In addition to being overweight, risk factors include a family history of the illness, having high blood pressure, being of African-American, Hispanic, or Native American descent, and having high cholesterol. While this disease once struck only older Americans, obese teens are increasingly at risk for Type 2 Diabetes.

Symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, blurred vision, fatigue, dehydration, tingling in the extremities and increased frequency and volume of urination. Some people with Type 2 Diabetes do not exhibit any symptoms until serious damage to internal organs has occurred. Type 2 Diabetes can lead to coronary artery disease, kidney disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, frequent infections and circulation problems.

Weight loss surgery is an important step for long-term, medical weight loss. Losing weight through bariatric surgery and lifestyle changes can significantly lower your risk for Type 2 Diabetes. Following weight loss surgery, lifestyle changes that incorporate regular physical activity and a healthy diet can help you continue to reduce your risk of Type 2 Diabetes. According to the National Institutes of Health Diabetes Prevention Program, losing just 5 to 7% of your body weight in conjunction with regular physical activity can delay or prevent Type 2 Diabetes.

If you are overweight and at risk for Type 2 Diabetes, talk to your doctor about medical weight loss such as bariatric surgery. Even if you have a significant amount of weight to lose, weight loss surgery is an important first step for protecting your health.

1. Obesity raises your risk of heart attack and stroke.
2. Obesity raises your risk of gout, a painful and debilitating condition.
3. People who are obese are more likely to develop blood clots. These are extremely painful and can be deadly if they migrate through the body to your lungs.
4. Type-2 diabetes is a condition that is very closely associated with obesity. Luckily, studies have shown that bariatric surgery often helps those who have developed weight-related diabetes go into remission.
5. Those that are obese have higher rates of cancer. Part of the problem is associated with the difficulty in diagnosis that comes with additional weight. It also seems that people who are obese are also more susceptible to cancer.
6. Those that are obese experience more gall stones, kidney stones and gallbladder diseases. These are all painful, and complications can be debilitating.
7. Because of the extra strain that excess weight puts on joints, people who are obese are more likely to develop arthritis. Arthritis is painful and can severely limit mobility.
8. Sleep apnea is more common in people who are obese. Sleep apnea occurs when you stop breathing briefly during sleep. It can disturb your sleep patterns and can contribute to heart disease.
9. Although researchers do not know why yet, it seems that those who are obese are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
10. Those that are obese also are more likely to have high blood pressure. High blood pressure can contribute to other health problems, as well.

Women who are considered very obese increase their risk of being diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, while also having a 39 percent higher risk of developing estrogen receptor-positive cancer of the breast. Further, a 23 percent reduction in the risk of triple-negative breast cancer was experienced by the most physically active women. Lastly, women considered to be the most physically active experienced a 15 percent reduction in their risk of developing estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

A lack of estrogen, progesterone and HER2 expression characterize triple-negative breast cancer, which comprises about 10 to 20 percent of all breast cancers. Historically, poor outcomes are associated with triple-negative breast cancer because of the lack of effective medications. What is noteworthy about this finding is that triple-negative breast cancer is very different biologically that other types of breast cancers.

Scientists have known about the link between the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer and obesity risk for some time by studying the illness and health patterns of this population group. As such, research now suggests that women who engage in increased physical activity reduce their risk of breast cancer. It is thought that there is a relationship between estrogen and adipose tissue, which contributes to this risk.

If you’re obese and physically inactive, see your Ft. Myers or Naples, Florida physician to discuss your weight loss goals along with your risks of developing either estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer or triple-negative breast cancer.

It’s estimated that 80% of people who have type 2 diabetes are also overweight or obese. This excess weight, especially in the midsection, may contribute to the disease. However, type 2 diabetes can also make it difficult for people to lose weight because of prescription medications used to treat the disease, complicated genetic links, and increased insulin resistance.

Although it may be more difficult, losing weight offers a lot of benefits for people with type 2 diabetes. Even a moderate weight loss can often result in lower blood sugar, blood pressure, insulin resistance and a lowered risk of heart attack, kidney failure and stroke. Working to lose weight by exercising and eating a healthy diet, regardless of weight loss results, may also ease some symptoms.

People who have recently developed type 2 diabetes may be able to completely resolve their symptoms if they lose weight. This is most likely to occur if the patient is young and able to achieve a body weight within the normal range.

Doctors encourage patients with type 2 diabetes who are overweight to work towards weight loss. Even if the disease is not cured, patients who lose weight are less likely to suffer from serious complications, including amputation, later in life.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease occurs when fat accumulates in liver cells. In the early stages of the disease, there is only fat accumulation. There are usually no symptoms at this point, and the liver remains somewhat healthy, although elevated liver enzymes may show up on a blood test.

If the disease progresses, patients may develop liver inflammation, which can lead to decreased liver function and scarring. At this stage, you may notice symptoms such as excessive fatigue and vague abdominal discomfort.

As many as 20 percent of sufferers will have the disease progress to the point of cirrhosis of the liver. In those cases, the damage to the liver is irreversible and a liver transplant may be necessary.

How does obesity cause fatty liver disease?

Fatty liver disease in people who are obese or suffering from diabetes seems to be related to insulin resistance. It is believed that the insulin resistance creates an inflammatory state that damages the liver. This complication can be prevented or reversed in its early stages by addressing the underlying problem of insulin resistance. In most cases, that includes losing weight and switching to a low glycemic diet that helps to control insulin and blood sugar levels.

As with any liver disorder, it’s crucial to catch the signs of fatty liver disease early before permanent damage is done. If you’re overweight or have diabetes, you should have your liver enzymes tested every six months to catch the earliest warning signs.