Some obese patients develop conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, while others manage to avoid such chronic diseases. That may be because all obesity is not the same.

Coping with diabetes or hypertension alone can prove trying. But those same individuals also may be at an increased risk of developing glaucoma.

A disease may not affect all populations in an equal manner. A recent study shows that Spanish patients with a rare genetic metabolic disease do not necessarily exhibit the same symptoms as those in other European countries.

Not all fat is created equal, especially when it comes to men with excessive weight around the middle. Some with added belly fat may be at an increased risk of developing heart disease and other serious health problems.

Excess amounts of fat and sugar force cells to self destruct when they can no longer stand the toxic environment. Scientists believe they now know why these overloaded cells commit suicide.

Managing lipids, naturally forming fats and cholesterol, can help cut the risk of cardiovascular disease. Now the European Society or Cardiology has released new guidelines to help patients and doctors work together to manage these lipids.

As many as 35 million adults in the U.S. may suffer with metabolic syndrome-- a group of risk factors including high blood pressure, obesity and high blood glucose levels.

A recent editorial in the Canadian Medical Association Journal  states that binge drinking is an excessively common practice in the United States.

Using blood tests to detect liver disease could help predict stroke in at-risk patients, according to a study out of Toronto.