When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn't know what I was going to do. After the devastation subsided, I decided to take a very standard, western approach to my healing. Although initial efforts were successful, my cancer recurred a few months later. I endured many additional months of treatment before I started focusing on myself. I decided it was time to incorporate complimentary alternative treatments into my healing regimen, including massage therapy. I can't even begin to tell you how much it changed my life. My healing became a process, instead of something I simply had to endure. I hope that the articles on my website can inspire you to stay open-minded about your own healthcare.
Obesity can both worsen and cause certain chronic illnesses. If you are unable to lose weight on your own, your doctor may recommend weight loss surgery. Not only can weight loss surgery help improve your appearance, but it also may also add years to your life. Here are some positive effects weight loss surgery has on chronic illness.
Cardiovascular Disease
If you have cardiovascular disease, losing weight will help reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Obesity can cause hypertension, elevated blood glucose levels, systemic inflammation, and high cholesterol. Losing weight often has dramatic beneficial effects on blood pressure and blood lipids.
Your blood pressure may improve so much that your doctor discontinues your hypertension medications. In addition, weight loss can also lower your "bad cholesterol," or low-density lipoproteins. These fats may heighten your risk for a heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis. Your blood sugar levels may also improve after bariatric surgery, which will further lower your risk for cardiovascular disease.
High blood sugar levels can cause kidney problems that can raise the risk for poor circulation, heart attack, and stroke. It is important to note, that while your doctor may recommend that you undergo surgery to lose weight, your bariatric physician may tell you that you have to lose a certain amount of weight on your own before you can qualify for surgery.
Degenerative Joint Disease
Degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis cause severe pain, limited mobility, morning stiffness, and joint damage. Obesity stresses arthritic joints, and may even raise the risk for fractures. When joints are stressed by extra weight, they are more likely to wear down, especially the hips and knees, which are weight-bearing joints. Even if you do not have degenerative joint disease, being overweight can raise your risk for it in the future.
Not only does extra weight cause joint problems, but it can also trigger the release of certain chemicals that can promote inflammatory responses. Losing weight takes the stress off your joints and inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory substances. When you lose weight, you will have better exercise intolerance so that you can incorporate more activity into your daily routine.
If you are obese and are unable to meet your weight loss goals, consider bariatric surgery. Before undergoing the procedure, you will need to have a comprehensive medical examination to make sure that you are healthy enough to withstand the surgery and recovery period.
Share23 September 2019
