You probably get tired of hearing that obesity is a serious problem in our modern world, but it is true. Obesity by itself isn’t ideal - it can cause minor health-related problems, as well as pose some challenges in your social life - but the bigger issue is that it also increases your risk for a number of diseases, many of them very serious.

Here is a brief rundown of the diseases that can be caused by obesity.

Heart Disease

This is one of the most well known diseases that we know to be worsened by obesity. A poor diet and lack of exercise, while contributing to overall weight, also causes high cholesterol and raises blood pressure, which puts a greater strain on the heart. On the other hand, people who eat better and exercise regularly tend to have lower cholesterol and healthier hearts. Doctors often prescribe drugs such as statins to bring cholesterol down to manageable levels, but recent studies have questioned the effectiveness of such treatment. The best way to combat heart disease is still by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Diabetes

There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Type 1, which accounts for about 10 percent of all diabetics, is an autoimmune disease that normally strikes in childhood. The person’s insulin-producing cells are destroyed by their body’s own immune system. Type 2, on the other hand, is marked by a resistance to the body’s own insulin, which is increased by obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise. A change to a healthier lifestyle can often reduce or even eliminate the need for medication and insulin.

Sleep Apnea

When a person stops breathing for short intervals during sleep, we call this sleep apnea. How long and how frequent the intervals determines how severe the disease is, and how much of an impact it will have on the person’s physical health and everyday life. Sleep apnea is usually treated by means of a CPAP machine, which prevents the airways from closing during sleep by maintaining a continuous current of air by means of a mask strapped to the person’s face. Obesity can cause or worsen sleep apnea, so an active, healthy lifestyle can reduce or eliminate the need for CPAP equipment.

Arthritis and Back Problems

Obesity doesn’t necessarily cause arthritis or back problems - arthritis can be caused by a number of factors, such as genetics and injuries — but it can definitely make it worse. Putting a lot of weight on your ankles, knees, hips, and back amplifies pain and causes your joints or back to deteriorate faster. On the other hand, losing weight and keeping active not only reduces the strain, it also increases muscle and makes your joints and back stronger and more limber.

Cancer

Yes, obesity can even increase your risk of certain types of cancer. For instance, colon cancer and prostate cancer is more likely (and often more serious) in obese men, while obese women are more likely to die from the “women’s” cancers, such as ovarian, cervical, and breast cancer.

As you can see, many of the top killers in the United States - heart attack, diabetes, and cancer - as well as many other minor diseases are caused or at least amplified by obesity. Losing weight ought to be a no-brainer, then, and the truth is, many people want to — they just aren’t able to. The problem most dieters make is trying only to lose weight, rather than effecting a permanent change in their lifestyle. Remember, your weight is not the only important factor — how you eat and how active you are can also make a significant change in your overall health.

About the Author: This guest post is by Vern of CPAP supplies, who enjoys writing on a variety of topics, especially those related to health and alternative medicine.

Abet Guidaben, former member of the Crispa Redmanizers of the Philippines Basketball Association was recently diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis.  Guidaben was began showing symptoms of the disease when he was in Chicago last June 19 at a PBA Legends benefit game to raise money for scholarships to aid poor students in the Philippines.

His situation was so serious that he was in the Intensive Care Unit in an unnamed hospital in New Jersey. He has had difficulty speaking (dysarthria), swallowing (dysphagia), breathing and suffers from double vision. No update has been given since July 30th.

Even an athlete, who is healthy and strong can be hit with Myasthenia Gravis.

Burnshield Hydrogel Dressings provide care for 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns. This dressing contains a sterile water based gel and tea-tree oils. It doesn’t stick to the skin and can be removed easily with water or saline water. Use it during the initial 24 hours of getting a burn to treat, protect and soothe the skin.

I’ve had the unfortunate circumstance of learning about burns because of my older daughter. When she was about 12 years old and staying overnight at a friend’s home, she was invited to ride on her friend’s father’s motorcycle without my permission. Her leg touched the exhaust pipe and she was burned. I wasn’t told about it when it happened or when I picked her up the next day. She also hid it from me. By the second day, the pain was too much for her.

When I took her to the doctor, she was diagnosed with a 2nd degree burn. I learned that not getting immediate medical care made her situation worse. I also know that burn care and treatment is painful and a long process. When I find out about new forms of treatments for burns like Burnshield I like to share the news to help others.

Brought to you by my friends at Burnshield.

Avandia and Actos, two diabetes drugs have been shown to increase fractures in older women, according to a recent study done by William Herman, MD, of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and co-authors wrote in an article published online in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. The study was funded by the CDC and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Herman has served as a consultant for GlaxoSmithKline, which makes Avandia.

Avandia and Actos are used to treat Type 2 Diabetes and are called thiazolidinedione (TZD) drugs. Women with diabetes and over the age of 50 with fractures were 70% more likely to be taking a TZD drug than women without fractures. They were also 50% more likely to have limited mobility. This is the second study that shows similar results.

This hits home for me as my Aunt who is currently in a nursing home fractured her shoulder and now has extremely limited mobility. She is unable to care for herself and will most likely spend the rest of her life in a nursing facility.

You can learn how to relieve back pain, which can be a chronic condition. Back pain can have many causes. Because of that it can be difficult to diagnosis the the exact condition you have as well as the best treatment option. When you have a source that includes information about the various diagnoses, the conditions, the symptoms, the causes, the treatments and back pain products, then you can learn about back pain relief that works for you.

A good source covers all types of treatment including medical (prescription medications, OTC medications, physical therapy, surgery, etc.), exercise, diet, supplements, chiropractics and alternative (mind/body relief, inversion tables, etc.). It also provides you with  complete descriptions of treatments and a forum to discuss these treatments and it doesn’t avoid simple and free treatments like using ice and heat, stretching, and exercises that you can at home.

A forum where you connect with other people who have back pain is important. Connecting with others in your position can help you find answers and help you feel that you are not alone. You should be able to find a glossary and easy to read explanations of the conditions, diagnoses, treatments and videos that help increase your understanding. All conditions should be covered from muscle strains to spinal arthritis, and from sciatica to scoliosis. Most importantly, it should be free.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Losethebackpain.com. All opinions are my own.

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and use Humira for it. Before using Humira my doctor tried the normal prescription medications until the pain lingered and I had trouble walking, typing, opening jars and the pain lingered even more. After about two months of using Humira I began to notice that the pain lessened and I my joints were a more flexible. I could walk longer, type a bit more and open jars with one of those rubber things.

Humira had a wonderful side effect too. It helped put the Ulcerative Colitis in remission. Imagine that. If I could use Humira more than once every two weeks, I’d be shooting it up a lot, a whole lot. I learned that Humira is used to treat Chrons Disease so it’s normal to have a remission to the UC.

I had a bit of a scare the last month though. Even after the Humira, I had more than normal pain from the Rheumatoid Arthritis. It was bad and in places I didn’t have it before like my knee and my left wrist. I had trouble walking, typing and opening jars again. Sometimes it was so bad that I couldn’t do any of those things. I saw my Rheumatologist after it happened a second time. We discussed that some times the Humira can stop working on your body.

We’re going to wait it out and use some other medications in the mean time. I’m thinking positively right now because Humira has worked so well for me all along. I’m thinking that it’s a flare up and my doctor agreed that it’s a possibility too.