Do I need 10,000 steps?
In the 1960s, pedometers made in Japan for the Tokyo Olympics were called the “10,000 steps meter.” After all these years, the 10,000 step goal has remained, but do we really need that many steps?
Category: Health & Wellness
Managing Your Medications
While being active and eating well are key elements to maintaining your health, so is properly managing your medications. However, keeping track of multiple medications and supplements can be a little confusing.
Prediabetes
Prediabetes is when a person’s blood sugars are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. More than 86 million Americans, or 37% percent of American adults, have prediabetes — and most are unaware, because there are no symptoms.
Coping with Grief During the Holidays
The holiday season can be especially challenging for those who are grieving. The absence of a loved one can be difficult to deal with during this time. Reflecting on holiday memories can bring both happiness and pain.
Knowing Your Family Health History
Primary care physician Stephanie Buckley, M.D., of Carroll Health Group Primary Care in Mount Airy, explains why knowing your family’s health history is important for your own health.
HPV Vaccination = Cancer Prevention
Certified nurse midwife Ellen Ray, of Carroll Health Group OB/GYN, explains HPV, the health issues it causes and the vaccine that can help protect against it.
Cardiac Rehab: Good for Your Heart Health
After a serious heart event or heart-related diagnosis, such as a heart attack, heart failure or heart surgery, regular exercise and living a heart healthy lifestyle are crucial.
Thyroid Disorders
In honor of Thyroid Awareness Month, we’re shedding some light on this gland that is so important to your health.
Bariatric Surgery: A Possible Weight Loss Option
When it comes to losing weight, some people believe they’ve tried everything without success. For many, it’s just a matter of staying committed to your weight loss goal or visiting a dietitian to ensure you are on the right track. But for others, bariatric surgery is an alternative.
Bariatric surgery may be an option for adults who have a body mass index (BMI) over 40 or have a BMI of 35 or more with a serious health problem linked to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease or sleep apnea.
Several different types of procedures are available, but all involve restricting the stomach’s volume either temporarily or permanently to make the person feel fuller sooner.
Four of the most common bariatric procedures are:
- Gastric Bypass Surgery — this involves stapling the stomach to create a small pouch in the upper section and then cutting the person’s small intestine and rerouting it to a different area of the stomach so the body absorbs fewer calories.
- Gastric Sleeve Surgery — this involves removing a large portion of the person’s stomach, leaving only a banana-shaped section that is closed with staples.
- Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band Surgery — this involves placing a ring with an inner inflatable band around the top of the stomach.
- Intragastric Balloon Procedure — here, a saline-filled silicone balloon is placed inside the stomach and inflated. The balloon is left in place for six months.
At LifeBridge Health, all the above surgeries are performed minimally invasively at Northwest and Sinai hospitals, resulting in smaller incisions and faster recovery times. In general, people can return to their normal routines within two weeks, but should still take it easy for six to eight weeks while they heal.
While you will see a dramatic weight loss immediately after surgery, how long you will maintain that weight loss is up to you. Keeping those excess pounds from coming back still requires effort on your part. That means adopting a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and eating nutritiously, long-term, is essential.
To learn more about bariatric surgery and which procedure may be right for you, attend a Bariatric Seminar, presented by bariatric surgeon Celine Richardson, M.D., the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Carroll Hospital. To register or for more information, call 866-404-3627 (DOCS).
Stay Active in Winter
It’s getting cold outside, and that may be the perfect excuse to stay indoors this winter. As good as it sounds to stay inside, it is important to stay active to help maintain your weight.