• Obesity Symptoms

Symptoms
Symptoms of Obesity

Being overweight or obese poses many problems for the patient. Symptoms of Obesity can be listed as follows:

  • An obese person has a BMI of more than 30. Most of the extra fat will accumulate around either the waist and chest (Apple-shaped obesity) or the hips and buttocks (Pear-shaped obesity). Men who are obese tend to have big waists. Women tend to carry extra weight on their hips.
  • Symptoms of Obesity due to excess weight
    • Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
    • Increased perspiration
    • Sleep disturbances
    • Snoring
    • Inability to move about quickly with difficulty in coping with day-to-day physical activities
    • Extreme tiredness and laziness all day.
  • Symptoms of Obesity of cardiac origin due to heart disturbances
    • Increased perspiration, breathlessness, chest pain, swelling of ankles, etc. due to high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, ischemic heart disease, cardiac failure, etc.
  • Symptoms of Obesity of endocrine origin
    • Increased thirst and appetite, increased frequency of urination especially at night, pointing towards Diabetes Type II.
    • Lethargy, tiredness and weakness, sluggishness due to Hypothyroidism,
    • Menstrual disturbances, infertility due to hormonal disturbances or PCOS.
  • Symptoms of Obesity of Rheumatic origin
    • Obesity leads to increased risk of Gout and Arthritis causing joint pains, backache, neck pain. etc.
  • Symptoms of Obesity on skin:
    • Stretch marks are very common in obesity.
    • Acanthosis Nigricans is a condition where there is excessive pigmentation of the skin of groin, neck, underarms, etc.
  • Gastro-intestinal symptoms due to Obesity:
    • Burning in chest due to acidity
    • Reflux of acid and food contents in the mouth due to Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
    • Increased bloating, distension of abdomen and flatulence.
    • Constipation or hard stools in case of a fatty liver or gallstones.
  • Symptoms of Obesity of Respiratory type:
    • Snoring
    • Obstruction or cessation of breathing during sleep leading to mouth breathing (Sleep Apnea)
    • Shortness of breath due to Asthma
  • Psychological Problems:
    • Low self esteem
    • Low confidence levels
    • Feeling isolated in the society.
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