Morbid obesity

Considerations:
The human body is capable of supporting many extra pounds of adipose tissue (fat) that do not contribute to the functioning of the body. Eventually a point is reached where obesity begins first to interfere with agility and then day-to-day movement. As the obesity increases, the massive weight of tissue on the chest interferes with breathing. Affected people gradually develop hypoxemia (decreased blood oxygen saturation) and have problems with sleep apnea (periodic cessation of breathing while asleep).

Decreased blood oxygen and problems associated with sleep apnea may result in chronic fatigue , drowsing through the day ( somnolence ), high blood pressure , pulmonary hypertension , myocarditis , right sided heart failure ( cor pulmonale ), and ultimately death.

Common Causes:

Note: There may be other causes of morbid obesity. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as quality, time course, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for morbid obesity, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.

Home Care:
Prevention of obesity is preferable to treatment after the fact. Weight watching in the United States appears to be a national pastime but for the morbidly obese , weight reduction is critical to health. A combination of calorie restriction and exercise (when adhered to) appear to be the most effective rather than either one alone. Sticking to a weight reduction program is difficult and requires much support from family members and friends.

Call Your Healthcare Provider If:

  • you or your child appear to be excessively obese or are gaining weight at an extremely rapid rate. Remember that catching the problem early is much simpler than trying to fix it after the person has gained an excessive amount of weight.



What to Expect:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed. A dietary and exercise regimen may also be prescribed.

Medical history questions documenting morbid obesity in detail may include:

  • family history
    • Were any other family members excessively heavy?
    • Was a disorder diagnosed as a cause of obesity in any other family member?

  • dietary history (complete history of eating habits as well as types and amounts of food eaten)
  • other symptoms

Physical examination:
A thorough physical examination will be done to determine if there is any medical cause for the obesity. Height and weight will be plotted on a chart to help determine the degree of obesity.

Diagnostic tests:
Body fat content can be determined by special studies.

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to morbid obesity to your personal medical record.