It is not uncommon for people to experience aches and pains, especially as they age. There are many reasons for pain including specific health conditions, age, and overuse of muscles. But did you know that being overweight increases your risk of pain? In fact, according to WebMD, a large study found that ‘obesity and pain often go hand in hand’. The folk at Salt Lake City’s KindlyMD say that this is one of the reasons doctors at pain clinics will often include diet and lifestyle changes as part of their treatment plans.
How Does Weight Cause Pain?
It might be hard to understand how putting on a bit of weight might make you feel pain but being overweight or obese can contribute to many health problems, many of which cause pain. These can include type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and fibromyalgia.
Although we often do not want to hear it or admit it, carrying excess weight puts extra pressure on our joints. When this happens, it can cause joints to become worn and sore. Extra weight can also put a huge strain on bones, leading to pain in the hips and back, for example.
Aside from the pressure that excess weight puts on joints and bones, there are also other ways in which it contributes to pain. Having extra weight around the abdominal region can put pressure on the stomach, especially at night when we are sleeping, which then causes fluids such as stomach acid to rise out of the stomach and up into the esophagus. This often leads to conditions like heartburn or reflux disease. Those who suffer with this reflux may end up with a burning sensation in the chest or throat, and pain in the chest or abdomen.
How to Lose Weight and Ease Your Pain
If you are overweight and are suffering with pain in your joints, the two could be related. Before starting a course of pain medication, it might be best to try to lose some of those excess pounds. Although it sounds easier said than done, making even small changes can have a dramatic impact on your weight and overall health.
According to Harvard Health, it is easier to stick to a new eating plan if you find one that you enjoy. If you are serious about losing weight, you can join a reputable weight loss program where you can attend weekly meetings to learn more about good food choices. These meetings can help you to stay on track because you will get weighed there. There is also a community of people in the same position all sharing tips on how to lose weight without cutting out the foods you love.
Portion sizes are often a big problem for many people. Most of us eat more than we need and eating too fast is another common cause of weight gain. It takes our brains around twenty minutes to realize we are full, so eating slower from smaller plates can be an immense help.
Eating healthier foods will also help, especially if you cut back on your intake of highly processed sugary foods such as cakes, biscuits, and candy. You can still have these foods but try to have them in moderation – maybe once a week or only on special occasions.
To conclude, the best way to lose weight is to eat fewer calories than you are burning. You can do this by cutting down on your calorie intake or doing more exercise. A combination of both will speed up the weight loss. Losing weight will reduce the stress and pressure on bones and joints and should stop you from being in constant pain.
