Frequent Co-Morbidities of Morbid Obesity

Frequent Co-Morbidities of Morbid Obesity

Cardiac
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Heart disease (coronary artery disease- CAD)
Heart attack
Stroke
Cardiomyopathy
Pulmonary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
Asthma
Respiratory insufficiency
Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (Pickwickian syndrome)
Endocrine/Metabolic
Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Metabolic Syndrome
High cholesterol
High triglycerides
Dyslipidemia
Insulin resistance
Musculoskeletal
Arthritic degeneration of hips, knees, other joints including ankles and feet
Disk herniation
Chronic lower back pain
Gastrointestinal/Abdominal
GERD-gastro-esophageal reflux disease
Acid reflux (heart burn)
Hiatal hernia
Gallstones
Recurrent abdominal wall hernias
NASH- non-alcoholic steatohepatitis/liver failure
Genito-Urinary
Menstrual irregularity
Infertility
PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Stress urinary incontinence
Frequent urinary track infections (UTI’s)
Cancer
Breast
Colon
Uterine
Prostrate
Skin
Rashes
Fungal infections
Paniculitis
Venous stasis disease
Neurologic
Psuedotumor cerebri (Benign Intracranial Hypertension)
Stroke
Psycho-Social/Emotional
Depression
Low self esteem
Quality of life issues
Social effects, including discriminations
Sudden Death

Many, if not all of these disorders, can be expected to improve with weight loss. Many will resolve entirely. Unfortunately, non operative approaches to weight loss in this extreme overweight group rarely result in significant sustained weight loss. After failure of non operative medical treatment, weight loss surgery is then considered reasonable and appropriate.