Conditions

Many people with diabetes encounter difficulties with sex but are hesitant to address them. Some of you have asked us anonymously. Diabetologist Dr Rajiv Kovil from Mumbai offers some information and advice. Sexual problems (sexual dysfunction) are common among people with diabetes. Both men and women with diabetes experience sexual difficulties as a result of complications from the disease. How common is the problem? Although no official statistics are available for the extent…

Management of Obesity includes:  Weight Loss Set certain goals for losing weight Fix a target to lose 5-10% of your current weight over 6 months. this will also reduce the risk of other systemic conditions like diabetes and coronary heart disease  Lose weight slowly at the rate of 0.5 to 1 kg per week which would make it as a habit thereafter.  Joining local Weight loss group Lifestyle changes can help in achieving long-term weight-loss success. Focusing on balancing energy…

If you would like to prevent becoming obese, you must take the following precautions: Track your weight, body mass index, and waist circumference. These should be especially tracked among children. Most countries are now looking at National childhood obesity prevention programs. They vary from country to country. They are typically designed for parents and caregivers to help children 8 to 13 years maintain a healthy weight.  Encourage healthy eating  Increase physical activity…

While Obesity should be managed by making lifestyle changes as described in Obesity Management section, in some cases you may need medications or surgery as prescribed by your doctor.  Medications If your BMI is 28 or more medications like Sibutramine (Meridia®) Orlistat (Xenical® and Alli®): This drug reduces the absorption of fats, fat calories, and vitamins A, D, E, and K thereby promote weight loss. Causes most of the weight loss within the first 6 months of taking the medicine. These…

The most simple and reliable method of diagnosing obesity is through measuring the BMI Range of BMI: Below 18.5: underweight 18.5-24.9: normal 25-29.9: overweight 30 or higher: obese Categories of obesity Obesity level l: BMI of 30-34.9 Obesity level ll: BMI of 35-39.9 Obesity level lll: BMI of 40 or higher, which some also call as "morbid" obesity   The Edmonton Scale Obesity experts also use the Edmonton obesity staging system. It takes BMI a step further by relating it to your…

Types of Obesity There are multiple classifications of Obesity. I. Depending on the area of fat deposition, there are three forms of obesity Peripheral: Accumulation of excess fat in the hips, buttocks and thighs. Central: Accumulation of excess fat in the abdominal area. Combination of both peripheral and central obesity.  Abdominal area is considered the most dangerous area for the accumulation of fat because it is closely located to the vital organs and their blood supply.  II.…

What are the signs and symptoms of obesity? Weight gain is the most common sign of obesity. Weight gain happens over time. Some ways that people know they have put on weight are: The early and simple sign is the clothing get tight and people go for larger sizes of clothes. Presence of extra fat around the waist. A higher than normal body mass index (BMI)  Waist circumference and a higher reading on the weighing scale. It is important to keep an eye on these signs and symptoms and address…

What are the causes of obesity?   Consuming too many calories, particularly of fatty and sugary kind of foods. Some food habits like fructose – containing beverages interfere with lipid metabolism causing lipid accumulation (hypertriglyceridemia) and fatty liver which further leads to diabetes and obesity. Leading a sedentary lifestyle which does not promote to burn off the fats. Not sleeping enough; sleep deprivation leads to increase in appetite through elevating appetite…

The word "obesity" literally means too much body fat which might eventually have adverse effects on their health. Whether a person is obese or not is generally based on the body mass index (BMI) and the waist circumference. Body mass is divided by the square of the body height, and is universally expressed in units of kg/m2.  The WHO definition is BMI greater than or equal to 25 is overweight BMI greater than or equal to 30 is obesity. The waist circumference >102 cm (male) and >88…