Five Less Talked About Health Dangers of Obesity

Obesity is an ongoing health issue in the United States, where over 30 percent of the population is classified as obese. While most people are aware that obesity is a leading cause of heart disease and diabetes, obesity has many other less known health effects. Obesity is linked to more chronic illnesses than any other condition, including smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol or being poor. Carrying around too much weight can lead to cancer, osteoarthritis, respiratory problems, infertility and even dental problems. While not many people believe obese people are healthy, the wide-range of serious health effects are not commonly understood. Here are five lesser-known serious health effects associated with obesity.

Cancer

Being extremely overweight increases the risk of developing certain types of cancer, including colon, breast, gallbladder, prostate and uterine cancers. Obesity also reduces the effectiveness of diagnostic testing because it is more difficult to find and treat cancers early. The risk of dying of cancer is also elevated in extremely overweight people.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joints, primarily those of the hips, knees and lower back. It is caused by the wearing away of protective tissue surrounding the joints. Being heavy takes a toll on the joints, putting more pressure on them. Joint pain then makes it harder to exercise and lose weight, creating a vicious cycle.

Respiratory Problems

Breathing problems, including sleep apnea, are common among the obese. Extra fat around the neck can narrow the airways, making breathing difficult. Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Snoring loudly and waking up suddenly many times in the night are signs of this condition. Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition that can lead to high blood pressure and heart attacks. Another breathing disorder, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, is caused by too little oxygen in the blood. It can lead to serious consequences and even death.

Infertility

Obesity can cause severe hormone imbalances that can lead to menstrual issues, infertility and complications with pregnancy.

Dental Problems

Obese people have more oral health problems than the general population, including more tooth decay and more missing teeth. According to this fishers in sedation dentist, a poor diet of too many refined carbohydrates, heartburn and acid reflux, and poor oral hygiene all contribute to bad oral health, including gum disease and tooth decay. In addition, many obese people avoid visiting the dentist because of inertia or fear.