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Back Pain a Common Complaint from Obese Population |
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Written by Dawn S.
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Wednesday, 12 July 2006 |
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Obesity is becoming a regular medical condition in America and according to the American Obesity Association, there are more than 60 percent of adults are fall into this list. Risks connected with obesity such as coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and colon cancer. Back pain is also a problem for those men and women who suffer from obesity. They are at risk for degenerative disc disease, osteoporosis, spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis, and osteoarthritis. Along with these diseases, the three most common back problems in obese patients are degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis (slippage of the lower back disc), and disc rupture or herniation.
One of the purposes of the spine is to carry the bodys weight and spread the weight encountered during rest and activity. When there is excess weight, the spine then absorbs the burden, which may lead to structural compromise and damage.
The lumbar spine or low back is an area of the spine which is susceptible to the effects of being overweight. The muscles in the back, pelvis, and thighs become frail and inflexible due to a deficiency of exercise or mobility. When the muscles become weak, there is an increase in the likelihood of a curvature of the spine in the lower back region. This will induce to poor posture that will just make the condition and pain in the back worse.
An inactive lifestyle together with an unbalanced diet can change the density, or strength of the bones (osteoporosis). When the structural design of the spinal column is endangered, you become at risk for fracture. Vertebral fractures can be unbearable and disabling. The joints in the spine are called facet joints. Excessive body weight places irregular amounts of pressure and stress on the joints during movement and at rest (osteoarthritis). Obesity may also intensify an existing low back problem and contribute to recurrence of the condition. Generally, an unhealthy posture can be the cause of neck and back pain. A level of physical fitness is necessary to support the spine properly.
It is commonly difficult for a person who is obese to exercise. Often when they try an exercise programme, they discover that they are exhausted and experience shortness of breath. This often leads to a person not wanting to exercise at all and the pain in the back remains the same or worsens. Please remember that if you are having back pain, not exercising will only make it worse. By being still and avoiding exercising you will only further the pain you already experience. When you exercise (gently), you are stimulating healing and a flow of nutrients to the spine. When this happens, the discs will swell with water and then squeeze it out. This is the process that the body uses to exchange nutrients between the discs and other spinal structures. When you select a sedentary lifestyle, the spinal structure is not receiving the nutrients that it needs to stay strong and healthy.
When you start to exercise and lose weight, doing so in a healthy way is really important. The key to a healthy diet and exercise is balance. You should intake adequate amounts of vitamins and nutrients but do not go overboard. Before starting any exercise program or diet, it is important to consult with your health care provider. They will assess you and recommend the right treatment for your body to accomplish the maximum results you are looking for. When the burden is lessened on the spine the obese person will find it increasingly easier to exercise and will notice the pain decreasing.
When a person is obese, they will experience a large number of problems, numberless of which influence their overall health. Everyone has a different body type and a variety of different health issues can occur. Obesity causes poor circulation throughout the body, weak legs, as well as back pain. These are some of the things that can occur with obesity along with the disease mentioned above. Obesity is defined through the Body Mass Index (BMI) being between 19 and 20. This is when the amount of fat tissue all through your body is beyond the usual levels based on height, age, and weight. Human nature increase when a individual has a body weight 20 percent above average, the death rate amongst men increases 20 percent and 10 percent for women. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 11 September 2006 )
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