Obesity is increasingly recognized as a significant threat to the health of modern society, often referred to as the root cause of many diseases. Defined as an excess accumulation of fat tissue in the body, obesity can lead to various complications that require special attention.
Among the complications commonly associated with obesity are high blood pressure, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Once high blood pressure develops, it becomes challenging to manage, and if left uncontrolled, can lead to severe and potentially fatal conditions such as stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure. Blood pressure is a measure of the force exerted on blood vessels during each heart contraction. Normal blood pressure is classified as systolic and diastolic pressures below 120 mmHg and 80 mmHg respectively. High blood pressure is diagnosed when systolic and diastolic pressures exceed 140 mmHg and 90 mmHg respectively.
It is evident that there has been a recent rise in high blood pressure cases among young individuals due to Western dietary preferences, sedentary lifestyles, and excessive alcohol consumption. As cholesterol accumulates on blood vessel walls, dyslipidemia (abnormal lipid levels) and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques contribute to an early onset of high blood pressure.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas produces insufficient insulin or when cells fail to effectively absorb glucose from the bloodstream. Insulin is a hormone responsible for transporting glucose into cells. When insulin secretion is impaired, glucose builds up in the blood, resulting in persistent hyperglycemia. Fasting blood sugar levels above 126 mg/dL, glycated hemoglobin levels exceeding 6.5%, and blood sugar levels surpassing 200 mg/dL are indicative of diabetes. Lifestyle changes, including weight reduction of 5-7%, are recommended for diabetes prevention.
Hyperlipidemia refers to the deposition of cholesterol and neutral fat on blood vessel walls. Approximately 20% of Korean adults exhibit hyperlipidemia, defined by a total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL or higher. As lipids, such as cholesterol and neutral fat, do not readily mix with water in the bloodstream, they rely on lipoproteins to facilitate transportation. Lipoproteins are divided into LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) and HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein). LDL carries cholesterol derived from the liver or absorbed through food, while HDL helps remove excess cholesterol and LDL from cell membranes and blood vessel walls. An imbalance with high LDL and low HDL levels necessitates caution and management of hyperlipidemia.
Preventing complications related to obesity requires recognizing obesity as a disease and taking proactive measures for treatment. Seeking medical assistance from healthcare professionals enables tailored treatments based on individual needs and comprehensive examinations. Through this approach, overall health balance and weight management can be achieved.
“We employ metabolic balance tests, hormone tests, immune tests, and other diagnostic tools to thoroughly analyze the causes of obesity. Customized prescriptions, including appetite regulators, are then provided based on test results,” explained Dr. Cho Choong-hyeon, Chief Executive Officer of JM Family Medicine’s Bundang Clinic. “Working closely with patients on weekly diet management and providing personalized fluid treatments are key aspects of our health management strategy. Our aim is to promote both weight loss and overall well-being by comprehensively examining our patients’ health status.”
By recognizing obesity as a serious health issue and taking appropriate measures, individuals can improve their health and prevent complications associated with obesity.
Today’s article is reported by Junsu Kim (junsoo@mdtoday.co.kr), Medical Reporter at Medical Today.
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[메디컬투데이=김준수 기자] Obesity is a threat to the health of modern people to the extent that it is known as the source of all disease. Obesity is defined as a condition where there is excess fat tissue in the body, and this can cause various complications, so special care is required.
Complications that are very likely to occur when you are obese include high blood pressure, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Once high blood pressure appears, it is not easy to treat, and if control is neglected, it can easily lead to fatal diseases such as stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure. Blood pressure refers to the pressure exerted on blood vessels when the heart contracts. If systolic and diastolic blood pressure is less than 120 mmHg and 80 mmHg, respectively, it can be classified as normal blood pressure. On the other hand, if the systolic and diastolic blood pressure is more than 140 mmHg and 90 mmHg, respectively, high blood pressure is detected.
What is clear is that the number of patients with high blood pressure among young people is increasing recently due to western eating habits, lack of exercise, and excessive drinking. Cholesterol accumulates on the walls of blood vessels, causing dyslipidemia and further formation of atherosclerotic plaques, encouraging an early rise in blood pressure.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when insulin secretion decreases and glucose builds up excessively in the blood. Insulin is a hormone that transports glucose into cells and is secreted by the pancreas. If insulin secretion is reduced for any reason, glucose is not well absorbed into the cells. Diabetes is a disease where glucose cannot be absorbed into cells and it accumulates abnormally in the blood, leading to persistent hyperglycemia.
Based on fasting for more than 8 hours, if the blood sugar level is more than 126mg / dl, it can be considered diabetes. Diabetes can also be suspected if the glycated hemoglobin level is over 6.5% and the blood sugar level is over 200 mg/dl. To prevent diabetes, it is recommended to reduce body weight by 5-7% through lifestyle changes.
Hyperlipidemia is a condition where cholesterol and neutral fat in the blood are deposited on the walls of blood vessels. It is characterized by being common enough to affect about 20% of Korean adults based on a total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL or higher.
Because lipids such as cholesterol and neutral fat are oily, they do not move well in blood, which contains water. At this time, lipoprotein protein plays the role of transporting cholesterol. Depending on the density of the lipoprotein protein, it is divided into LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) and HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) LDL carries cholesterol produced in the liver or absorbed through food to all tissues of the human body.
▲ Director Cho Choong-hyeon (Photo = Provided by JM Family Medicine Clinic)
If too much LDL accumulates in the blood, it is oxidized to lipid peroxidation by active oxygen, causing atherosclerosis and various vascular inflammations. On the other hand, HDL plays a beneficial role in blood vessels, such as cleaning cholesterol and LDL that remain after being used in cell membranes and blood vessel walls. In other words, the higher the LDL level and the lower the HDL level, the more care is needed for hyperlipidemia.
Hyperlipidemia is a disease that can be prevented by controlling cholesterol, so it is important to maintain a healthy and regular lifestyle. You should reduce your intake of ready-made foods and animal fats and improve your eating habits by focusing on foods that are high in fibre. In particular, you must engage in aerobic exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes to control LDL.
In order to prevent these complications, it is essential to recognize obesity as a disease and make efforts to cure it. You must visit a medical institution and receive a prescription tailored for each individual based on an adequate examination and consultation regarding obesity. Through this, you should ensure the overall balance of the body and promote health management as well as weight loss.
“We will clearly analyze the cause of obesity through metabolic balance tests, hormone tests, immune tests, etc., and then administer customized prescriptions such as appetite regulators according to the test results,” said Jo Choong-hyun, Chief Executive Officer JM Family Medicine. Bundang Clinic Branch “The key is to work with your doctor on weekly diet management, customized fluid treatment, and other health management, and the point is to thoroughly examine your body’s health status that you are not even aware of. promote both. health and weight loss,” he explained.
Today’s Medical Reporter Junsu Kim (junsoo@mdtoday.co.kr)
[저작권자ⓒ 메디컬투데이. 무단전재-재배포 금지]
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