How does excess weight affect your spine. What are effective strategies for losing weight and alleviating back pain. How can exercise and lifestyle changes improve spinal health. Why is maintaining a healthy weight crucial for preventing back issues.

The Link Between Weight Gain and Back Pain

Being overweight is a common cause of back pain, particularly in the lower back. With obesity rates rising in the United States, it’s no surprise that back pain has become an epidemic. The good news is that back pain related to excess weight is often treatable.

Every extra pound of body weight exerts 4 pounds of pressure on the spine. For someone weighing 200 pounds, this translates to 800 pounds of pressure on their spine. Excess weight, especially around the midsection, can cause the pelvis and lower back to tilt forward, creating a permanent arch in the back that leads to pain.

How Excess Weight Impacts Spinal Health

Carrying extra weight can have several negative effects on spinal health:

• Increased stress on spinal joints and discs
• Misalignment of vertebrae
• Abnormal curvature of the spine (swayback)
• Weakened core muscles that support the spine
• Accelerated degeneration of spinal discs

A study published in the Journal of Arthritis & Rheumatism found that overweight or obese adults were more likely to have degenerative discs in their lower backs compared to those at a healthy weight.

Effective Weight Loss Strategies for Back Pain Relief

For individuals experiencing back pain due to excess weight, losing those extra pounds can provide significant relief. Here are some effective strategies for weight loss:

1. Increase Physical Activity

Getting moving is crucial for weight loss and back health. You don’t need a gym membership to start exercising. Walking around your neighborhood, jogging in a park, or even exercising in your living room can be effective. The key is to avoid prolonged periods of sitting.

2. Practice Portion Control

Using smaller plates can be a simple yet effective way to reduce calorie intake. Studies have shown that eating on smaller plates can lead to weight loss by naturally limiting portion sizes.

3. Maintain Proper Posture

Poor posture can exacerbate back pain and hinder weight loss efforts. Be mindful of your posture throughout the day, especially when sitting, sleeping, or carrying objects. Regular exercise can help build and maintain the muscle strength necessary for good posture.

4. Try Water Therapy

Water-based exercises can be an excellent low-impact option for individuals with back pain. Swimming, water jogging, or using underwater treadmills can provide a full-body workout while minimizing stress on the joints and spine.

Nutrition and Lifestyle Changes for Back Pain Management

Adopting a healthier lifestyle is crucial for both weight loss and back pain management. Consider the following tips:

1. Improve Your Diet

Focus on incorporating more vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into your diet while reducing intake of processed foods, sugary snacks, and sodas. Remember, exercise alone is not enough – a balanced diet is essential for effective weight loss and overall health.

2. Prioritize Sleep

Adequate sleep is crucial for weight management and pain relief. Studies have shown that lack of sleep increases the risk of weight gain. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to support your weight loss and back health goals.

3. Consider Getting a Dog

Surprisingly, getting a dog can be an effective way to increase physical activity and lose weight. Daily walks with your furry friend can help you burn calories without feeling like you’re exercising. Plus, you’ll gain a loyal companion in the process.

The Role of Exercise in Back Pain Relief

Exercise plays a crucial role in both weight loss and back pain management. Regular physical activity can help strengthen the core muscles that support your spine, improve flexibility, and promote better posture.

Benefits of Exercise for Back Health

• Strengthens back and abdominal muscles
• Improves spinal flexibility and range of motion
• Promotes better posture
• Increases blood flow to spinal structures
• Helps maintain a healthy weight

According to experts, exercise can double your chances of finding relief from back pain. Even low-impact activities like walking can make a significant difference in strengthening your core muscles and supporting your spine.

Understanding the Spine and Weight-Related Stress

To fully grasp the impact of excess weight on back pain, it’s important to understand the structure of the spine:

The spine consists of 33 vertebrae separated by discs of spongy cartilage. These bones form a flexible column supported by a complex system of muscles and ligaments. This intricate structure allows for bending, twisting, and lifting movements.

When excess weight is added to this system, it can disrupt the delicate balance and alignment of the spine. Even a few extra pounds can misalign the vertebrae and cause pain. The North American Spine Society suggests that maintaining your weight within 10 pounds of your ideal weight can significantly contribute to a healthier back.

Recognizing and Addressing Posture Issues

Excess weight can lead to posture problems that exacerbate back pain. One common issue is swayback, also known as postural lordosis:

What is Swayback?

Swayback occurs when extra weight in the abdominal area pulls the spine forward, creating an exaggerated curve in the lower back. This misalignment of the vertebrae can cause significant pain and discomfort.

Who is at Risk?

Overweight children and adults with weak back and abdominal muscles are particularly susceptible to developing swayback. Strengthening core muscles through targeted exercises can help prevent and alleviate this condition.

Holistic Approaches to Back Pain Management

While weight loss is a crucial component of back pain management for overweight individuals, a holistic approach can yield the best results. Consider incorporating these strategies:

1. Stress Management

Chronic stress can contribute to both weight gain and muscle tension, exacerbating back pain. Practice stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga to promote overall well-being.

2. Ergonomic Adjustments

Evaluate your work and home environments to ensure they support good posture. Use ergonomic chairs, adjust your computer screen to eye level, and use proper lifting techniques to minimize strain on your back.

3. Regular Stretching

Incorporate a daily stretching routine to improve flexibility and reduce muscle tension. Focus on stretches that target the lower back, hamstrings, and hip flexors.

4. Heat and Cold Therapy

Alternating between heat and cold treatments can help alleviate back pain. Use heat to relax muscles and increase blood flow, and cold to reduce inflammation and numb pain.

When to Seek Professional Help

While lifestyle changes and weight loss can significantly improve back pain for many individuals, it’s important to know when to seek professional help:

• If back pain persists despite weight loss efforts
• If you experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in your legs
• If back pain is accompanied by fever or unexplained weight loss
• If the pain is severe or worsening over time

A healthcare professional, such as a neurosurgeon or spine specialist, can provide a comprehensive evaluation and recommend appropriate treatments, which may include physical therapy, medication, or in some cases, surgical intervention.

Long-Term Strategies for Maintaining Spinal Health

Achieving a healthy weight and alleviating back pain is not a one-time effort but a lifelong commitment to spinal health. Consider these long-term strategies:

1. Regular Check-ups

Schedule regular check-ups with your healthcare provider to monitor your weight and spinal health. Early intervention can prevent minor issues from becoming chronic problems.

2. Continuous Education

Stay informed about the latest research and recommendations for maintaining a healthy spine. Knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions about your health.

3. Build a Support System

Surround yourself with supportive friends and family who encourage your healthy lifestyle choices. Consider joining support groups for weight loss or back pain management to share experiences and tips with others facing similar challenges.

4. Set Realistic Goals

Establish achievable short-term and long-term goals for your weight loss and back health journey. Celebrate small victories along the way to stay motivated.

By implementing these strategies and maintaining a healthy weight, you can significantly reduce your risk of back pain and improve your overall quality of life. Remember, every step towards a healthier weight is a step towards a healthier spine.

Tips to Lose Weight and Treat Back Pain: Desh Sahni, M.D.: Neurosurgeon

7 Simple Tips to Lose Weight and Treat Back Pain

For people who are overweight and also experiencing back pain, it is probably not a coincidence. Being overweight is one of the common causes of back pain, especially in the lower back. When considering how the majority of Americans are overweight, it is easy to see why back pain is becoming an epidemic in the United States. But the good news is back pain is treatable.

Every pound on the body equals 4 pounds of pressure on the spine. This may come as a surprise for many, yet it is true. Someone who weighs 200 pounds is putting 800 pounds of pressure on their spine. Think of it like this: extra weight = extra stress on the spine and joints. Excess belly fat eventually causes the pelvis and lower back to slant forward. This creates a permanent and round arch in the back, which causes back pain.

The strongest muscles are in the back. However, there is only so much they can handle. To effective treat back pain an overweight person will want to start losing weight. Below are a few tips for those who need help losing weight.

1. Get moving. A gym is not the only place to work out. The side walk works, or even the living room of a home. Jog around the house, on the sidewalk or at the park. Avoid sitting around at all cost.
2. Use smaller plates. Studies show eating on smaller plates leads to weight loss.
3. Maintain proper posture. It is hard to notice, but many people with back pain are sleeping or carrying things the wrong way. An unhealthy posture can lead to neck and back pain. Before going to sleep or getting up from a chair, check for proper posture. Also, a certain amount of neck and back muscle is necessary to maintain a healthy posture. Exercise regularly to build and maintain adequate muscles in those areas.
4. Try water therapy.  Water therapy will be as complex as a person wants it to be. The easiest thing someone can do for water therapy is jog, lift weights, or swim in a pool. For those who prefer something more orthodox, there are plenty of underwater treadmills out there.
5. Eat healthier. Shopping at whole foods does not make a person healthy. A person becomes healthier when they stop eating unhealthy foods — candy, fast food and soda — and instead eat more vegetables, rice and water. Keep in mind, the effect of exercise is minimal without a healthy diet to supplement it. It is a combined effort!
6. Get a good night’s sleep. Many studies show lack of sleep increases risk of weight gain. Be sure to get enough sleep.
7. Get a dog. Getting a pet dog is surprisingly a great way to lose weight fast. By simply walking a dog once a day someone can lose weight without realizing it. Not to mention, their household will have a new furry and lovable friend.

Extra weight can cause back pain.

Neck, Back

How can I relieve back pain? 

If you’re one of the eight out of ten Americans who suffer from mild to moderate back pain, your answer to pain management may be as close as your scale. 

Carrying an extra 15, 20, 25 pounds or more stresses your spine and lower back. 

Extra weight, especially around your midsection, puts additional pressure on the 30 vertebrae. These bones separated by discs of spongy cartilage create a column of flexible joints that are supported by a complex system of muscles and ligaments. Working together, they allow you to bend, twist, lift and stand up straight. 

Just a few extra pounds can misalign the vertebrae and can cause pain. According to the North American Spine Society, maintaining your weight within 10 pounds of your ideal weight will help you have a healthier back.

Extra weight can make back problems worse.

A study from China published in the Journal Arthritis & Rheumatism found overweight or obese adults were more likely to have degenerative discs in their lower backs.

While there may not be scientific, clinical data that directly connect weight gain to back pain, many real-life examples exist. People who lose weight often experience substantial back pain relief, while those who carry extra weight usually have a higher degree of back pain, especially if they have osteoarthritis.

Excessive weight may lead to abnormal curve in the back. Swayback or postural lordosis occurs when a person carries extra weight in the abdominal or stomach area. As the weight pulls a person’s spine forward, the curve of the spine follows creating a misalignment of the vertebrae. Overweight children and adults who have weak back and abdominal muscles are at risk for this painful condition.

Exercise doubles your chances for back pain relief.

Exercise, such as walking, can help you strengthen your back and abdominal muscles. These core muscles support your spine as you move; the stronger they are, the more support they provide.

Exercise can help you reduce your weight. Just 30 minutes of exercise each day can provide relief from back pain. Recent research also shows that three, 10-minute sessions will reap the same benefits as a 30-minute block of time each day. If you find it challenging to set aside a full 30 minutes at once, try to find a few 10-minute windows for:

• Low-impact aerobic exercises, such as walking, help strengthen your core while building overall endurance.
• Relaxation, realignment, and stretching exercises, like the plank and other Yoga poses, to help you condition muscles and lubricate joints.

If you want to get the most from your workout, you may want to consider working with a sports medicine specialist or a physical therapist, who are experts in body mechanics. They can give you specific exercises to relieve your back pain. By helping you strengthen and tone your key muscles, you can avoid back pain in the future.

If you have experienced back pain for more than a week, you should talk to an orthopaedic specialist to determine the cause of your pain. He or she will be able to provide you with the best treatment for your condition.

Other articles about back pain

If I have back pain, do I have to have surgery?
When should I see a provider for back pain?
Stretches can prevent back pain
To stretch or not to stretch
Exercises to relieve back pain
Meet Benjamin Hackett, MD
Are you at risk for a curvature of the spine
Hand, back and burn injuries. Who knew Thanksgiving could be so dangerous?
Traveling this year? How’s your luggage treating you?
Work and school can mean pain in your neck
Five easy exercises to improve your posture

Can Weight Gain Cause Low Back Pain?

Being overweight has become an epidemic in North America where, according to CNN, an estimated one-third of the population is obese and two-thirds of the general population is overweight. These two groups of people both suffer from the health effects that come with the condition regardless of their gender, race, financial status or even age. Research by the National Center for Biotechnology Information on this topic has linked excess weight- especially belly weight- to spinal and lower back pains.

Back pain can wreak havoc on your daily life by affecting your normal sleep pattern, your posture, walking style, and even the capacity to do any form of labor. It’s a condition that affects many people and can be caused by a variety of different factors such as bad lifting, wrong sitting or sleeping postures, pregnancy, or being overweight. Any action, habit, or lifestyle that can strain your spine and back muscles can contribute to back pain.

“Someone who is overweight tends to be fairly inactive, therefore might sit more, do less exercise, have less muscle tone. It is likely to be the lifestyle someone who is overweight adopts that contributes to their back pain not the actual weight itself,” says physiotherapist Lyndsay Hirst, creator of Your Pilates Physio, an online Clinical Pilates resource and studio.

Spinal and back doctors have confirmed that added weight, especially in the midsection, contributes a lot to back pain since it strains the back muscles in the process of trying to support the excess weight gained by trying to keep the body in an upright position. The body of a healthy person is in equilibrium because it has a natural balance both mentally and physically and a change in this balance would affect the individual.

A proper standing posture, which is the position that ensures your body is in equilibrium, dictates that your chin should be up and your chest out and your stomach should be tucked in naturally which ensures your spine maintains an inward arc keeping your hips straight. This helps you maintain your balance through proper weight distribution.
Obesity (or being overweight) destroys this natural body alignment. Hirst says, “Having excess weight will also alter someones posture which again can contribute to back pain.” It leaves the spine carrying excess weight while working twice as hard to maintain your body’s balance. This leads to back pain and, over time, your body will adapt an unnatural symmetry that you may not notice because it happens incrementally. This change can be corrected with weight loss and the help of a chiropractor.

Weight Loss Tips for Back Pain Relief

Back pain can be debilitating and can affect many people’s physiological, psychological, and even social functioning rendering them incapable of walking, driving, working in jobs that require physical involvement such as construction, or even going to social functions. There are corrective measures that can also double as preventive measures you can take to remedy this situation.

Make an Appointment with a Doctor

It’s important for you to see a doctor for a checkup or physical if you think you are overweight, or if you are experiencing back pain. Talk to your doctor about your diet, exercise, and lifestyle patterns. The doctor can then instruct you on how to manage your weight, take care of your body, and help you come up with a strategy to reverse your condition. Hirst says, “Understanding your body and how it functions is key to success with weight loss. Sustaining weight loss can also be challenging. Seeing the right health care professional can help give you the tools and knowledge to start the weight loss journey and keep it up.”

Exercise

The next step is begin the exercises recommended by your physician to get rid of the excess weight. This doesn’t mean you hit the gym immediately. Start by developing consistent walking or bike riding habits. Exercise the same time each day and enlist the help of your family and friends to walk along side you. “It is extremely important to have the support of family and friends,” shares Hirst. “Having the encouragement of loved ones  will help boost your confidence and keep you going.”

Diet

Your diet is important in maintaining healthy weight and avoiding back pain. Steer clear of high-calorie foods and learn to read nutrition labels, track your eating, and cook well-balanced meals. You can even consult nutritionists on the best diet plan for you so you can maintain a healthy and fit body. Callie Exas MPH, MS, RDN, a nutritionist with The Wellthy Plate, says to keep an eye on sugar intake, which is insidious for causing harm to your body.

“Consuming too much sugar can lead to high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and weight gain,” she says, adding that the easiest and most overlooked way of consuming sugar is through processed foods and beverages. “This includes sports drinks and healthy juices which can sometimes have just as much sugar as a soda.”

Holistic health coach Erin Wathen, recommends rebooting your diet completely to save you long-term pain. “Stay away from anything processed. Manufacturers have more than 50 different names for sugar and sugar substitutes.”  

She admits the first couple of days will be difficult, but you must remember why you’re doing it—to lessen inflammation. “Weening yourself off of sugar can be done, but it is easier if you also include all refined carbohydrates (i. e., bread). Modern wheat and sugar are chemically very close,” she says, adding that cravings can be managed with increased water intake.

Join a Support Group

Joining a support group helps you stay committed to your goals and provides you with a group of team members, a family that will be there for you throughout the whole process. What’s better is that this team will also be there for you even after you are healthy and fit leading you along whenever you lose focus. A study of Internet-mediated support groups found that members excelled using online support groups due to the “convenience, anonymity, and the non-judgmental interactions” they received. Researchers concluded that Internet weight loss communities “plays a prominent role in participants’ weight loss efforts—roles which might not be adequately filled by clinicians or offline family and friends.”

Hirst agrees, “I am a big believer in the use of support groups. They can be a great resource for recipe ideas, inspiration, motivation and allowing you to realize you are not alone. ”

In Summary

If you are overweight and looking for the best way to get back to living a healthy, pain-free lifestyle, follow these tips and find the best option for you to turn back the clock and enjoy life.

8 Surprising Ways Belly Fat Can Cause Back Pain

Do you find it hard to zip your jeans these days? Welcome to the bulging belly club, which has (ahem) grown a bit since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 37% of Americans say they’ve gained weight since it started, according to a global Ipsos survey released in 2021.

Belly fat is a multi-pronged threat to your back and spine health.

If you live with back pain and have a lot of excess weight around your middle (abdominal obesity), your problems won’t just be fashion related. Too much belly fat is linked to back pain in a number of ways.

When the natural curves of your spine are normal, you have a stable, well supported core. Excessive weight, including a large abdomen, pulls these curves out of alignment – a contributing factor in back pain.

Several studies have linked excessive abdominal fat with lordosis, an excessive inward curve of the spine – specifically toward the lower back. (Think swayback.) A study published in Obesity Surgery found that severely obese people had both pain and significant changes in posture, especially in the spine, knees and feet.

The back pain you may feel from a big belly isn’t just due to a shift in body mechanics. One reason we know this is by looking at another type of front-loading: breast implants.

Studies show these don’t have a similarly negative impact on back pain or posture. Marco Mazzocchi, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Plastic Surgery at the University of Perugia in Italy, writes that in many cases, implants improve both self-confidence and posture “regardless of the changes in body mass due to implants.” The weight of breast implants is typically less and is also carried by the thoracic spine which can explain the difference as well.

In addition to postural changes, obesity can damage shock of absorbers of the spine.  It can lead to increased disc pressure, annular tears and herniation, as well as neurologic impingment by compressing the disc space and pinching the exiting nerves.  The spare tire in your belly can shorten the height of your intervertebral discs like a flat tire in an overloaded car.

Your spare tire isn’t just a blob of inert tissue. Fat can secrete chemicals that contribute to painful inflammation. Over time, these chemicals can wear down components of your skeleton.

Belly fat may have a more important role in this chemical release than fat deposits elsewhere. Consider the study in PLOS ONE that examined potential links between obesity and degenerative disc disease. Researchers found a connection in obese men, but not in obese women. They suspect this is because men tend to store fat in their bellies, whereas women tend to store it in their buttocks and thighs. Weight carried in the abdomen can accentuate lordosis while weight carried in the legs tends to do so less.

Mechanical stress – in this case, the extra force placed on the spine by a large abdomen – is a factor in disc degeneration. But the authors also say metabolically active fat tissue has an important role in disc degeneration as well.

Your bones constantly renew themselves, but body fat can interfere with the process – potentially leading to osteoporosis over time. Visceral fat, which is fat deep inside the abdomen (as opposed to subcutaneous fat, which is the pinchable stuff just below your skin), could have a significant role.

Belly fat aka visceral fat is usually considered the most detrimental to your health, but don’t forget subcutaneous fat either.

Several studies associate visceral fat with lower bone mineral density, as well as increased risk of some types of fractures. However, it’s worth noting that not all scientists agree that visceral fat is the problem. Some say the damage occurs with high body mass and excess weight, not just high levels of visceral fat.

When medical experts talk about the dangers of belly fat, they’re often talking about visceral fat. It’s linked with a host of health issues, including heart disease. But subcutaneous belly fat, also known as outer abdominal fat (OAF), may also pose problems for your body and back.

In one study, researchers looked at CT scans of more than 600 people to learn more about OAF as we age. They found that facet joint arthritis (in the lower back) is associated with an increase in OAF. For obese people with this type of arthritis, weight loss and pain relief may well go hand in hand.

If you have ankylosing spondylitis (AS), you’re no stranger to chronic back pain. The inflammatory disease can cause vertebrae to fuse over time. Your back might be super stiff, or you might have a permanently hunched posture.

Disease-modifying medications can improve symptoms and slow the disease process. However, being overweight can reduce the drugs’ effectiveness. Belly fat in particular has been singled out as a problem for drug absorption.

For a study in Clinical and Investigative Medicine, scientists set out to discover if visceral fat – not BMI – independently predicted diminished response to the disease-modifying drug infliximab. They found that it did. In fact, they found a significant correlation between visceral fat tissue and disease activity in people with AS who received this treatment.

Being obese doesn’t necessarily mean you have a lot of belly fat – though many obese people do. If you’re obese and have a high BMI, be aware that you may be at increased risk of a rare condition called spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL), an overgrowth of body fat in the spinal canal. SEL can cause several types of back pain, so it’s always a good idea to have a doctor evaluate your aches instead of ignoring them or exclusively self-treating your pain.

While being overweight has its own medical problems, it is also a serious risk factor for both mechanical and chemical causes of back pain, as well as long-term implications in spine health.

Pain and Weight Gain Are Closely Related – Louisiana Pain Specialist

Pain and weight gain are closely related. Carrying excess weight causes a number of health-related issues. Additional pressure on your joints and difficulties with your heart are just a few of these problems. There are few benefits to increasing your numbers on the scale. Gaining weight slowly may allow your body to adjust to the excess strain but gaining it quickly is a shock to all your body’s systems. Joint Pain Weight-bearing joints, such as ankles, knees and hips, are used to supporting a certain load. If your weight increases quickly, say 20 lbs. over a few months, it will cause the joints quite an increase in stress.

According to Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, being only 10 lbs. overweight will increase force on your knees by 30 percent to 60 percent. This will cause pain in the joints and cause the cartilage to break down faster It’s important to maintain a healthy, steady body weight. No matter what health issues you suffer from, eating a moderate diet and performing whichever exercises your body is capable of will serve you best and keep your body functioning at its prime Extra pounds increase the load on your spine, taxing your muscles and dumping pressure on the soft tissue around your vertebrae. That can exaggerate the natural curve of your lower back, throwing off your spine’s alignment and causing chronic lower-back pain. Also, belly fat pumps out inflammatory chemicals that weaken discs. Add sitting for long periods and here comes the need for pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or more serious back-pain treatments.

Today, one in nine people has back trouble that compromises everyday living, interrupts steady work and tosses a monkey wrench into satisfying relationships (movin’ and groovin’ doesn’t go so smoothly with a bad back). Furthermore, 80% of adults — and a growing number of kids — get back pain once in a while. Overweight kids are twice as likely as Slim Jims (and Janes) to have early signs of disc disease — putting them on track for serious back problems down the road. So, before you order that mega-muffin and caramel mochaccino with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle, here’s what’s to know about the body-fat-bad-back connection:

More weight equals more pain. Carrying enough extra pounds to classify you as “overweight” (e.g., 155 to 185 pounds if you’re a 5-foot, 6-inch woman) boosts your odds for back pain by 20%. Obesity (i.e., more than 185 pounds for the same height) doubles or triples the risk. But losing just 4 pounds takes 16 pounds of pressure off your spine. More weight equals more damage. In a new study from Hong Kong (the obesity problem is worldwide), scans of 2,599 women and men revealed that piling on pounds increases the risk for degenerative disc disease (or, DDD, as we docs call it) by 30% to 79%. DDD sets you up for a slipped or ruptured disc, which puts pressure on nerves. Then there’s spinetingling numbness and weakness in your legs and, oh yea, plenty of back pain. Often, DDD heals within 6 months, but a whopping one in 10 with triple-D ends up needing back surgery.

Also, try these steps to soothe a sore back:

• Move more. Walk, swim, bike, or shake it in your local Zumba class. Physical activity helps control weight. Adding strength-building moves does even more, keeping your core strong to better support your spine. Learn 7 ways to move safely to minimize back pain.
• Learn to lift. Lifting the wrong way is a leading cause of sudden back injuries. The right way: Bend your knees, hold the object close to your body, tighten your stomach muscles, and lift with your legs. Don’t twist or lift heavy stuff higher than your waist.
• Sit smart. Don’t slouch. Keep shoulders back and in linbe with your hips, and your feet flat on the floor. Your knees should be bent about 90 degrees. Tuck a small pillow or special lumbar support behind your lower back.
• Get up. If you’re sitting down, stand up every 20 minutes or so. Walk around your office or living room. Move your arms. Any motion draws fresh, oxygenrich fluid into your spine’s discs, keeping your back healthier.

5 Ways Weight Gain Causes Pain: Frank J. Verri, DC: Physical Medicine

We’ve probably all heard that gaining weight can be unhealthy. But what, specifically, makes excess weight unhealthy? Here are a few ways that weight gain can worsen or create health conditions, including chronic pain.

Psychological

According to a study discussed in an article for Harvard’s School of Public Health, people who suffer from obesity are 55 percent more likely to develop depression compared to people with a healthy weight. Chemical imbalances, hormones and societal standards of beauty can all be the cause of increased risk for depression and anxiety with weight gain.

Neurological

Researchers from Johns Hopkins studied 3,861 people and concluded that people with a high BMI (body mass index) and people who are overweight or obese are 81 percent more likely to experience frequent migraines than people with a lower body mass index. The exact cause has not yet been determined, but one theory suggests headaches may be caused by inflammatory chemicals released by fat cells.

Diets high in unhealthy fats and refined carbohydrates can increase inflammation in your body and the release of migraine-causing inflammatory chemicals. Those who suffer from obesity are also at a higher risk for strokes and difficulty sleeping.

Gastrointestinal

Excess body fat can increase your risk for reflux disease or heartburn. Although there is no definitive reason why, WebMD suggests that an increased amount of body fat around the belly can increase the amount of pressure against your stomach, which causes fluids to rise and results in heartburn and reflux disease.

Musculoskeletal

Excess weight can strain your joints and bones and lead to musculoskeletal issues including arthritis in the hips, knees and ankles. Weight gain can also lead to lower back pain from conditions like herniated discs and pinched nerves from the added pressure on your spine.

How To Boost Weight Loss And Relieve Pain

A new study, conducted by researchers at Stony Brook University, revealed a link between carrying extra weight and everyday pain. However, living with pain or weight gain doesn’t have to be a part of your lifestyle. Increasing your activity level by just 10 to 15 minutes per day can improve your circulation, boost your metabolism and fuel weight loss.

Start by adding small amounts of activity to your everyday routine such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator, walking to lunch instead of driving, practicing a playground workout the next time your family goes to the park, or doing jumping jacks or running in place during commercial breaks of your favorite television shows. But exercise isn’t the only component to successful weight loss, a healthy diet is also essential.

Cleanse your kitchen of all unhealthy fats, refined carbohydrates and processed foods, and replace them with fresh, whole fruits, vegetables and lean protein sources. You can even get the whole family involved with these healthy snacks for kids.

What You Need To Know About Back Pain Caused By Weight Gain

There’s a higher chance of you getting severe back pain if you are overweight or obese. Excess weight around the waistline puts more pressure on your spine resulting in pain.

Studies show that people with higher BMI are more likely to have higher chances of lower back pain.

Back pain with weight gain

Avoid giving in to your craving for that extra slice of pizza or cream-laden cake, especially if you are prone to excess weight gain.

Did you know that if you are overweight you are putting your spine at risk?

In fact, excess weight around your belly can cause actual loss of height in the spinal discs in the lumbar region. This can cause stiffness and pain in the lower back.

Causes of back pain

Back pain is a rising concern in the public health because about 80 percent of adults are found to have low back pain at some point in their lifetime. This could be due to many factors such as:

• Weak Muscles due to lack of exercises
• Not enough nutrients in your disc that is majorly caused by smoking
• Older age
• Depression leading to back pain
• Overweight that stresses your back and eventually leads to a backache
• Lifestyle habits like sitting for long hours at work may disrupt your posture and hence stress your back.

The relation between obesity and back pain

Obesity is the condition where you have put on excess fat in your body. Besides being related to several diseases like Diabetes, Hypertension; Obesity is also found to be related to back pain.

Although enough materials aren’t yet put together regarding this, it is often found that doctors ask people with back pain to lose weight, as one of the first solutions. 

And it is not just back pain, excess weight can stress your body to an extent where it may damage the discs in the spine gravely. 

Also, many people have reported having been relieved from back pain with a decrease in their body weight.

Here’s what happens to your spine when you put on weight.

a] When you carry extra new weight, your spine bears that burden.

Because your spine undergoes a pressure, it loses its upright curvature and that brings the back pain. 

With weight, your spine fails to straighten up and hence, you may develop an unnatural curvature.

b] With the abdomen weight, your pelvis will be forced to slant forward

While carrying an overall weight affects the spine, weight gain, especially in your abdomen area can even stress your nerves. 

You pelvis gets curved forward which disrupts the natural form of your lower back. This puts a lot of pressure on your nerves that leads to back pain.

c] Extra weight can stretch up the body muscles and tendons

This in turn, can put an extra strain on that muscle that leads to a backache. 

In a study published in the Journal Arthritis & Rheumatism, it has been mentioned that overweight adults are more likely to have degenerative discs in their lower backs.

Note: BMI is the Body Mass Index that quantifies the muscle, fat and bone mass of an individual. It takes into account the height and weight of a person and a result is a number that determines the weight category.

Exercises that help in back pain

The first thing to do is to reduce your belly fat, which puts pressure on your spine. You need to reduce excess belly through controlled diet and targeted exercise.

Walking can help in putting a positive impact on your back pain.

Start with simple yoga asanas to stretch your spine and reduce the pressure, then look for simple ab-reduction exercises that can tone down your belly.

Asanas like Bridge pose, Tree Pose, Boat Pose, are all helpful in reducing belly fat and improving your spine health. 

Here’s a simple video with Back Pain Relief Exercises

Obesity / Diseases / Clinic EXPERT

Obesity is a disease characterized by excessive development of adipose tissue in the body.

Classification

Distinguish between primary and secondary obesity.

Primary – an independent disease.

Secondary – a consequence of malfunctioning of the endocrine glands and damage to the central nervous system.

Also, depending on the nature of the distribution of adipose tissue, there are:

• abdominal obesity (male or android type) – localization of adipose tissue in the abdominal wall, in the face, trunk, neck
• femoral-gluteal obesity (female or gynoid type) – localization of adipose tissue on the buttocks and thighs.

In addition, the disease is subdivided into general and local obesity and has two stages – progressive and stable.

Degrees of obesity

• first degree: weight gain by 29%
• second degree: 30-40%
• third degree: 50-99%
• fourth degree: 100%

Symptoms

Overweight is a common symptom of all forms of obesity.

Obesity symptoms:

• excess weight by 20% (the calculation is carried out taking into account height, age, sex and constitution)
• waist circumference 100 cm – for men
• waist circumference 90 cm – for women
• the ratio of hips and waist volume more than “1” in men and more than “0.45” – in women

There are practically no complaints with the first degree of obesity.With massive obesity, the following are observed:

• weakness
• apathy
• tendency to depression
• drowsiness
• depressed mood
• nervousness
• irritability
• nausea
• bitter taste in the mouth
• shortness of breath (even with minor physical exertion)
• joint pain
• spinal pain
• swelling of the lower extremities
• hunger at night
• constant hunger, intensifying in the afternoon
• thirst
• menstrual irregularities in women
• infertility
• hirsutism (female disease, characterized by excessive male hair growth – on the face and body)
• decreased potency in men
• tendency to acne rashes
• trophic skin disorders
• pink striae (stretch marks) on the thighs, abdomen, shoulders, axillaries cavities
• hyperpigmentation
• high blood pressure

If you find similar symptoms, do not hesitate! Seek the advice of a qualified dietitian doctor!

On the background of obesity, metabolic syndrome can develop.

Diagnostics

What diagnostics are performed in our clinic?

To determine the degree of obesity, weighing and measurement of growth are carried out.

• Calculate BMI – body mass index (Quetelet index). The calculation is made according to the following formula: body weight in kilograms is divided by the square of the height in meters. The result is that an index in the range from 20 to 25 is the norm. Exceeding the index determines the degree of obesity.
• Differential diagnosis of the type of obesity is carried out: based on the values ​​of the waist / hip index.The value is calculated: the ratio of OT (waist circumference) to OB (thigh circumference).
• Bioimpedance testing is in progress – an extensive body composition analysis.
• Carrying out a blood glucose test (fasting). It is prescribed for complaints of thirst and dry mouth.
• Glucose tolerance test. Appointed according to indications.
• Small dexamethasone test, X-ray of the skull and spine. It is carried out for the purpose of differential diagnosis of hypercortisolism and hypothalamic obesity.
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs and examination by a gynecologist. It is carried out for menstrual irregularities in women.

We carry out modern diagnostics. You will receive a consultation from an experienced doctor who will prescribe you an individual treatment based on the results of the examination.

When the diagnosis of obesity has already been established, it is important to regularly monitor blood counts in order to prevent the development of complications of the organs of the cardiovascular, endocrine, and digestive systems.For this, the doctors of the EXPERT Clinic have created a list of basic indicators.

Treatment of obesity

Since obesity is the result of metabolic, clinical and hormonal disorders, the treatment of the disease must be comprehensive.

Treatment includes measures to reduce excess body weight, as well as physical methods.

Loss of body weight, resulting in a decrease in basal metabolism, contributes to the conservation of energy received with food intake.This reduces the effectiveness of dietary treatments. Therefore, in the course of treatment, it is necessary to recalculate the daily calorie content of food. In addition, the patient needs an increase in physical activity.

Anorexigenic drugs are prescribed for uncontrolled appetite.

Obese women whose ovarian function does not recover with loss of excess weight are given drug therapy under the supervision of a gynecologist.

Surgical methods of treatment are also used (for obesity of the fourth degree).

Obesity is a disease characterized by excessive development of adipose tissue in the body.

Forecast

Obesity is one of the main factors in the occurrence of heart and vascular diseases. In the absence of adequate treatment, the prognosis for obesity is poor. Self-directed attempts to lose weight often lead to the development of serious complications.

Do not self-medicate! Entrust your health to qualified doctors!

Advice for obesity

• A balanced low-calorie diet that includes foods low in carbohydrates and animal fats.In this case, the products must contain a sufficient amount of minerals, proteins, vitamins, fiber. Meals should be fractional. Fasting days are shown, for example, fruit and protein.
• It is necessary to establish a daily routine, to carry out systematic therapeutic exercises. Massage gives good results.

Don’t risk your health. Make an appointment with your doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Can you get rid of obesity?

Obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease.Consequently, it exists in the patient throughout life (chronic) and the disease returns (relapses) in the absence of treatment. Therefore, you must always take measures to combat this ailment, as long as possible to prevent it from returning.

Is obesity a genetic disease?

Most likely – yes, but not only. Therefore, common obesity is called “exogenous-constitutional”. Constitutional – dependent on nature and exogenous – associated with overeating. Moreover, overeating is the main factor in obesity.Without overeating, a genetic trait will remain a trait.

Obesity due to the use of various drugs is not worth fighting with.

Many drugs can cause metabolic disorders when metabolism becomes slow, or when appetite rises uncontrollably, or when subcutaneous fat is redistributed. These drugs are known to doctors. When prescribing drugs for you, you should ask if they can affect your weight.With all the same, without the factor of disturbed nutrition, even with all the features of tablet preparations, weight is associated with an excess of calories in the body. Therefore, the treatment is the same for any type of obesity.

In our family, everyone is “big”. Is this such a feature?

First of all, the family is tradition. If a family has a tradition to eat tasty and eat a lot, to lead an inactive lifestyle, then everyone in this family will be obese. Pay attention to parents and children. Very often, if one of them is overweight, then everyone has it.

Against the background of various “fast-acting” diets, the desired weight was achieved, but after returning to the usual diet, the weight again increased to higher numbers than it was. Why?

This happens because you cannot “sit” on a diet and … get up. This is not a chair or a “course of antibiotic therapy”, when the disease can be overcome in a short time. A rational way of eating (not that strict newfangled diet that you could hardly stand) should stay with you forever. From the moment when you decided to put your weight in order, to your last breath.Miracles are rare.

Treatment stories

Story # 1

Patient K., 42 years old. Complains of being overweight, ongoing weight gain despite dietary restrictions. I began to gain weight after pregnancy. Periodically applies “different diets”, which give a quick effect, but soon after the end of the diet, the weight returns again, sometimes in greater quantities. Insists not eating much. The patient’s mother is also obese.

In a conversation with the patient, it was found that the food, although small in volume, is high in calories (mayonnaise, nuts, butter, baked goods).On examination: overweight, 107 kg. Height 164 cm. Waist circumference 100 cm, hip circumference 122 cm. The distribution of subcutaneous fat is even, more in the buttocks and thighs. No pathology of the thyroid gland or abdominal organs was revealed.

The doctor recommended a balanced diet to the patient, explained the concept of caloric content of food products (proteins, fats, carbohydrates). Drew up a plan of observation. Against the background of the diet, the patient after 2 months began to gradually but steadily lose weight. The weight did not return to the initial figures (before pregnancy), but reached the “upper limit” of normal body weight, corresponding to height.

History No. 2

Patient M., 56 years old. Complains of shortness of breath, limiting active movement (because of this, he cannot play sports), increased blood pressure, joint pain, overweight (the problem of weight, however, is considered secondary). Weight began to gain after 40 years.

Currently, M. is a manager, often on the road. Meals are rare, there are large gaps in food intake due to lack of time, and alcohol is often consumed in significant quantities.Doesn’t have breakfast, comes home from work late, hungry. After a hearty supper, he goes to bed. On weekends, he mostly “sleeps”.

On examination: overweight 114 kg. Height 172 cm. Waist circumference 116 cm, hip circumference 98 cm. Deposition of subcutaneous fat mainly in the abdomen. Blood pressure 148/90 mm Hg. Art. In laboratory data – an increase in cholesterol, uric acid, hepatic parameters, a moderate increase in blood glucose levels. Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity revealed an increase in the size of the liver, signs of fatty hepatosis.

The doctor prescribed diet therapy and explained the principle of nutrition and food selection when overweight. The doctor spoke with the patient’s wife about nutrition. it was she who is engaged in cooking and explained the sequence of the onset of the symptoms of the disease, when obesity is not in the last, but in the first place among the complaints, and all of them are caused precisely by overweight.

Additionally, the patient was prescribed drugs to correct blood pressure, cholesterol, hepatoprotectors.Physical education is a must. Against the background of changes in lifestyle and nutrition, the patient reduces body weight. Blood pressure and blood sugar returned to normal. The treatment continues.

Overweight and diseases of the digestive system

Many overweight patients are faced with the fact that diets and physical activity do not give the expected result. Often this problem is caused by diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, a person can feel quite healthy. However, trying to lose weight, he begins to exhaust himself with all sorts of physical activity and diets, but the weight cannot be reduced for a long time.

Gastroenterologists at the Polyclinic recommend that overweight people examine the gastrointestinal tract, digestive organs and liver before changing their diet and physical activity. The spectrum of pathologies that cause obesity is quite wide, so a comprehensive examination should be carried out. This will help determine if a person has any genetic markers, mutations that led to the fact that he became obese. Or is it just a wrong lifestyle and eating disorders.

There is also a downside to the problem. It is believed that overweight people usually suffer from arterial hypertension, heart disease, blood vessels. But, unfortunately, they can have diabetes mellitus, liver and kidney disease, dysfunction of the pancreas, and dysfunction of intestinal digestion.

First of all, it is necessary to carry out endoscopic diagnostics of diseases of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract – stomach, esophagus, intestines. In the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, functional diagnostic methods are also used: ph-metry, duodenal intubation, calibrating gastric secretion.Bioimpedance analysis of metabolism is another functional method for diagnosing obesity. It helps to develop with the patient the principles that need to be paid attention to when modifying the lifestyle: nutrition, treatment of some concomitant pathologies, physical activity, or all at the same time.

Liver elastometry is also performed at the Polyclinic. This examination helps to identify liver fibrosis in the early stages. If this ailment is not detected in time, this can quickly lead to the development of cirrhosis of the liver.

An ultrasound examination of the liver can be done at the Polyclinic to determine if there are changes in liver tissue, fatty degeneration or the presence of cysts.

90,000 Vulnerable back. Why does it hurt | Healthy life | Health

Our expert – neurosurgeon, candidate of medical sciences Igor Borshchenko.

Do not miss a heart attack

Back pain is a common phenomenon: 50% of people over 20 years old and 80% over 40 years old experience it periodically.There are many reasons for this pain, more than 30 different diseases can cause it!

Doctors divide back pain into spinal pain (for example, with osteochondrosis or herniated disc) and the so-called reflected pain, which is not directly related to the spine. In this case, it radiates, that is, “gives”, to the organs located nearby. For example, pain in the thoracic spine may be the only symptom of myocardial infarction. The back can hurt with urolithiasis, with inflammation of the uterine appendages in women, with diseases of the pancreas.

Stress can also cause back pain, although at first glance it seems strange. Here’s the thing. When a person is calm, the so-called antinociceptive system protects him from pain. It inhibits pain signals, as a result of which they simply do not reach the brain. During times of stress, we experience nervous overexcitement, which disrupts the work of this system. Then a person begins to perceive even an insignificant pain as quite strong.

In general, if your back hurts, you need to understand why as soon as possible.For this, it is not enough, as chiropractors do, to feel the spine and say: here it has shifted, we will adjust it. It is necessary to examine the state of the nervous system, make a tomography of the spine, and only then start treatment.

Banana

Often those who work in the office all day complain of back pain. When a person is sitting, his cervical spine involuntarily bends, the head, as it were, is drawn into the shoulders. The backward deflection of the chest (the so-called thoracic kyphosis) increases, and the forward deflection in the lumbar region (the so-called lumbar lordosis), on the contrary, disappears.Office workers are often said to sit in the “banana position” all day. As a result, they experience severe muscle spasm, which are attached to the shoulder blades, lower cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae. Therefore, after three hours of sedentary work, a person feels acute pain in the 6-7th cervical vertebra.

It is easier to prevent it than to cure it. You can, for example, buy a special forward-tilted orthopedic seat. The keyboard should be placed low enough, at the level of the navel, preferably on a special sliding table shelf.And the monitor, on the contrary, should be raised higher – at eye level. Do a little exercise every hour or more to loosen your muscles.

Isn’t it time for you to lose weight?

Back pain is a common lot for overweight people. The fact is that extra pounds affect the spine, changing its biomechanics.

Our body stores excess fat in the so-called fat depots. Most often, such a “warehouse” is located in the abdominal cavity, in the omentum.A large belly is an overstretched abdominal wall. In a full person, internal organs are shifted there. As a result, the center of gravity of the body also shifts forward. To keep the back straight, the pelvic bones are also pivoted forward. The spine is overloaded, its joints are deformed.

In addition, in obese people, the so-called hyperextension of the lumbar occurs – the physiological curvature of the spine in the lumbar region, directed forward, increases. Such a deformity of the spine occurs in men and women with abdominal obesity, when the maximum reserves are in the abdomen (like an “apple”).

By the way, with this type of obesity, the upper part of the fair sex often grows fat. The chest becomes larger, but this is not encouraging, because as a result, the thoracic spine is overloaded. Just like a large belly, a too large chest shifts the center of gravity of the body, which leads to muscle tension in the lower back and pain. Unable to tolerate her, some women even go to a surgeon to surgically reduce their breasts.

Bad news for pears

Female type obesity, when the belly is tucked up, and all the savings are lower (popularly called the “pear” type), is considered safe for the heart and blood vessels.But this has nothing to do with the joints and the spine! Everyone has seen obese women with the so-called “duck” gait, when the buttocks are deflected back and the stomach forward. Often, such women have been treated for osteochondrosis for years. But if you do not fight excess weight, your back will still hurt.

The fact is that with such an arrangement of adipose tissue, the mechanics of the spine are disrupted and the so-called facet syndrome develops, when the load on the small intervertebral joints (they are also called facet joints) becomes excessive.These joints are especially affected when excessive overextension of the lumbar spine appears. Such patients can be helped by surgery. Its purpose is to fix the joints of the spine in order to restore the correct biomechanics of movement. But the operation is sometimes very difficult to do for a trivial reason – it is impossible to get to the patient’s spine due to the large amount of fatty deposits.

Few people know about another cause of back pain caused by obesity. As you know, the so-called roots, surrounded by a small amount of adipose tissue, depart from the spinal cord, which performs shock-absorbing and protective functions.In obese people, this fatty tissue grows and begins to squeeze the nerve endings, which leads to pain in the back and legs. In this case, it is enough to lose weight for the pain to go away. And no surgery is required!

90,000 5 causes of lower back pain and their solutions

Everyone has experienced aching lower back pain. And many people know how unpleasant and long it can be. However, most of the causes that cause this pain can be resolved without medical intervention. You just need to reconsider your lifestyle a little.

It is worth saying that if lower back pain has become chronic, it is still better to consult a doctor. However, prevention of symptoms is, in many cases, much more beneficial than drug treatment. We have selected 5 main causes of low back pain and how to deal with them.

Obesity

One of the main causes of back pain is obesity. Many studies prove that obese people have a much higher chance of back pain. The first thing you should do with aching back pain is to go to the mirror and look at yourself from the side.If you see pounds of excess weight, then the problem is most likely in him.

With weight loss, you will get rid of pain, or at least noticeably reduce its severity. Lifehacker has a lot of materials on the topic of proper nutrition and sports.

Sprains

This is a very common injury that can be sustained by simply picking something up off the floor. Sprains are accompanied by spasms and pain in the lower back. Depending on the severity of the stretch, it can last from a few days to several months.

You cannot completely get rid of the chance to get stretching. But you can greatly reduce it by strengthening your core and back muscles.

To reduce swelling during sprains, apply ice to the affected area every 2-3 hours. Try to stay as mobile as possible. Bed rest can only worsen the situation.

Disc injury or hernia

The vertebrae in the spine are separated by discs, the main purpose of which is to create mobility. An injury to the intervertebral disc can cause back pain.If the outer part of the disc is damaged, it can press on the nerves, causing pain and an unpleasant disease known as sciatica.

The main cause of disc damage is age. However, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle can accelerate its onset. The best prevention would be to quit bad habits and add sports to your lifestyle.

Weak muscles and poor posture

One of the main causes of back pain is poor posture. Sitting hunched over a table causes your thigh muscles to stay in the same position for a long time and cause pain, which is aggravated if your core and back muscles are not strong enough.

The best solution to this problem is correct posture and short breaks in sedentary work. This will allow the muscles to return to their natural position and reduce the chance of lower back pain.

Osteoarthritis

Arthritis is a general term that describes a variety of diseases that cause aching pain and swelling in the joints. Damaged bones and joints can press on nerves, causing back pain. The main causes of osteoarthritis are obesity, diabetes, age and genetics.

As in all cases, prevention is the best solution. Stretching sports can be excellent sports choices. For example, yoga or gymnastics.

If you decide to skip the entire article and go only to the last paragraph, then I will combine all the tips into one: lead a healthy and active lifestyle. You will surely prevent lower back pain, and trust me, this is just one of the many benefits of an athletic lifestyle.

Obesity: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Obesity is a worldwide common disease that affects both adults and children, both men and women.This is a disease that manifests itself in the form of excess fatty deposits, which can be under the skin, in organs and tissues. Determining whether a person’s body weight has seriously increased is very simple. If the weight has increased by 20%, and this was not planned, then this may be the first sign of obesity that a person suffers from. Obesity has a very bad effect on a person’s condition, especially for women. The thing is that the disease begins to bring psychological and physical discomfort, causes sexual dysfunction, leads to problems with the spine, joints, and women’s health.

Due to the development of obesity, a person may develop diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart attack, stroke, or problems with the kidneys and liver may occur. It is not a very rare case that obesity leads to disability and death. It is possible to get rid of this disease if you turn to experts, take up your own health.

If we consider the general information about obesity, what it is and what may accompany it, it is important to note that the disease affects more women than men.It is the female body that is twice as overweight as the male, which leads to a number of complications. The fact that a person is thin in his youth and does not make any related efforts to keep himself in shape does not mean that he will be like that all his life. Obesity can often manifest itself in a person between the ages of 30 and 60.

In general, the development of obesity can provoke both certain causes and general predisposing factors, consequences associated with the body.For example, excess weight can begin to rapidly gain due to the fact that the activity of lipogenesis enzymes is either increased or decreased. In addition, genetics plays an important role. Certain endocrine disorders can start to show signs of obesity. Human psychological health is a complex area, the violation of which also leads to either rapid weight gain or weight loss. Even a certain virus can be the beginning of the fact that a woman or a man will forget about his usual body shape for a while and will look for the cause.

During obesity, a special process occurs in the human body: deposits begin to be regulated, and fat is mobilized from the fat depot. All this begins due to the fact that a malfunction occurs in the work of the central nervous mechanisms, due to which appetite can increase and the desire to lead an active lifestyle can disappear. Due to the fact that metabolic processes begin to work differently, fat accumulates in the folds of the human body, which leads to consequences. It cannot be said that all this is due to a sedentary lifestyle or improper diet, there are more than enough common factors of obesity.

Experts identify certain forms of obesity, which can be calculated by the degree of increase in human body weight. So, the following parameters are considered the classic common forms of obesity:

• the first level of obesity is defined by the following figures: 30-35 kg / m2;
• the second level of obesity is determined by the following figures: 35-40 kg / m2;
• the third level of obesity is defined by the following figures: 40 and more kg / m2.

If the figure is up to 30 kg / m2, then this is not yet a form of obesity, but only possible pre-obesity, which can be easily corrected with the help of a diet and a complex of physical activities without consequences.There are several types of obesity, from which both women and men most often suffer, since the body may not be completely covered with excess fat, but in certain places. So, obesity can be of the upper, lower type, or mixed.

The disease causes a number of complications that do not end only with human complexes in the social environment. Of course, due to excess weight, especially in adult women, psychological problems arise, because they cease to feel beautiful and attractive.Men pay less attention to their excess weight and do not worry about it, but, unfortunately, obesity can contribute to other complications of obesity. So, an overweight person may develop type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, problems with the heart, liver, kidneys, constant heartburn, shortness of breath and much more may begin to torment. If we pay attention to more serious diseases, then, of course, this is cancer of varying degrees, increased mortality.

This disease can and should be fought not only in order to look attractive, but also in order to live a long life.It is better not to self-medicate and consult a specialist, because each case needs its own diet or exercise complex. The first step is to determine the cause of obesity, find the factors that indicate it and, guided by the advice of a doctor, promote weight loss using methods of treating obesity. All adults should understand that they need to fight excess weight before it’s too late.

Symptoms and signs

The most obvious and basic sign of obesity is noticeable excess weight, which over time can be noticed by a woman or a man due to the development of the disease.Overweight or a complication of obesity can be detected in any part of the body: from the abdomen to the pelvis, and if the muscular system is not too developed, then this becomes noticeable. Usually a woman suffering from obesity, and even a man, notices that the shape of the body has changed markedly, a second chin has appeared, and hanging folds of fat have formed on the stomach. As stated earlier, there are several degrees of obesity. So, at the initial stage, a person may not have any complaints at all.

If a person is at a higher stage of obesity, then some of the symptoms of the disease that characterize it may already appear.In general, the development of obesity, which occurs in humans, is facilitated by many different factors. That is why sometimes a change in weight is not taken seriously and a double chin does not seem to be one of the symptoms of obesity.

At the middle stage, the following symptoms of obesity and their forms are distinguished:

• a feeling of weakness and a constant feeling of drowsiness;
• irritability;
• there may be a symptom such as nausea;
• The initial development of obesity leads to the fact that the patient suffers from peripheral edema, back pain;
• nausea, constipation are also symptoms of obesity that are associated with illness;
• Another main symptom is shortness of breath, sweating, and a headache.

As for people who are at a serious stage of obesity and suffer from illness, then in their case there will be more serious symptoms, characterized by problems of the whole body. Thus, a woman or man suffering from obesity may complain of problems with the work of the heart, respiratory and digestive systems. Tachycardia, hypertension are not only diseases from which a person can suffer, but also very clear symptoms indicating obesity.

One of the symptoms that characterize the development of obesity is back pain, problems with the spine and joints. Very often, due to obesity, a woman can get an irregular menstrual cycle, because an internal organ suffers. Frequent symptoms of the disease are excessive sweating and acne. It is important to note that it does not matter what form the disease belongs to, since the symptoms of all types of obesity are similar. Therefore, one should always pay attention to organic traits.If there is obesity, the organ of any part of the body is in danger.

For a person who is likely to be obese, it is best to prevent its further development and measure the level of glucose in the blood from time to time. Any form of excess weight can also increase the level of thirst, especially if a person is addicted to something sweet, salty, or spicy. So, if you constantly want to drink, and as a result you have to make frequent urination and it is noticeable that the shape of the body has increased, then this may indicate that an organic failure has occurred.If you pay attention to the signs of the disease, the treatment of obesity in time, then it can be treated with very effective results.

Diagnostics

To identify and accurately confirm the development of obesity, it is necessary to undergo a special diagnosis from a doctor in a hospital. If something starts to hurt, it is best to go to the hospital. Often, the disease is diagnosed after an analysis such as an ultrasound scan, which reveals problems of internal organs. During the examination, the doctor must pay attention to the history, as well as the genetic predisposition to a rapid increase in body weight.During the determination of the disease of any organ and the increase in adipose tissue of the body, the specialist determines what the maximum and minimum weight can be for a certain age. In addition, at the first stage of diagnosing internal organs, the doctor learns about the patient’s eating habits, possible diets, lifestyle, existing diseases, past ultrasound results.

Obesity has its consequences, therefore, after the first signs of excess weight appear, it is worth contacting a doctor at a clinic and using traditional principles of recovery.There is a whole special system for determining the distribution of adipose tissue of an organ, which is used by a specialist using calculations. To assess the subcutaneous fat, the treatment of obesity, you need to check the size of the skin fold, which is what the specialist will do during the diagnosis.

Professional examination of obesity treatment uses modern principles and methods, due to which ultrasound and a number of other diagnostics are actively used, which help to understand whether the organs are in order.

The most used methods that diagnose the development of obesity of internal organs:

• ultrasound;
• nuclear magnetic resonance;
• computed tomography;
• densitometry;
• other ways.

Already at the first appointment, when the patient comes to be checked by the doctor and, in fact, the diagnosis begins, the specialist in parallel recommends contacting a psychologist, nutritionist and sign up for physiotherapy exercises.It is an integrated approach that allows you to save organs, understand which body shape is most favorable and heal the body. To make a diagnosis, the doctor must conduct an examination of the internal organs, apply innovative principles, and check the blood pressure indicators. It is best to determine whether a patient is suffering from diabetes mellitus or not, and before doing an ultrasound, send him to an ECG.

Any diagnosis of overweight should be carried out in a complex so that it gives the best result and can make the correct diagnosis.Therefore, based only on ultrasound indicators is not a very professional approach in a medical center. To find out the development and treatment of obesity, the patient must pass a blood test, urine test, check the level of cholesterol, lipoproteins, hormones. But the most information, of course, is provided by ultrasound, which clearly shows all the changes under the skin.

It is necessary to sign up for a diagnostic study and undergo an ultrasound scan, as this will be a step towards recovery. People have a frequent habit.They endure pain and symptoms to the last, but with obesity it is better not to joke and periodically visit an ultrasound scan to know about the problem.

Reasons

Experts identify several good reasons why people may develop diseases associated with obesity. Of course, each person will have their own reason, because the causes of obesity belong to different stages of the disease. It does not happen that all the factors due to which the disease begins are present in all people.

There are such classic causes of obesity:

• A disturbed balance between how much food people consume per day and how they spend their energy can predispose to obesity. In other words, the more food a person eats, the less energy he spends, which means that food eventually turns into excess fat;
• Disruption of the liver or pancreas system can be a serious cause of obesity;
• if there is a general genetic disorder of the body, then it is quite possible that a person will begin to appear overweight;
• it is impossible not to highlight the obesity of internal organs due to malnutrition;
• One of the reasons for obesity may be a sedentary lifestyle.

It is worth focusing on the fact that there are not only causes of obesity, but also some factors that can also cause obesity of internal organs. So, people who are fighting obesity can gain weight due to the fact that they have increased or decreased activity of lipogenesis enzymes. Even obesity in organs can cause an endocrine disease such as hypothyroidism. If a person takes psychotropic drugs without the permission or supervision of a doctor, then the wrong dose can lead to the fight against obesity.

With obesity, there are also reasons such as lack of sleep, constant stress, since the body will need to take energy from somewhere and then a person will start to eat more. Excessive food intake just leads to the fact that obesity begins in the organs, therefore, if you stabilize the daily regimen, then this can be avoided. Obesity is also associated with eating disorders, which leads to the disorder and the person begins to eat differently from before. But most of all, carbohydrates, which are easily absorbed in the body, can affect obesity problems, you always need to monitor your diet.

Treatment

Every person who has been suffering from obesity for some time begins to think about treatment and think about how to treat obesity in the clinic. First of all, it is worth focusing on the fact that the treatment of obesity is as effective as possible. It is best to contact one of the quality clinics in the city of Moscow. A professional medical institution will offer advanced treatment principles and one of the best treatment methods.

One of the simplest methods that the clinic uses is a hypocaloric diet, but this method will be effective only if, in addition, applying the treatment of obesity, exercise is performed. So, at the first stage of obesity, it is possible, using a method such as therapeutic fasting, to get rid of weight. When actively prescribing treatment for obesity, doctors use medication if the diet does not help. Special drugs slow down the feeling of hunger, speed up satiety, but at the same time cause side effects.That is why the treatment of obesity, like any course of treatment in the clinic, must be under the supervision of a doctor.

Within the walls of the clinic, it is effective to use such a method as the use of fat-mobilizing medication adiposin, antidepressants, which can improve eating behavior. Sometimes, during the treatment of obesity, they resort to using a method such as bariatric surgery. This method predisposes to surgical treatment if the weight is firmly maintained. Sometimes it is enough to apply cosmetic measures in the form of liposuction.

Physicians treating this disease

If we talk about which doctor treats obesity, then it is worth mentioning several specialists – this is a nutritionist and endocrinologist. In turn, the endocrinologist directly treats obesity, gives a list of indications, and the nutritionist develops a system of proper nutrition and helps during recovery. The modern clinic of JSC “Medicine” has a large number of professionals, therefore, speaking about doctors, it is worth mentioning that their full list can be found in the section “Our doctors”.Having learned more about each specialist, it will be easier to decide who to contact with the problem. Our clinic always uses an individual comprehensive approach, so there is no doubt about the effectiveness of treatment.

Indication

A person who wants to get rid of excess pounds should carry out regular physical development, systematically measure body weight, eat right, and walk more in the fresh air. It is worth excluding fatty foods, carbohydrates as much as possible, eating more fruits, vegetables, it is best to fight excess weight together with someone, so the motivation will be clearer.There is no need to give up after the first week, and the most important thing is to adhere to the recommendations of the attending specialist.

Contraindications

There are several contraindications that should not be forgotten for people who want to overcome excess weight. So, it is strictly forbidden to eat everything sweet, flour, fatty, everything that is poorly digested and lingers in the human body for a long time. It is worth giving up sugary drinks, soda, even wine, because it has a lot of calories.You can’t sit still and not exercise all the time. It is forbidden to forget to track your weight and mark how many calories were consumed per day if a person really wants to lose weight.

The cost of initial admission, research, treatment

Fighting obesity is a long process, but it is worth noting that the cost of treatment is very high if the type of disease is not neglected and the patient is motivated to improve. Already at the initial appointment, after talking with the doctor and conducting the initial diagnosis, you can find out the approximate cost of research and the most further treatment.Each case of obesity is different, therefore, the approach during treatment is also. You can get acquainted with the approximate prices in a special table of prices and services.

Benefits of treatment in the clinic of JSC “Medicine”

JSC “Medicine” (Clinic of Academician Roitberg) is a professional clinic that provides services at the highest level. The clinic employs dozens of professional specialists with many years of experience, who are ready to provide even the most difficult assistance at any time.Each patient in our clinic has individual care and treatment, which makes the treatment more effective and unique. During the treatment, only new equipment and innovative technologies are used, which makes it possible to undergo a course of treatment for obesity faster and more productively. Fast recovery is guaranteed for every patient.

The doctor associated excess weight with an unexpected diagnosis for patients

Endocrinologists should be contacted not only by patients, but also by healthy people for prophylaxis.For example, when planning a family, pregnancy, a visit to an endocrinologist is simply a must! With the extinction of reproductive function after forty years – too.

I have been working with patients for over a quarter of a century, and in my practice there have been many interesting, special cases. Of course, rare endocrine pathologies are especially memorable.

I well remember one patient, still a young man, only 36 years old, who was examined by neurologists for a long time due to persistent back pain.Nothing else bothered him anymore. And then one day, a few months later, he was admitted to the hospital by ambulance with an attack of atrial fibrillation (severe heart disease).

I consulted him in the hospital, and it turned out that the patient had very severe hypothyroidism (a pathology caused by a malfunction of the thyroid hormone), which manifested itself in an uncharacteristic way: there was no chilliness or bradycardia – only back pain. The condition was serious, fluid formed in the pericardium, which caused a rhythm disturbance – atrial fibrillation.

The patient was compensated by the appointment of substitution therapy. However, since his pathology was rare and severe, all his glands gradually began to fail. First, adrenal insufficiency developed, then malfunctioning of other glands of the endocrine system began, followed by type 1 diabetes mellitus, then diabetes insipidus. And yet, we selected the right treatment for the patient with an extremely rare pathology that supported the function of each gland.And he even retained his ability to work.

It would seem that hypothyroidism has become a very common pathology today, but many still do not know what symptoms should cause an immediate appeal to an endocrinologist. These are chills, hair loss, decreased activity, lethargy, decreased attention, drowsiness, there may be headaches, which are not always pronounced.

These symptoms are attributed by many to the weather, depression, fatigue; start taking vitamins and waste time.In general, an endocrinologist should be consulted often. I will say this: if you do not know which doctor to go to, you have to go to an endocrinologist. The endocrine system is one of the body’s oldest regulatory systems that is responsible for overall health.

Most endocrine pathologies today can be compensated. The same hypothyroidism, for example, is corrected with thyroxines. Treatment is usually started with a small dose, gradually bringing it to the desired level.

Weight gain is the most common among endocrine pathologies today.To which, as a rule, few people pay attention and rarely consider it a pathology. Meanwhile, if a person began to add extra pounds out of the blue, you must definitely contact an endocrinologist who will establish the hormonal status. Almost always, hormonal disorders are the cause of weight gain: they are associated with both typical overeating and metabolic disorders. The increased production of insulin leads to the formation of insulin resistance, increased appetite and, as a result, the appearance of extra pounds.

Very many Russians today are in a state of prediabetes: not yet a disease, but its precursor. This is when there is already excess weight and a violation of carbohydrate metabolism has begun, but the development of the disease can still be prevented.

Endocrinologists keep repeating: sugar doesn’t hurt. And with diabetes, a person may not feel pronounced symptoms. However, if you begin to gain excess weight, which is difficult to throw off, it is imperative to visit an endocrinologist for preventive purposes!

The following symptoms should also be the reason for treatment: there is a craving for sweets; you start to get up at night to use the toilet more often than usual; worried about dry mouth, unmotivated weakness, and fatty deposits appear mainly in the abdomen.It is imperative to consult an endocrinologist if a woman’s waist exceeds 80 cm, and a man’s – 96 centimeters; and / or if the body mass index (BMI) exceeds 27. BMI is calculated using the formula: weight divided by height squared. This already speaks of metabolic disorders and a possible violation of carbohydrate metabolism or BMI above 27.

And I would also like to draw your attention to the following problem. Very often, girls with menstrual irregularities turn to gynecologists, but they do not always go to an endocrinologist, although in many cases they need a well-chosen hormonal therapy.Female sex hormones are part of the body’s hormonal system, their production is regulated at the level of the pituitary gland. You should always look at the body as a whole, and not treat any part of it. And the body as a whole is the competence of the endocrinologist, sometimes it is easier for us to see the pathology, because all health depends on hormones.

For example, once a 25-year-old girl came to see me after she had been observed by a gynecologist for menstrual irregularities for several years.The doctor prescribed drugs for her that caused her periods, and she took them honestly. And she was “treated” in this way until her bones began to break. Then she already reached the endocrinologist with suspicion of osteoporosis. I assigned her various studies, as a result of which it turned out: the patient has a hormonally active formation in the adrenal glands, which produces glucocorticoids, which has led to a malfunction throughout the body. The girl managed to help only in an operative way: the education was removed, after which she became perfectly pregnant, and today she already has two children.

.. Are there any ways to prevent endocrine disorders? Of course, hormonal disorders are often genetically determined. But still the way of life is important in their development. Modern life often involves physical inactivity, irregular nutrition, stress. All these factors, of course, negatively affect the body and ultimately cause disruptions in the endocrine system.

From the point of view of prevention, you need to see a doctor not when something is already bothering you, but regularly.And, of course, no one canceled a healthy lifestyle: you need to have a full, balanced diet, exercise, observe the daily regimen. But! A healthy lifestyle does not involve extremes. Proper nutrition does not at all mean strict diets and rejection of certain food groups. Physical activity should not be exhausting, wear and tear. This will keep you healthy for years to come. And not only their own health, but also the health of future children and descendants.

See also: “The cardiologist named alarming symptoms that” confuse “doctors”

“A female doctor told about terrible cases from practice”

90,000 Spinal infections (spinal infections) – treatment, symptoms, causes, diagnosis

Infections of the spine are varied, and include both spontaneous and secondary infections from other foci in the body.Spinal infections are rare, especially in developed countries. An estimated 0.037 ppm of disc infections, 0.037 bacterial osteomyelitis of the spine and epidural abscess occur annually. Postoperative infections on average range from 1% after conventional discectomy and up to 6-8% after operations with fixators.

Certain groups of people are at a higher risk of developing spinal infections. These are people who abuse smoking, are obese, malnourished, with weakened immunity, or with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome resulting from the treatment of cancer, suffering from arthritis, after organ transplantation, drug addicts, patients with diabetes mellitus, or those who have undergone invasive procedures on the urinary tract.Both tuberculosis and syphilitic lesions of the spine are quite rare.

Symptoms vary with the specific infection, but persistent back pain without a history of trauma is the primary concern. Often, the diagnosis is delayed due to not always pronounced symptoms or difficulty in identifying pain syndrome, and the absence of systemic signs, such as fever. Laboratory tests can also be misleading, such as, for example, there may be a normal number of leukocytes, radiographs often do not reveal any abnormalities in the early stages of the disease, and even more sensitive diagnostic methods, such as a bone scan (CT), may initially be without pathological signs during the first week of the disease.Today, if a spinal infection is suspected, the only reliable diagnostic method is MRI. In addition, an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) blood test is a screening test.

Dyscitis , or disc space infection, is an inflammatory lesion of the intervertebral disc that occurs more frequently in children than in adults. The cause of discitis is still a matter of debate, but most researchers consider this disease to be infectious.The infection likely starts in one of the end plates and the disc becomes infected a second time. Severe back pain that occurs unexpectedly is a characteristic symptom of discitis. Although most children will continue to walk despite the pain, young children may refuse to move. Expansion of the spine on radiography and complete refusal of the child to bend the spine are also characteristic signs. Children with discitis, as a rule, do not have systemic diseases. They rarely have fever and white blood cell counts are often normal.However, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is generally increased.

Lateral radiographs of the spine usually show disc space narrowing with erosion of the vertebral endplates of the adjacent vertebrae. CT can be helpful in localizing lesions that are difficult to diagnose clinically. In some cases, tomography may be false negative, but this is not a reason for excluding disc infection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be necessary to diagnose the location of a disc infection.Therapeutic measures for discitis are still a topic of discussion. Most doctors recommend immobilization with plaster and, as a rule, in many cases this tactic is justified. In addition, antibiotic therapy is recommended due to the infectious genesis of discitis (in the human body, it is most often Staphylococcus aureus). When treating discitis in children, a biopsy is usually not required. A biopsy may be indicated for adolescents or adults, especially if drug use is suspected, as in such cases there will be other microorganisms, not Staphylococcus aureus.

Osteomyelitis of the spine is an infection of the vertebral body. Osteomyelitis can be caused by both bacteria and fungi. Bacterial or pyogenic osteomyelitis occurs most often. Osteomyelitis is different from a disc space infection. These can be infections from other parts of the body brought into the spine by hematogenous disease. These patients have systemic signs such as fever, an increase in the number of leukocytes and ESR.The average time from symptom onset to definitive diagnosis typically ranges from 8 weeks to 3 months. The onset is usually acute, and with back pain is the most common symptom. The pain is localized initially at the level of the involved area with a gradual increase in intensity. The pain eventually becomes so intense that it does not go away even when lying down.

Usually, neurological symptoms do not occur until the destruction and disintegration of the vertebral body occurs during the process.Other symptoms include: recurrent chills, weight loss, urinary disorder (dysuria), photophobia, and discharge from a postoperative wound (if surgery was performed). The causative agent of the disease, as a rule, is Staphylococcus aureus. Osteomyelitis requires long-term antibiotic therapy – usually intravenous antibiotics for six weeks and then oral antibiotics for another six weeks. Surgical treatment may be necessary for chronic infections such as tuberculosis of the spine.Most often, such infections are found in underdeveloped countries.

Epidural abscess is an infection that occurs in the space around the dura mater (dural membrane) that surrounds the spinal cord and nerve roots. These pus-containing lesions can surround the spinal cord and / or nerve roots and exert a compressive effect with dysfunction of the nerve structures. Symptoms may be mild (paresthesias – a tingling sensation by a pin) or mild general weakness.A back examination is required to assess the presence of asymmetry, paravertebral edema and vertebral tenderness, as well as to study the neurological status. In the diagnostic plan, ESR is important as well as in other spinal infections. The white blood cell count and blood culture are used as baseline parameters. A conventional radiograph is not informative. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic method for choosing treatment tactics. MRI examination allows to determine the presence of spinal cord compression and the state of the spinal cord, to determine the presence and size of an abscess, to diagnose concomitant osteomyelitis, and to exclude the formation of paravertebral fluid collection.The indications for surgical decompression of the spinal cord are an increase in neurological deficit, persistent severe pain, high fever, and an increase in leukocytes.

Postoperative infections. An increase in the incidence of postoperative wound infections is associated with an increase in the use of fixators. The advantages of rigid fixation of the spine using special (metal) clamps are the ability to accelerate regeneration and reduce external immobilization in the postoperative period in order to increase the rate of fusion and reduce postoperative external immobilization – the results are obvious.But infection is one of the main disadvantages of foreign body implantation into the spine. The prophylactic use of antibiotics has some effect, but a small percentage of complications cannot be avoided. Basically, the risk of infection depends on the initial state of the body. It has recently been determined that, in particular, smokers are at a very high risk of postoperative exposure. The diagnosis of postoperative infection is usually made on the basis of discharge from the wound or sudden onset of pain.Other symptoms are fever, hematoma formation, redness and swelling in the wound area, increased ESR, and an increase in the number of leukocytes in the blood. After a suspicion of infection has arisen, an operative examination of the wound is necessary, which is performed in the operating room and under anesthesia. This is necessary for active surgical debridement of the entire wound. Diagnostic imaging is of limited use. Treatments for infected wounds include debridement, broad-spectrum antibiotics, injecting antibiotics into the wound, wound irrigation, or open treatment.