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.
The Importance of Weight Management for Long-Term Health
Obesity and overweight have reached epidemic levels in the United States. Statistics show that American adults are in bad shape:
- 30.7% are overweight
- 42.4% are obese
- 9.2% are severely obese
And kids aren’t faring much better:
- 16.1% are overweight
- 19.3% are obese
- 6.1% are severely obese
Those staggering numbers mean that most of the population is at risk for serious health problems. The good news is that the right help makes significant weight loss possible.
Dr. James Lee specializes in medically supervised weight loss, including cutting-edge treatments that help you break through even the toughest weight loss barriers.
At Woodstock Family Practice & Urgent Care, Dr. Lee provides comprehensive health care and monitors your weight loss journey to ensure you’re losing weight safely and progressively. Aside from looking and feeling better, weight loss contributes to a longer, healthier life.
What you gain when you lose weight
Losing just a few pounds can boost your confidence and energy level, and losing significant weight impacts your overall health, quality of life, and life expectancy. Here’s how.
Lowers your risk of Type 2 diabetes
Since excess body fat interferes with insulin production, being overweight puts you at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. If you already have diabetes, carrying around extra pounds worsens your condition. Losing just 5%-10% of your body weight can greatly affect your health.
Lowers your risk of heart disease
When you’re overweight, your heart has to work harder to pump blood out to your body parts. All of that extra work can damage your heart muscle, but losing weight relieves the pressure from your arteries and eases the stress on your heart. It also lowers your cholesterol.
Lowers your risk of stroke
A stroke occurs when a blood clot breaks into pieces, and the pieces travel to your brain and block essential nutrients and oxygen. Overweight people have a higher risk of developing blood clots and stroke, so losing weight can help you prevent this tragedy.
Lowers your risk of certain cancers
Being overweight creates an ideal environment for cancer because fat tissue:
- Raises your levels of insulin and insulin growth factor 1
- Generates chronic inflammation
- Produces excess estrogen
- Regulates cancer cell growth
Losing just 5%-10% of your body weight can dramatically improve your chances of avoiding certain cancers, such as breast, thyroid, pancreatic, esophageal, prostate, and uterine cancers, to name a few.
Lowers your risk of sleep apnea
When fat deposits build up in your neck, they can collapse while you sleep and close your airway. This condition, which is called obstructive sleep apnea, disrupts your sleep multiple times throughout the night, leaving you feeling fatigued and foggy during the day.
Losing weight reduces your risk of developing sleep apnea and reduces the problem if you already have it.
Increases energy
When you lose weight, your joints feel better, you sleep better, and your body uses food more efficiently, which all add up to a burst of energy. The more energy you have, the more you’ll move and exercise, which also generates more energy and facilitates more weight loss. It’s a win-win.
Increases sex drive
Excess fat messes with your hormones and can tank your libido. But losing weight does the reverse and awakens your sex drive. A healthy sex life is vital to your overall health.
Improves your mental health
Weight loss gives you a boost of confidence that spills over into all areas of your life. You have more energy, you smile more, and your emotional and mental health strengthen.
When you’re ready to seize the long-term health benefits of weight loss, don’t look to dangerous fad diets — contact us online or by phone to develop a personalized plan that works for your body and lifestyle.
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