Gastrointestinal Physiology in Obesity
April 2012
TLDR Obesity is linked to many gastrointestinal diseases and needs more research for treatment development.
The document from April 16, 2012, examines the impact of obesity on gastrointestinal physiology and the increased risk of related diseases. It notes that obesity affects the entire gastrointestinal tract, leading to conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gallstone formation, liver diseases such as fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and colon cancer. The document discusses the association between obesity and GERD, with a positive correlation between BMI and GERD symptoms, particularly in women, and mentions that bariatric surgery is the most effective long-term treatment for obesity. It also explores the role of gut flora in obesity and the potential contribution of gut microbiota to the inflammatory state associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. The document concludes that obesity is linked to numerous gastrointestinal diseases, but the underlying mechanisms are complex and require further research to develop new treatments for gastrointestinal diseases and obesity.
