Ukmedix knows all about the dangers of obesity and the newsroom is always full of new reports showing how obesity can cause heart problems, cancers and diabetes as well as many other health problems. Recently however reports have been coming in showing that researchers in America have come across evidence that shows that the amount of diagnostic imaging tests that have been shown to be inconclusive have risen by 2 times over the last fifteen years and the main reason for that it seems is obesity. 

The researchers examined all the radiology exams done in the Massachusetts General Hospital from 1989 to 2003 so that could see how the recent rise in obesity was affecting the diagnostic quality of the images. The study showed that in 1989 only 0.1% of inconclusive images were because of obese patients but that by 2003 the percentage had risen to 0.19% notwithstanding the advances registered in the imaging technology.

It is actually possible to increase the power on the X rays and CT equipment however the radiation increase is not good for the patients but on the other hand the incomplete scans that are the result of obesity can mean that patients are not diagnosed properly or that health complications are completely missed.

The CT and MRI examinations can also be limited by the fact that there are weight restrictions with the machines and the opening on some imaging scanners can be too small. The normal CT tables can only take patients of up to 450lbs and the MRI machines will normally give good readings in patients who weigh up to 350lbs.

This problem is yet another example of how obesity can be detrimental to the overall health of a person and how badly the obesity epidemic in the United States is affecting the health of the nation.