Conditions

Obesity

A person is considered obese if he or she weighs 20% more than the average for a person of the same sex, height, and body build. Obesity is a health problem because it increases a person's risk of many serious disorders, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and osteoarthritis. The US government proclaimed obesity a disease in August 2004, allowing for treatments to be researched and covered by Medicare.

Signs and Symptoms:

The only actual symptom of obesity is the weight itself.

Diagnosis:

Your doctor will examine you and ask you about your lifestyle and health history. He or she may also check thyroid function and for other conditions that can contribute to obesity.

Treatment Options:

Lifelong lifestyle changes (e.g., exercise, behavior modification) and diet modification are necessary to control weight in obese patients. Many obese patients may have consumed more calories than they metabolized in their weight-gaining phase but currently may be eating enough merely to maintain weight gained previously. Risk assessment may be critical to the process of setting goals and providing motivation. No drug treatment has been shown to be safe and effective for long-term weight loss. Surgical therapies for morbid obesity include gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y procedure), or stapling and liposuction for moderate fat redistribution.

Traditional Treatments:

• In rare cases, an underlying medical condition may be causing weight gain. In these cases, your doctor will take steps to treat the medical condition.
• There is mounting evidence that food allergies and intolerances may also contribute to weight gain for many people. Ask your physician about testing for these conditions. One excellent method of testing for food allergies is the ALCAT test, in which a sample of blood is drawn and sent to a laboratory.
• If there are no signs of underlying problems, your doctor will probably recommend dietary changes and regular exercise.
• Behavior modification is a commonly used tool for weight problems.
• Medication to suppress appetite, whether prescription or over-the-counter, should probably be avoided. They do nothing to address the behavior patterns that led to the obesity in the first place, and they can produce serious side affects.
• Surgery is sometimes used as a last resort for severe obesity that responds to no other measures. The procedures used include gastric banding, in which a portion of the stomach is stapled closed, and gastric bypass, which also decreases the stomach's capacity. Weight loss immediately following surgery can be impressive. However, long-term success is only in the 50% range.
• Liposuction is a surgical procedure in which fat cells are suctioned out from specific areas of the body by means of a tube called a cannula inserted through a small incision. Under ideal circumstances, liposuctioning is reputedly safe. However, there have been problems with procedures performed by physicians with inadequate training and experience. If you are interested in liposuction ask your doctor to refer you to a qualified surgeon.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies:

The main thrust of alternative therapy is increasing basal body metabolism and addressing the behavioral component. The bottom line is to expend more calories than are consumed. Most obese people have tried many diets and are frustrated with their lack of success. Alternative therapies can help stabilize blood sugars, promote a custom tailored exercise plan, and treat emotional well-being.

Nutritional Supplementation:

• If you notice a notable drop in your energy level, take a good multivitamin and mineral supplement that supplies at least the recommended daily allowance of all basic vitamins and minerals.
• Carnitine can help reduce cravings for sweets and fats. Take 500 mg two to three times daily.
• Chromium helps control blood-sugar levels and diminishes cravings for sugar. Take 200 mcg of chromium once or twice daily for up to one month.
• Conjugated linolenic acid helps with fat metabolism. Take 1,000 to 2,000 mg three times a day, before meals.
• Lecithin helps the body metabolize fat. Take 1,200 mg twice daily, with meals.
• The amino acid phenylalanine stimulates the metabolism and helps suppress the appetite. Take 500 mg of DL-pheylalanine once or twice daily for three weeks.
• Pyruvic acid helps the body to burn calories more effectively. Take a total of 4,000 to 6,000 mg daily.

Alternative Therapies:

• Alfalfa, corn silk, dandelion, gravel root, horsetail, hydrangea, hyssop, juniper berries, oat straw, parsley, seawrack, thyme, uva ursi, white ash, and yarrow can be used in tea form for their diuretic properties.
• Aloe vera juice improves digestion and cleanses the digestive tract.
• Amla is an Ayurvedic herb that helps to increase lean body mass and reduce fat.
• Borage seed, hawthorn berry, licorice root, and sarsaparilla stimulate the adrenal glands and improve thyroid function.
  Warning: Do not take licorice on a daily basis for more than seven days, as an elevation in blood pressure may occur. Avoid licorice completely if you have high blood pressure.
• Alisma, astraglus, and atractylodes are Chinese herbal combinations that encourage weight loss.
• Green tea enhances the ability of the body to burn fat.
• Plantain helps reduce the body's absorption of fats.
• Siberian ginseng helps to stabilize blood sugar and reduce cravings for sweets.
• Guarana and kola nut are appetite suppressants.

General Recommendations:

• Avoid chewing gum. This increases the appetite.
• Keep in mind that no single diet will work for everyone. Instead, work toward creating a lifestyle that suits you and that will make you healthy and fit over the long run.
• Physical activity increases the metabolic rate and burns more calories. Exercise can also help reduce appetite. Talk with you doctor about an appropriate exercise plan for you.
• Find calorie-free ways to reward yourself.
• Don't neglect your emotional side.
• Explore biofeedback.
• Avoid weight-loss programs that make miraculous claims. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Warnings:

Do not take licorice on a daily basis for more than seven days, as an elevation in blood pressure may occur. Avoid licorice completely if you have high blood pressure.