5 Early Signs of Hypothyroidism in Women
Your period is out of whack, and you just don’t feel like yourself. It’s hard to describe, and you aren’t even sure it’s anything to worry about. Could it be hypothyroidism? Here’s how to tell.
5 Non-Cosmetic Benefits of Weight Loss
It’s the inner you that’s important, not the weight you’re carrying around, right? While that’s true to a certain extent, being overweight or obese greatly increases your risk for developing any number of chronic diseases. That’s why it’s so important to shed the excess pounds.
At Woodstock Family Practice & Urgent Care, Dr. James Lee and his team understand how trying to lose weight on your own can be, well, trying. And with 60% of Georgians falling into the overweight and obese categories, they know things have to change. That’s why they offer a weight management program for their patients in the Woodstock area, with the tools and the accountability to make your weight loss journey a success.
The relationship between excess weight and disease
Weight higher than what’s considered healthy for a given height is termed being overweight or obese. It’s often measured by body mass index (BMI); if your BMI is 25 or higher, you’re considered overweight, while if it’s 30 or higher, you’re considered obese.
Carrying around extra pounds puts you at risk for many chronic medical conditions, including:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- High cholesterol levels
- Coronary artery disease
- Peripheral artery disease
- Type 2 diabetes (elevated blood sugar)
- Stroke
- Breathing problems, including asthma and sleep apnea
- Joint problems, such as osteoarthritis in the hips, knees, and ankles
- Gallstones and gallbladder disease
- Anxiety and depression
Obese adults also have an increased risk of certain cancers, such as colon cancer, breast cancer (after menopause), and cancers of the endometrium (lining of the uterus), kidney, and esophagus. In addition, some studies have reported links between obesity and gallbladder, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers.
Children who are obese also face:
- Psychological problems, including anxiety and depression
- Low self-esteem
- Self-reported lower quality of life
- Social problems such as bullying and stigma
The CDC reports that annual obesity-related medical care costs in the United States, in 2019 dollars, were a staggering $173 billion. And 1 in 3 young adults aged 17-24 are too heavy to serve in the US military. Weight loss is essential.
5 non-cosmetic benefits of weight loss
Even a modest weight loss, say 5-10% of your total body weight, is likely to produce health benefits such as lower blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, thereby helping to stave off disease.
Other benefits include:
- Improved joint function (less stress on lower body)
- Improved sleep quality
- Better self-image and more positive attitude
- Decreased chance of vein disease (e.g., spider veins, varicose veins, venous ulcers)
- Easier to remain physically active
The more weight you’re able to lose, the greater the benefits will be.
The importance of a weight management program
Here at Woodstock Family Practice & Urgent Care, our goal is to help our patients achieve and maintain a state of wellness, which is why we offer a physician-supervised weight management program.
While on your own you might be tempted to try the latest “fad” diets or bail when the going gets tough, Dr. Lee and the staff stay with you throughout your journey, making sure your weight loss is gradual but steady, providing tools such as appetite suppressants, and holding you accountable to the process and your goals.
The hCG diet
Dr. Lee customizes your treatment plan to reflect your gender, lifestyle, overall health, and weight loss goals. For many of his patients he recommends the hCG diet, a plan that uses human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injections and a special dietary regimen that lets you lose weight quickly.
hCG is a hormone produced by the placenta in pregnant women. When used for weight loss, the injections should speed up fat metabolism and suppress your appetite.
We also have you follow a very strict diet that limits you to 500 calories a day. Your food choices include:
- Low-carbohydrate vegetables
- Lean protein
- Melba toast or breadsticks
- Unsweetened tea and coffee
- Grapefruits, apples, oranges, and strawberries
On this diet, you only eat twice a day, but because of the caloric restrictions, you’ll follow the hCG diet for just eight weeks, unless Dr. Lee instructs you otherwise.
We also offer appetite suppressants and fat-burning injections, as well as treatments for cellulite.
Need to lose weight but not sure you can do it on your own? You don’t have to. Woodstock Family Practice & Urgent Care can help you every step of the way. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Lee, call us at 770-927-7857, or book an appointment online today.
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