Obesity is a chronic disease that is associated with many health conditions, some of them seemingly unrelated. Here are just some of the comorbidities that may be the result of, or may worsen the symptoms of having obesity.
Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes is one of the possible comorbidities of obesity.
Type 1 diabetes appears in childhood, characterized by the pancreas making little or no insulin7. Type 2, however, develops over years and can show no symptoms. This occurs when cells don’t respond to insulin properly, prompting the pancreas to produce more insulin. When the pancreas gets tired, sugar remains in the blood, causing levels to rise.8
High blood sugar levels can damage the nerves or blood vessels1. People suffering from this condition might need to take at least one maintenance medication to manage the condition2.
Obesity increases your chances of developing or worsening previously existing diabetes by sixfold. This is because the cells of a person with obesity resist the entry of glucose. Similarly, the part of the liver where excess glucose is usually stored now houses fat instead. Glucose then remains in the bloodstream, and the pancreas goes overtime to make more insulin.2
Hypertension
Otherwise known as high blood pressure, this condition causes the heart to work double-time pumping blood.4
This is rooted in the buildup of plaque4, which is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, inside the arteries. The arteries constrict, making it hard for blood to pass through and deliver oxygen and nutrients to the body5.
Are having obesity and diabetes comorbidities for hypertension? Yes.
Diabetes, which may be rooted in obesity, damages the kidneys, leading to salt and water retention. This results in hypertension and stiffening of the blood vessel walls.6
Cancer
Aside from diabetes, cancer is also one of the comorbidities of obesity.
According to a study9, diabetes and cancer are often diagnosed in the same person, regardless of age.
Obesity can also put you at risk for as many as 13 cancers:
- Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus
- Breast cancer (especially for menopausal women)
- Colon and rectal
- Uterine
- Gallbladder
- Upper stomach
- Kidney
- Liver
- Ovarian
- Pancreatic
- Thyroid
- Meningioma (brain)
- Multiple myeloma
In obese and overweight people , chronic inflammation and above-normal insulin levels, insulin-like growth factor, and sex hormones can contribute to the development of cancer.15
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea, also known as hilik, is another condition that ranks among the possible comorbidities of obesity.
It is a chronic respiratory disorder in which the upper airway collapses during sleep.10 When this happens, a person’s sleep can be interrupted, as they may not be getting enough oxygen.10 Among the most common sleep apnea symptoms is snoring, where air is actually squeezed out through a restricted airway.
Hilik may arise due to different causes, including obesity, large tonsils and changes in hormone levels.11
In cases where obesity is the culprit, excess weight forms fat deposits, called pharyngeal fat, in the neck. This can cause blockage in the upper airway during sleep.
Additionally, excess weight around the abdomen also compresses the chest wall, leading to lowered lung volume. This reduces airflow, causing the upper airway to collapse in sleep.16
PCOS and hormonal changes
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is another condition for which being obese is a comorbidity. This is characterized by irregular periods, facial hair, and infertility.
Having PCOS is associated with being overweight, although family history also factors in. It should also be noted that not all women with PCOS are overweight or obese.
Women with PCOS have also been found to be insulin-resistant, heightening their risk for type 2 diabetes. They are also at risk for gestational diabetes, which can be risky during pregnancy.12
There are other interactions between potentially obesity-rooted diabetes and women’s hormones.
For instance, fluctuating hormones may affect blood sugar levels, resulting in food cravings, heavier menstrual flow, and lower sex drive.
As obesity is one of the causes of diabetes, it is important to maintain an ideal body weight to avoid such complications.
How can it be treated?
The best way to handle the comorbidities of obesity would be to treat the disease as well as obesity itself. As such, the treatment options available can vary depending on which of the comorbidities of obesity a person has.
Regardless of the comorbidity, one important aspect is to treat the underlying condition, which is obesity. This can be done through lifestyle changes such as adopting healthier eating habits and regular physical activity17.
However, obesity is a complex disease, and some people might find that lifestyle changes are not enough to help them lose weight. In these situations, it would be best to consult a doctor to see if taking medication, such as tirzepatide, is right for you.14
To learn more about other treatment options for obesity, read more here.
[embed-health-tool-bmi]
