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Updated: Jun 7, 2026
04:50
An Acupoint Catgut-embedding Therapy for Treating Obesity
Published on: April 4, 2025
Gastrointestinal system and obesity
Doyle D Ashburn1, Mary Jane Reed
1Department of Critical Care Medicine, Geisinger Medical Center, 100 North Academy Avenue, Danville, PA 17822, USA.
Critical Care Clinics
|October 26, 2010
Summary
Obesity causes gastrointestinal changes, increasing risks for critical illness complications like GERD and NAFLD. Critical care teams must recognize these factors for effective patient management.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Obesity presents unique challenges in critical care settings.
- Significant gastrointestinal (GI) alterations are associated with obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight key GI changes in obese patients relevant to critical illness.
- To inform critical care providers about obesity-related GI complications.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on obesity and gastrointestinal pathophysiology.
- Analysis of common GI conditions prevalent in obese populations.
Main Results:
- Obesity is linked to increased risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Abdominal compartment syndrome is a potential complication in obese critically ill patients.
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cholelithiasis incidence are higher in obese individuals.
Conclusions:
- Critical care providers must be aware of obesity-related GI issues.
- Understanding these complications is crucial for optimizing management strategies.
- Proactive identification and management of GI complications can improve outcomes for obese critically ill patients.
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