There are a number of medical conditions that accompany obesity or can occur more easily as a result of being obese. These conditions are made worse by obesity as well and are often called co-morbid conditions.

Type 2 diabetes
This is a long-term metabolic disorder where the body produces insulin, but resists it. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Because of excess weight, obese individuals develop a resistance to insulin, which controls blood sugar. While type 2 diabetes may occur regardless of someone’s age, gender or body mass, the disease tends to be more severe in the obese. A recent meta-analysis showed 76.8 percent of gastric bypass patients found complete resolution of type 2 diabetes, and 86 percent found improvement or resolution. Many gastric bypass surgery patients with type 2 diabetes have demonstrated little or no need for continuing medication. Patients who had gastric bypass surgery had lower insulin resistance. Their risk for metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure and a high amount of fats in the blood also decreased. In fact, a landmark study found that resolution of diabetes often occurred within days following gastric bypass surgery, even before marked weight loss was achieved.

High Blood Pressure/Heart Disease
Excess body weight keeps the heart from working properly. The result can be high blood pressure (hypertension), which can cause strokes and heart and kidney damage. Evidence shows that the age-related lifetime risk of hypertension in men and women ages 45 to 54 will double as their average BMI increases from 25 to 35.7 While hypertension may occur regardless of someone’s age, gender or body mass, it tends to be more severe in the obese.

Bariatric surgery reduces excess body weight over time, which takes away some of the strain on the heart. Changes in diet and exercise after surgery can lead to a significant improvement of hypertension and other cardiovascular problems. Studies have shown reductions in total cholesterol and LDL levels and increased HDL levels. Even a weight loss of 10 percent can lower blood pressure significantly. A recent large scale study showed hypertension was resolved or improved in 78.5 percent of patients.

Sleep Apnea and Respiratory Problems
Obstructive sleep apnea is when breathing suddenly stops because soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses and closes during sleep. Morbid obesity can cause sleep apnea and other respiratory problems. The greater your excess body weight, the greater the amount of fat pressing down on your chest and lungs. When you are morbidly obese, you are likely to have a greater buildup of fat deposits in the tongue and neck. While sleep apnea may occur regardless of someone’s age, gender or body mass, the disease tends to be more severe in the obese.

Reducing overall excess body weight reduces fat deposits in the tongue and neck that cause sleep apnea. Clinical data show that sleep apnea is present in 60 percent of patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Recent research found that obstructive sleep apnea was resolved in 85.7 percent of patients through gastric bypass surgery. Many people suffering from sleep apnea go undiagnosed. Sleep apnea can cause long term damage to your heart and can result in daytime sleepiness and even falling asleep while driving.

Dyslipidemia/High Cholesterol
Dyslipidemia is a disorder of lipids—the fat-like substances in the blood. A common form of dyslipidemia is hyperlipidemia (or high cholesterol), the condition that exists when someone has too much of certain lipids in the blood. As these lipids build up inside the artery walls, harmful scar tissue and other debris begin thickening and hardening the walls. Doctors call this condition atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. While dyslipidemia may occur regardless of someone’s age, gender or body mass, the disease tends to be more severe in the obese.

Recent research on the impact of gastric bypass surgery found that hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia were improved in more than 93 percent of patients.

Other co-morbidities
include gastroesophageal disease (heartburn), asthma and pulmonary diseases, urinary stress incontinence, infertility, depression and osteoarthritis.

Related Topics:

• What is Morbid Obesity