Eating Disorders

...ba href=/eating disorder/a/b, there are numerous factors that are related to obesity, like genetic syndromes, neuro-endocrine disorders like thyroid deficiency, Cushing's syndrome, hyper-secretion of insulin and injury to hypothalamus.

Certain drugs like cortecosteroids and tricyclic antidepressants too can result in obesity.

Obesity is a disorder, which restricts the physical activity of a person and causes various complications.

Some studies have also linked obesity to premature death.

“There are many diseases associated with obesity, especially morbid or severe obesity.

The prevalence increases as patients gain more weight over their ideal weight,” says Dr Shrihari Dhorepatil, Consultant Obesity Surgeon at PD Hinduja National Hospital & Research Centre and Breach Candy Hospital & Research Centre.

Some diseases that result due to obesity are Type II diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia (hypercholesteremia), cardio-vascular diseases, asthma, arthritis, infertility, gallstones, sleep apnoea and venous stasis (thromboembolism).

Remedies The awareness of the disease is increasing rapidly but unfortunately it is not reflected in the number of drugs in this space.

Currently, USFDA has recommended very few drugs for obesity like Orlistat (Xenical) and Sibutramine (Laptos/Obestat).

Obesity drugs also have serious drawbacks.

“The shortcomings in obesity drugs are that the weight loss is not significant and consistent.

The drugs are not effective for long-term use...

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