Treatment of obesity

Treatment of obesity

What is obesity?
Obesity is the accumulation of fat in the subcutaneous tissue and other tissues and an increase in body mass as a result of metabolic disorders.

Signs of obesity
The main symptoms of obesity are excess body mass and the discomfort caused by it. Body mass index (BMI) is used to estimate body mass. For this, they divide the weight (kg) by the square of the height of the neck (m). Obesity is diagnosed when the BMI is 30 or above. If the BMI is between 18.5 and 25, the body mass is considered normal, if it varies between 25 and 30, in this case, we are talking about excess body mass.

Forms of obesity
They divide obesity into alimentary-constitutional, hypothalamic and endocrine forms of obesity. Alimentary-constitutional obesity develops during systematic overnutrition and is partially hereditary. This type of obesity is caused by a violation of the diet and insufficient physical activity.

Hypothalamic obesity is the result of hypothalamic system dysfunction. Endocrine obesity results from pathologies of the endocrine glands (hypothyroidism, hypercortisolism, hypogonadism).

The most common cause of obesity is the violation of eating behavior and, as a result, excessive intake of food.

If the calories entering the body through food are not burned through daily physical activity, the human body stores these calories in the form of fat layers.

Sedentary lifestyle, taking hormonal drugs or antidepressants, genetic factor, some physiological conditions (pregnancy, lactation, climax) can be indicated as risk factors for the development of obesity. In addition, obesity can also be associated with some diseases, such as Isenko-Cushing or Prader-Willi syndromes.

Severe arthritis leads to a decrease in general physical activity, which in turn leads to weight gain and the development of obesity.

Diagnosis of obesity
Diagnosis of obesity is carried out by general examination and determination of BMI. If the BMI varies between 30-35, it is diagnosed as first-degree obesity, if it is between 35-40, then second-degree obesity, if it changes between 40-50, then third-degree obesity, and if it is above 50, fourth-degree obesity is diagnosed.

A dexamethasone test or an X-ray examination of the head and spine can be prescribed for the differentiation of different types of obesity. In addition, it is important to monitor blood glucose in obese patients, especially if they complain of thirst and dry mouth. According to the indications, a glucose tolerance test is performed.

Treatment of obesity
The main goal of obesity treatment is to reduce body mass. Diet therapy and, in addition, physical and psychotherapeutic treatment methods are prescribed for this. In case of excess appetite, special drugs are prescribed to reduce it. In the treatment of obesity of the fourth degree, various surgical interventions aimed at reducing the volume of the stomach or reducing the absorption of nutrients in the intestines can be recommended. Among the operations that are widely used in modern times, the placement of an intragastric balloon and bandaging of the stomach can be cited as an example. Gastric bypass operations are less common.

In secondary endocrine forms of obesity, treatment of the main disease is carried out.

Complications of obesity
Obesity increases the risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, erectile dysfunction, infertility, fatty liver and many other diseases.

Prevention of obesity
For the prevention of obesity, especially if there is a hereditary-constitutional tendency, it is necessary to follow a balanced and low-calorie diet and increase physical activity.