symptoms of obesity

Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
Updated on September 03, 2024
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Regarding the symptoms of obesity, they vary with the type of disease. For example, in secondary cases, there are clinical manifestations of the primary disease. For instance, obesity caused by hypothyroidism may also present with fatigue, poor appetite, dry skin, etc. Some people have obesity due to insulinoma or recurrent hypoglycemia, leading to repeated eating. The clinical manifestations also include symptoms of hypoglycemia such as palpitations, trembling hands, sweating, and a sense of hunger. If it is a case of simple obesity, generally, men primarily show an apple-shaped obesity, with fat accumulated mainly above the waist. In contrast, women exhibit a pear-shaped obesity, with fat accumulation below the waist, such as in the lower abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. Of course, related to obesity, there are also manifestations of cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. Some people with obesity may also experience sleep apnea syndrome, venous thrombosis, and so on. Studies suggest that the incidence of malignant tumors is also higher in patients with obesity. Because patients with long-term obesity carry excess weight for a long period, they may experience lower back pain, joint pain, swelling, and are more prone to abrasion or combined fungal or purulent infections in the folds of the skin. Therefore, the clinical manifestations of obesity vary according to the cause of the disease.

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Obesity is classified as what type of disease?

Obesity, also known as adiposis, is a chronic metabolic disease caused by excessive accumulation or abnormal distribution of body fat. Patients with this type of obesity often have excessive abdominal fat accumulation. Moreover, obesity is closely related to the occurrence of hypertension, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, cholecystitis, gallstones, osteoarticular disease, certain cancers, and various cardiovascular diseases.

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Causes of Obesity

Obesity, also known as adiposis, is a chronic metabolic disease caused by excessive accumulation or abnormal distribution of fat in the body. It results from the interaction of multiple factors including genetic and environmental factors that cause fat accumulation. Primary obesity, also known as simple obesity, is the most common type and is mainly caused by poor dietary habits, such as excessive food intake, particularly excessive fats, and a sedentary lifestyle. There is also secondary obesity, which is generally caused by diseases of the endocrine system. Hormonal treatments for allergic diseases and rheumatic diseases can also lead to secondary obesity.

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Written by Yang Li
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Harms of Obesity

In the case of obesity, it is first necessary to distinguish between physiological obesity and pathological obesity. For pathological obesity, further examination of the adrenal glands is required, such as respiratory syndrome, some problems with the pituitary gland, or conditions caused by Cushing's syndrome, all of which can lead to pathological obesity. The risks associated with obesity are quite significant. Firstly, it directly causes disturbances in the body's energy metabolism, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, or other issues. Obesity can also lead to fatty liver, lipid deposition in the heart, kidneys, and other organs, resulting in corresponding organ damage. Additionally, it can cause infertility due to the deposition of fat in the ovaries, and in terms of joints, it places excessive load on the human joints, leading to various joint diseases, and consequently increasing the risks of cardiovascular diseases and sudden death risks.

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Surgical treatment of obesity

Surgical treatment for obesity is applicable under certain conditions. This requires the obesity to reach a specific level, defined by indicators such as a BMI of over 35, and in the absence of severe diabetes or complications associated with diabetes. Considering surgical interventions for weight loss, these primarily involve bariatric surgeries like gastric bypass or gastroenterostomy which reduce food intake and absorption, thereby decreasing calorie absorption to achieve weight loss. While the effects of surgical weight loss are generally quite good, it can lead to some long-term postoperative complications, so careful consideration is required.

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Causes of Obesity

In the medical field, obesity is categorized into two types: primary (simple) obesity and secondary obesity. Primary obesity occurs without any other physical diseases and is solely due to irregular lifestyle, unscientific eating habits, and lack of exercise, leading to weight gain. This type can be managed with lifestyle adjustments and proper dietary guidance to reduce weight. Secondary obesity, which is less common, often involves endocrine disorders such as Cushing's syndrome. This condition can arise from issues with the pituitary or adrenal glands, or other parts of the body such as tumors, leading to excessive secretion of cortisol. This in turn causes redistribution of body fat, leading to characteristic signs like moon face, buffalo hump, and accumulation of subcutaneous fat which are manifestations of obesity. Additionally, conditions like hypothyroidism can lead to myxedema, contributing to obesity, as well as drug-induced obesity. Examples include patients with nephrotic syndrome or lupus who experience weight gain from prolonged use of corticosteroids. Therefore, the causes are diverse and require differential diagnosis by a specialist based on the individual's condition.