Obesity is a worldwide epidemic, and it’s not just bad for your physical appearance. It’s also a risk factor for many diseases. Obese individuals are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and heart disease, among other serious health problems.
Why is obesity so dangerous? For starters, excess fat tissue can produce hormones and chemicals that increase inflammation in the body. Inflammation is associated with weakened immunity and increased risk of heart disease, as well as other conditions like Alzheimer’s disease or cancer.
Additionally, obese individuals tend to have higher levels of cholesterol than those who are in a healthy weight range (BMI between 18.5-25). High LDL (“bad”) cholesterol has been linked with an increased risk of heart attack or stroke; high triglyceride levels have been connected with inflammation throughout the body; low HDL (“good”) cholesterol has been connected with a higher risk of stroke; while high blood pressure increases your chances of developing heart disease or having a stroke.
Fortunately, medical science has come a long way in dealing with obesity. One way it is doing so is through different medical devices, some of which we will discuss here.
Are Medical Devices the Only Way Out of Obesity?
First things first – edical devices are effective in dealing with obesity, but they are not the only way out of it. Did you know that therapy helps deal with obesity, too, especially when it is because of an eating disorder?
While it is hard to find professionals who deal with such cases, it is possible to get help. If you live in California, reach out to California therapists who specialize in dealing with eating disorders. Consulting them will be perfect for you if you think an eating disorder is a reason behind your obesity.
Apart from that, the other ways you can deal with obesity include:
- Exercising daily
- Limiting your daily food intake
- Limiting your sugar and alcohol intake
- Avoiding fatty foods
- Going on a fat-free diet
- Ensuring proper rest at night
These things can help you deal with obesity without needing devices to be fitted in you. However, if you need to, the following devices are just as helpful, if not more:
Gastric Bands
Gastric banding is a type of bariatric surgery that involves placing an inflatable band around the upper part of your stomach. The band creates a tiny pouch at the top of your stomach, which fills up with food without stretching much. This makes you feel full sooner, so you eat less over time.
Gastric banding is a minimally invasive procedure that requires only small incisions on each side of your abdomen (stomach area). The surgeon puts thin instruments through these openings and gently expands the upper part of your stomach by placing an adjustable silicone band around it.
Electrical Stimulation System
An electrical stimulation system is a device that uses electrical pulses to stimulate the vagus nerve. This can help reduce food intake and improve satiety, resulting in weight loss. It can also reduce cravings for food, improve metabolism, lower blood sugar levels and cholesterol, and lower blood pressure and blood fats (triglycerides).
Gastric Balloons
Gastric balloons are often used to treat obesity. They are inserted into the stomach through the mouth and inflated with liquid, which makes it easier for patients to feel full after eating small amounts of food. The balloons can be removed after a certain time.
Gastric Emptying System
A gastric emptying system is used to treat obesity. It helps to control the patient’s food intake and reduce the number of calories that are absorbed by the body.
The device consists of a small tube that is inserted into the stomach through an opening in your abdomen. The tube has a valve that opens when you swallow food, allowing it to pass through into your intestines, where it can be digested. When you’re full, you press a button that closes off the valve so that food cannot enter your intestine until later when digestion is complete and no longer needed.
ReShape Integrated Dual Balloon System
The ReShape Integrated Dual Balloon System is an endoscopic, minimally invasive procedure that uses the body’s natural mechanisms to help you lose weight. The small device is placed in your stomach through a tube inserted into your mouth and down into your esophagus. It works by expanding or inflating inside of you to make you feel fuller, faster, and longer.
By filling up with food as it enters your stomach from your esophagus (the gullet), this device helps reduce the amount of space available for new food intake, so you eat less over time.
vBloc Therapy
VBloc Therapy is a weight loss device that uses electrical stimulation to suppress appetite. It’s FDA approved and can be used for up to three years. VBloc Therapy is implanted in the abdomen and works by stimulating nerves that connect to the brain and affect feelings of hunger. This helps patients feel full faster, so they eat less food over time.
Bottomline
The medical devices used to treat obesity are an important part of the treatment for those who are struggling with their weight. They can help you achieve your goal of losing weight and keeping it off, as well as improve your overall health.
