Morbid obesity

Alternative names:

extreme obesity

Definition:

The point reached where the degree of obesity begins to interfere with normal physiologic functions such as breathing.

Considerations:

The human body is capable of supporting many extra pounds of adipose tissue (fat) that do not contribute to the functioning of the body. Eventually a point is reached where obesity begins first to interfere with agility and then day-to-day movement. As the obesity increases, the massive weight of tissue on the chest interferes with breathing. Affected people gradually develop hypoxemia (decreased blood oxygen saturation) and have problems with sleep apnea (periodic cessation of breathing while asleep).

Decreased blood oxygen and problems associated with sleep apnea may result in chronic fatigue, drowsing through the day (somnolence), high blood pressure, pulmonary hypertension, myocarditis, right sided heart failure (cor pulmonale), and ultimately death.

Common causes:

• excessive caloric intake
• Cushing's syndrome
• Prader-Willi syndrome
• Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome

Note: There may be other causes of morbid obesity. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as quality, time course, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for morbid obesity, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.