October 2015 ~ Medical Tourism In India

Junk Food And Its Effect On Health

04:21:00

Food is fuel for the body & has a direct impact on how we feel as well as on our overall health. Helping children develop healthier eating habits is proving to be a great struggle for parents all around the world. With hectic pace of life & a demanding work culture, even health conscious parents nowadays tolerate these undesirable eating habits. Junk food is a tempting option for a variety of reasons, including convenience, price & most importantly taste. Junk food is “any pre-prepared or packaged food that contains large portions of unhealthy fat & added sugar but is low in nutrition”. There are many harmful repercussions to persistent fast food eating habits, not just the inevitable weight gain. For children, who do not always understand consequences of their eating habits, junk food may appear especially appetizing leading to complications like chronic illness, low self-esteem & even depression alongside affecting their performance in school & extracurricular activities.

21^st Century Woes

It is the 21^st century & junk food is now available all over the world. We see it everywhere - in grocery & convenience stores, fast-food restaurants, on television - always looking very inviting & appealing. Major problem with fast food is that people don’t feel full even after consumption & which inevitably leads to over eating. So when fast food replaces real food, it leads to poor nutrition & poorer health.

Affects on Digestive & Cardiovascular System

When carbohydrate intake is excessive, it causes a spike in blood sugar levels. Such frequent spikes may create causative factors for type 2diabetes. Added sugars have no nutritional value whatsoever which cause heart diseases. Trans fats, found in almost all kinds of fast food, raise the undesirable kind of cholesterol levels. Sodium holds on to water & hence too much of it can lead to puffiness & bloating due to water retention. It also causes constipation since it contains little to no fiber content. It also contributes to high blood pressure. Children who have high sodium intake are at increased risk of developing high blood pressure at an early age. Excess sodium is also a contributory factor for kidney diseases & stomach cancer. High BP & cholesterol levels are main risk factors for stroke.

Associated Respiratory System Problems

Obesity is associated with respiratory problems & treating these complaints may lead to further complications. Even without diagnosis—obesity causes episodes of shortness of breath or wheezing with slightest exertion. Obesity may even help develop sleep apnea (shallow or irregular breathing during sleep) & asthma.

Dietary Triggers on Central Nervous System

Different things cause different types of headaches. Dietary triggers that are most often found in fast food include salts, processed meats, nitrates & MSG monohydrate. Recent studies show that consumption of commercial baked foods like croissants, doughnuts & fast food may be linked to depression. People who eat fast food frequently are 51% more likely to develop depression than those who eat little to no fast food. Junk food also diminishes energy levels & ability to concentrate for longer periods of time.

Junk Food is Bad for Skin & Bones

Greasy foods are often blamed for acne but the real culprit is carbohydrates. Carbohydrate rich foods increase blood sugar which might trigger acne. Poor oral health is another problem faced when junk food consumption is in excess. Sodium increases risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition of thin, fragile bones & which is a silent disease & progresses silently with effects felt only after it has reached advanced levels.

Top 9 Medical Causes of Obesity

Medical Causes of Obesity

Normally, weight gain occurs when we regularly eat more calories than we need or use through physical activity & other bodily functions. Going by this logic losing weight must essentially mean taking-in fewer calories & burning more energy through physical activity. Though this sounds simple, it is practically not so simple. There are many other factors which may trigger weight gain beyond this logic that we are unable to comprehend. Medical causes for obesity, invariably requires professional help. Finding the underlying cause for weight gain is the first step in the right direction.

Some Medical Reasons for Weight Gain

Underactive Thyroid – Medically known as Hypothyroidism, which means that the thyroid gland is not producing enough hormones which eventually play a central role in regulating metabolism. Though this can occur at any age in either sex, it is most common in older women after menopause. This condition is normally treated with daily hormone replacement tablets.
Diabetes Treatment – Weight gain is common side effect for people taking insulin to manage diabetes. People with longstanding diabetes eat diets to match insulin doses which can be more than they need to so as to prevent developing low blood sugar. Excessive snacking to prevent hypoglycaemia contributes to excess calorie intake & overall weight gain.
Aging – People lose modest amount of muscle as they get old. This is largely because they become less active. Since muscles are efficient calorie burners, loss of muscle translates to weight gain even if we are eating & drinking the same amount of food.
Steroid Treatment – Also known as corticosteroids, these are normally used to treat a variety of conditions like arthritis & asthma. Long-term use of steroids increases appetite, thereby leading to weight gain in some people.
Cushing’s Syndrome – Caused by high levels of cortisol hormone developing as side-effect of long-term steroid treatment, Cushing’s Syndrome is rare & affecting about one in 50,000 people. It is also the result of tumor called endogenous Cushing’s syndrome, where weight gain is a common symptom, particularly on face, chest & stomach. Withdrawing steroid usage, or involving surgery to remove tumor are typical treatments for this condition.
Stress & Low Mood – People respond differently to anxiety, stress & depressed mood. While some lose weight, others gain. This is a vicious circle since weight gain from depression can make you more depressed. Distractions like exercise or hobbies, walking & bathing can bring respite.
Tiredness – Sleep-deprived people have reduced levels of Leptin which make us feel full, & higher levels of Ghrelin which is a hunger-stimulating hormone. People who always feel tired are likely to go for high-calorie snacks & do little physical activity & burn fewer calories.
Fluid Retention – Also called Oedema, fluid retention swells up the body thereby gaining weight caused by accumulation of fluids. Fluid retention can cause breathlessness therefore, consulting a doctor is sensible as it may indicate heart or kidney problems as well.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – This is a common condition which affects function of female ovaries. Symptoms include irregular periods, difficulty getting pregnant, excessive hair & weight gain. While exact causes of PCOS are unknown, it is largely related to hormones. Women with PCOS typically put on extra weight in the waist.

Weight Loss Treatments in India

India is fast emerging as a leading global medical tourism destination. Top surgeons in this country are reputed to be some of the best in the world. They are aware & well versed with latest advanced technologies in practice & current trends. Proper diagnosis of underlying causes is important to effective weight loss treatments. Travcure medical tourism is one of the fastest growing medical tourism companies in India. Associated with the best hospital facilities, they can provide affordable low cost solutions for a variety of bariatric procedures to international patients around the world seeking weight loss treatments.