Health Risks of Gaining Weight
As we get older, it is extremely easy for the pounds to start piling on, and this can happen because of a number of factors: our body starts to slow down, we start losing muscle mass, and are often not as good as retaining it. We may be less active and ‘on the go’ or become more relaxed around how many biscuits we eat.
While it is crucial for us to be happy in our own skin, and love our bodies as they are, there are certain health risks that come with gaining weight.
This piece will discuss some of the issues you can face if you become overweight or obese.
Type 2 Diabetes
A common disorder associated with weight gain, type 2 diabetes can mean havoc for our bodies, inflicting many unpleasant side effects.
Type 2 diabetes can be extremely damaging to the body, causing issues with the heart, blood vessels, eyes, hearing, skin, and also reduced healing ability, to name a few. There is also a chance that the immune system of someone with type 2 diabetes can be weakened, which leaves them prone to developing infections.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep is absolutely vital to our health and wellbeing, and even one disrupted night’s sleep can wreak havoc on our bodies. Sleep apnea can contribute to this problem as those who have the condition not only do not wake up feeling rested because of lack of REM sleep, but they also struggle to breathe properly while asleep. Both of these side effects to sleep apnea can be devastating to the quality of someone’s life, but can also leave them open to developing more issues.
If you are struggling with maintaining a healthy weight, and this is affecting your life, then consult a professional for a weight management platform that you can gain personalized advice from.
Stroke
Another unwelcome side effect of being overweight includes stroke—a very serious condition that can alter someone’s entire life. A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly cut off. This can be caused by a blockage or even a burst blood vessel in the neck or brain.
A stroke affects everyone differently, but some can be life-threatening. Symptoms include not being able to speak or having one side of the face become droopy, weak, or numb. Speech is often impaired and there might be difficulty in moving limbs, as well. Some do not recover from these effects, and some do.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is so prominent in the US, that around 655,000 Americans die from heart disease each year—which equates to one in every four deaths, annually.
This disease causes heart and chest pain, shortness of breath, pain, weakness or a numbing sensation in the limbs where blood vessels are affected, and pain in the surrounding area of the heart such as the neck, jaw, and upper abdomen. The heart’s rhythm might also be affected, and this can cause dizziness and fatigue.
If you experience any of the symptoms in this list and believe you are overweight, then contact a medical professional to make sure nothing goes undetected.
