In obese patients, heat dissipation is limited by a reduced ratio of body surface area to body mass, so obese people sweat profusely, especially after meals. Early musculoskeletal problems such as early knee and hip osteoarthritis and degenerative spinal conditions may occur more frequently in obese individuals. Furthermore, overweight people have a tendency to varicosis (varicose veins), thrombosis, thrombophlebitis (acute thrombosis of the superficial veins with an inflammatory reaction of the vessel wall) and edema (water retention). In extreme obesity, Pickwick’s syndrome may occur, which is characterized by periodic carbon dioxide retention and hypoxia (reduced supply of oxygen to the body) due to nocturnal hypoventilation (“sleep apnea”) – associated with increased cardiovascular risk (risk of heart disease). There is a tendency to develop hypertension (high blood pressure) as well as hyperuricemia (gout) associated with metabolic syndrome. Obesity is a basic component of the metabolic syndrome, a combination of android (abdominal, belly) obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and hypertriglyceridemia (lipid metabolism disorder with elevation of triacylglycerides in the blood) with lowered HDL levels. Due to continuously superimposed skin folds, as can often be seen in extremely obese patients, mycosis (infection with fungi) can occur in these skin folds.
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate overweight or obesity:
- Shortness of breath and shortness of breath
- Sleep apnea
- Back pain
- Knee pain
- Increased sweating
- Depressed mood
- Anxiety disorders
- Feelings of inferiority
