Click on the links below to find your appropriate health topics and its details:
Quick search/navigation:
- Obesity.
- Obsessive - compulsive disorder.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Osteoporosis.
Obesity
Obesity is not just a problem of looks or image. It is a chronic medical condition which occurs over time when
a person continues to consume more calories than needed. These excess calories are converted to fat and stored
in the body. Obesity is associated with significant medical illnesses.
What causes Obesity?
Many factors, such as genetic, environmental and psychological, play a part in contributing to obesity.
Genetic factors: It is believed that obesity is a hereditary condition. Family members tend to share
similar lifestyles and diets that may contribute to obesity too.
Environmental factors: The environment is the next most important factor in determining obesity.
Overeating and a lack of exercise often contribute to this condition.
Psychological factors: Psychological factors may also influence eating habits. Some people tend to overindulge
in food, as a response to negative emotions such as boredom, sadness, or anger. They may also overeat as a way of
dealing with stress or depression.
Rare illnesses: Some rare illnesses can cause obesity. These include hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, depression,
and certain neurological problems that can lead to overeating. Certain drugs such as steroids and antidepressants may
cause excessive weight gain. A doctor can determine if a patient has any of these conditions. Note, however, that these
conditions are believed to be responsible for only about one percent of all obesity cases.
Complications from Obesity - Health Hazards:
Obesity is not just a cosmetic problem. It has been linked to many serious medical conditions such as:
- High blood pressure.
- High blood cholesterol.
- Diabetes.
- Coronary heart disease.
- Stroke.
- Sleep apnoea.
- Gallbladder disease.
- Liver disease.
- Arthritis.
- Cancer (colon, uterine, breast and other cancers).
Obese people are also likely to suffer from gout, a painful joint disease caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood.
Uric acid sometimes forms into crystal masses that become deposited in the joints.
Emotional affects:
As society today often views being slim as attractive, obese or overweight people tend to feel undesirable. They may be seen
as lazy or lacking in self-control, and face prejudice or discrimination. Feelings of rejection, shame, or depression are common.
Treatment/Prevention:
Lead an active lifestyle. Exercise daily, or at least three times a week. Increase the current level of activity. Consume less
food that is high in fat and sugar, and choose a diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits.
Drug therapy: Appetite suppressants are commonly used to manage obesity. They promote weight loss either by reducing appetite or
increasing the feeling of being full. These medications decrease the appetite by increasing serotonin or catecholamine - two brain
chemicals that affect mood and appetite.
Please seek your doctor's advice before taking any appetite suppressants. Certain prescribed medications have the potential for abuse
or dependence. Moreover, they may have limited effect on weight loss. Studies of appetite suppressants show that a patient's weight
tends to level off after 4 to 6 months
Surgery: Surgical treatment is for the severely obese (those with a BMI of 40 or greater or a BMI of 35 or greater with other health problems).
Surgery should be used only if less invasive methods have failed, and if the patient is at high risk for obesity-associated illnesses.
The aim of obesity surgery is to eliminate feelings of hunger and reduce the amount of food consumed. Complications and risks arising from the
surgery include wound infections, leaks or tears around the stomach bands, ulcers, breathing problems, and blood clots.
[Return to Top]
Obsessive - compulsive disorder
People with obsessive-compulsive disorder are constantly plagued with anxious and unwelcome thoughts, or have an uncontrollable
need to follow rituals.
Common obsessive or compulsive behaviour of OCD sufferers include obsession with germs or dirt and the need to wash hands over and
over again; preoccupation with order or symmetry; constant feelings of doubt and needing to check things repeatedly; spending long
periods of time touching or counting things; persistent thoughts of repulsive sexual acts; constant thoughts of violence and fear
of unintentionally harming friends and loved ones.
Symptoms - For Obsession:
- Persistent thoughts that seem to have no basis and cause anxiety or distress. For example an overwhelming fear of germs
and dirt or worrying about a past event.
- Always consciously trying to suppress such thoughts.
- In adults, knowing that such thoughts come from one's own imagination, not from outside factors. However this is not
the case for children.
Symptoms - For Compulsions:
- Ritualistic or compulsive behaviours such as washing hands over and over again; checking and rechecking
locks several times over, repeatedly tidying up things that have already been tidied; repeating words
over and over again.
- Recognising that the repetitive behaviour is excessive or unreasonable (not the case for children).
- Becoming depressed or distressed when attempts to control the compulsions fail.
- Feeling agitated and depressed, refusing to talk.
- Becoming withdrawn and delusional.
- Mood swings between feelings of anxiety to despair.
- Decline in grades due to lack of concentration at school.
Treatment:
The mainstay of treatment is to reduce symptoms such as anxiety. It can also help to resolve inner conflicts,
and help the patient to deal with anxiety. Drugs such as, antidepressants combined with behaviour therapy seem
to bring about the best results.
Conventional Medicine:
To date, it seems that the tricyclic antidepressant is the most effective anti-obsessional drug. Studies have shown
that those classes of drugs, which increases serotonin levels in the brain, shows a 30 percent to 60 percent reduction
in symptoms in adults and a 70 percent to 80 percent reduction in children. Other antidepressants that have demonstrated
good results are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline.
Behaviour therapy will help the patient cope with trying to change a specific behaviour -- by stopping what has been
triggering it or by replacing it with a more desirable response. Some studies have shown that 60 to 70 % of OCD patients
improve with behaviour therapy.
[Return to Top]
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis mostly affects the large weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips and spine, causing pain and stiffness
which is worst at the end of the day. The affected person may have difficulty in walking, climbing stairs, squatting or
kneeling.
Treatment:
Weight Control: If you are overweight, losing some weight will reduce the strain on your hips and knees.
Physiotherapy and Exercise: Working with your physiotherapist is important for maintaining strength in the muscles
around the joints and reducing stiffness in the affected joints. You should also exercise regularly to keep fit. Choose
exercises (e.g. swimming) which do not strain your joints.
Heat Treatment and Medication: Warm baths and heating pads are soothing to painful joints. Sometimes, your physiotherapist
may use a form of electrical treatment to help relieve your pain and stiffness. Your doctor may also prescribe some medicines
for the pain.
Walking Aids: Good footwear and a walking stick can help you move around more comfortably.
Surgery: If you have severe osteoarthritis, you may need surgery to repair or replace the affected joint.
[Return to Top]
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition where your bones become weak and brittle. If left untreated, osteoporosis can worsen until
a fracture (crack or break in the bone) occurs. One in three persons with hip fractures suffers considerable loss of
function and becomes dependent on others while one in five people dies within a year of sustaining a hip fracture.
Osteoporosis is a "silent" disease. There are usually no signs and symptoms during the early stages. However, as it
progresses, you may experience:
- back pain.
- loss of height over time.
- fractures of the hips, spine, wrists, or other bones.
The severity of osteoporosis calls for critical attention to our bone mass. Generally, bone mass peaks at around the age of 30,
after which bones become weaker and less dense. It is hence important to start building strong bones early for yourself.
[Return to Top]
|
