sex. But children are at special risk. The younger the body, the more dangerous and irreversible the consequences of obesity are.

"This is due to the fact that vital organs and systems are still developing," the doctor explains. — Obesity at an early age leads to impaired metabolic processes, lipid metabolism, purine acid synthesis, and carbohydrate metabolism. An overweight child inevitably becomes an endocrinologist's patient — it is this doctor who deals directly with the problem of obesity.

Specialists conduct an examination using blood tests to determine vitamin deficiencies in the body and liver and kidney function (creatinine, urea, cholesterol and glucose levels). Based on the research results, complex therapy is selected.

It is important for doctors to "get to the bottom" of the true cause of weight gain. This is not only a consequence of an improper diet and physical inactivity. Body weight may increase due to impaired drinking and kidney dysfunction, increased bone density or muscle tissue.

In medical practice, there are also quite rare cases of diseases that actually disguise themselves as completeness. Without careful attention to their health and timely access to doctors, a person risks missing a serious illness. For example, recently, doctors at the Tula Regional Clinical Hospital removed a giant multiple uterine fibroid weighing more than 14 kg. The volume of the abdomen increased significantly over the course of three years, the tumor almost completely filled the abdominal cavity, but the woman delayed going to the clinic until the last moment. Fortunately, the doctors managed to remove the tumor and preserve the health of the reproductive system.

Body mass index and waist circumference

In order to determine whether a person is obese, two important indicators are used — body mass index (the ratio of height and weight of a person) and waist circumference.

"An overweight body mass index is a transition beyond 25, and first—degree obesity is an excess of 30," explains Denis Prokofiev. — Overweight women are indicated by a waist circumference of more than 88 centimeters, and for men — above 102 centimeters.

These indicators should alert a person and make him think about the need for an examination.

— It is very important to understand that there is no such term as "fat man" in medicine. There is a problem associated with an excessive body mass index, on the basis of which the diagnosis of "obesity" is made, the general practitioner emphasizes.

A person who notices a problem should seek qualified help, rather than searching the Internet for weight loss drugs, he says.

— As a rule, all these drugs "came" from endocrinology and were created to control sugar levels, lower glucose levels and prevent the development of complications of diabetes mellitus. They are designed for certain types of diseases, they have side effects, the doctor warns.

Uncontrolled use of medications without a doctor's prescription will actually interfere with the proper functioning of the body. The weight may actually decrease, but the metabolic processes will be disrupted.

— As a result, hair falls out, hypovitaminosis occurs, tooth enamel collapses, and the digestive tract is disrupted. And the worst thing is that the pancreas, responsible for the production of insulin and glucose, is disrupted. Therefore, in no case can you adjust your condition without doctors," warns Denis Prokofiev.

A vivid example of the misuse of medicines is the case of a resident of Chita, who lost her thyroid gland due to fashionable injections for weight loss. She managed to lose weight from 175 to 150 kg. However, according to media reports, irreversible changes in the thyroid gland have become an adverse reaction to the drug. The organ had to be removed, after which the extra pounds returned in full.

Who is kinder, thin or fat

Overweight people often have certain neurotic disorders, psychiatrist and psychotherapist Alexey Vilkov tells Izvestia. In some cases, such failures precede weight gain, in others they spur and worsen obesity.

In particular, with an anxiety disorder, a person seizes on their feelings and negative emotions, which gradually increases weight and causes obesity, the specialist notes. Unreasonable anxiety and fears do not disappear anywhere, but anxiety due to excess weight is also added to these problems.

"With mental health disorders such as depressive disorders or anxiety depressive disorders, people also try to reduce anxiety and improve their mood through eating, but as a side effect they gain weight,— Alexey Vilkov adds.

It also happens that against the background of problems with the figure, a previously quite prosperous person develops complexes, lowers self-esteem and develops anxiety disorders. People lose confidence in themselves, constantly feel guilty for not being able to show willpower and cope with the problem. Eventually, they begin to experience difficulties with communication, including on the personal front, and try to isolate themselves from close relationships.

— From the point of view of the sexual sphere, excess weight provides symbolic protection against the manifestation of sexuality if a man or woman is not confident in himself, — says the psychiatrist. — On the other hand, overweight people have a reduced libido due to hormonal disorders.

The expert considers the opinion that overweight people are kinder and calmer than thin people to be a stereotype. A person's personality and character are largely influenced by genetic factors, upbringing, environment, and life experience, rather than their weight.

— However, some people may be more neurotic because they take care of themselves meticulously and constantly limit themselves in food. This increases their anxiety, and they may not always be able to reduce it skillfully. Overweight people may actually look calmer and kinder due to the fact that they reduce anxiety by consuming large amounts of calories. But at the same time, they pay with extra pounds," explains Alexey Vilkov.