Men Man Up: Are you in a High Risk Category?

Being overweight and obese exacerbates many of the health issues facing men. Men tend to gain their weight in the abdominal area, which is related to the hormone testosterone, and people with extra weight in this region are at greater risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. For men, a waist size of more than 40 inches is considered a risk factor for heart disease.

For some obese and morbidly obese individuals, diet and exercise are not enough. Seeking weight loss through bariatric surgery may be the only cure leading to improvement of overall health, including recovery from diabetes, improvement in heart disease risk factors and a reduction in mortality.

Many of the diseases that plague men are directly or indirectly related to obesity but are treatable, even curable. Recent studies have pointed to a lowering or correction of many of the following risks when weight loss surgery is performed. More information on these latest studies and findings can be found by clicking here.

If you are a man (or you love one), educate yourself on the issues and diseases you’re most at-risk for:

• Sixty to 70 percent of Americans are overweight or obese. People who are overweight or obese are far more likely to have heart disease, cancer, diabetes, strokes and heart attacks.
  
• Boys born in 2000 have a one-in-three chance of developing diabetes in their lifetimes. 85 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. Moderate weight loss for those who are overweight and 30 minutes a day of physical activity can reduce chance for diabetes by more than 50 percent. Surgical alternatives have also been successful when medical treatments have failed. For the latest information on surgical options, click here.
• Men have to work harder to reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke. The best actions to take are to control blood pressure and cholesterol if they’re high; stop smoking; increase physical activity to 30 minutes per day, most days of the week; and eat more fruits and vegetables and less saturated or trans fats.
• Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death among all men, and while women are more likely to attempt suicide, men are four times more likely to succeed. A partner often recognizes symptoms of depression (which include acting overly anxious, trouble sleeping, complaining of feeling sad or helpless, engaging in unusually risky or reckless behavior and losing interest in hobbies or other pleasurable activities) sooner than he does.
• Two-thirds of men older than 70 and nearly 40 percent of men in their 40s have erectile dysfunction. Men with ED report less enjoyment in life and are more likely to be depressed. Because of the connection between ED and blood vessels being in poor health, it can be an early warning sign for cardiovascular disease.

Take charge of your life at every age

Men of all ages should exercise, eat a healthy diet (think: high fiber and low fat), not smoke, perform monthly self-exams (paying special attention to breast tissue, moles and testicles for anything out of the ordinary) and schedule regular check-ups with their general physicians.

Men in their 20s should:

• Get a complete physical every three years, including checking your Body Mass Index
• Check your blood pressure every year
• Get screened for cancers of the thyroid, testicles, lymph nodes, mouth and skin every three years
• Have a cholesterol test for total, LDL and HDL every three years
• Have blood tests and a urinalysis, which, in addition to checking cholesterol, screens for diabetes, kidney and thyroid dysfunction, every three years
• Talk to your doctor about the need for a testosterone screening, which can detect erectile dysfunction and depression
• Follow up with a test for diabetes if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Men in their 30s should:

• Follow all of the above, but begin getting complete physicals every two years
• Talk to your health care provider about the need for a baseline Electrocardiogram at the age of 30, with subsequent checks every three to four years

Men in their 40s should:

• Follow all of the above, but begin getting cancer screenings, blood tests and urinalyses every year
• Get a baseline prostate-specific antigen test and digital rectal exam at age 40. This should be continued annually if you are considered high-risk for these types of cancer.
• If you smoke, talk with your health care provider about the need for a chest x-ray, which can detect lung cancer

Men in their 50s and above should:

• Follow all of the above, but begin getting a prostate-specific antigen and digital rectal exam every year, if not already occurring
• Get a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, which detect colon cancers, every three to four years, or as recommended by your health care provider

For more information about how BayChoice Bariatric Center in Houston, Texas, can help you in the fight against obesity, smoking cessation and living healthier, contact Dr. Kenneth Hollis today at 281-482-5300.

Weight, Women and the Latest on Stroke Risk

Did you know that strokes are the leading cause of preventable death for both men and women in the US?

The CDC has recently documented that one-fourth of all heart attacks and stroke-related deaths are preventable. 

Do you know the warning signs? 
According to a recent survey of more than 1,000 women, only 51 percent recognized that sudden weakness or numbness of the face or limbs might signal the onset of a stroke. Even more alarming is less than half were aware that loss of speech was a sign. Even fewer – less than a quarter of the women surveyed – recognized that sudden severe headaches, unexplained dizziness or loss of vision could indicate a person was experiencing a stroke. 

What are high-risk categories for women and factors increasing your chances for a stroke?

Risk Factors

Overweight/Obesity 
It is estimated that 86% of Americans will be overweight or obese by 2030.

Obesity, defined as a body mass or BMI of 30 or greater, is another risk factor of stroke and increases as BMI increases – the larger your waist circumference, the greater your chances of having a stroke.

Weight problems affect both men and women; however, there is a higher chance of stroke in women. Abdominal obesity is more problematic for postmenopausal women. Carrying excess abdominal weight increases your chance of developing insulin resistance, high cholesterol, diabetes and cardiovascular disease more so than fat distribution in other areas of the body. Post-menopausal women with a waist measurement larger than 35.2 inches and a triglyceride level higher than 128 milligrams per liter may have up to a five times greater risk of stroke.

Overweight individuals can lower their risk of stroke by doing the following:

•    Lose weight
•    Follow a Mediterranean-type or Dash diet
•    Eat foods low in saturated fat
•    Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
•    Exercise or be more active
•    Consider surgical weight loss options

Calculate Your BMI 
If your weight is placing you at greater risk for stroke and high blood pressure, and you have unsuccessfully tried losing weight through conventional means, then weight loss surgery may be right for you. Dr. Ken Hollis at BayChoice Bariatric & Digestive Center specializes in bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery) for morbidly obese patients. To find out if your BMI is placing you at greater risk, please take advantage of our BMI calculator.

High Blood Pressure, or Hypertension 
Did you know that approximately 75% of post-menopausal women over the age of 60 have high blood pressure? While women typically have lower blood pressure for most of their lives, it changes as women go through menopause. Since women live longer than men, strokes affect them more.

Even those with mild hypertension can be at risk. Often people don’t have any symptoms with systolic blood pressures of 160-170 and they fail to get checked… going untreated can be a costly and potentially fatal oversight.

Atrial Fibrillation or AFib  
Atrial Fibrillation or AFib can be another risk factor causing the heart’s two small upper chambers (the atria) to quiver versus beating normally. This impacts the heart and body by not allowing the blood to be pumped effectively, causing blood to pool and clot. As a result, these clots can be pumped into the brain resulting in a stroke or ischemic stroke. The incidence of Afib is not known to be greater in women or men; however, it does increase with age with women over age 75 making up about 60%. Symptoms for Afib are not always apparent, with some people never experiencing the classic ones such as shortness of breath or a racing heartbeat. For these individuals, a home monitor is usually prescribed for diagnosis.

Pregnancy   
Pregnant women are at greater risk for stroke than those who are not pregnant. One reason for this is associated with a condition during pregnancy called, Preeclampsia. This is a complication which can cause increased blood pressure and protein in the urine. There are no symptoms associated with this condition and it must be diagnosed by a physician. Even many years later, women who have had preeclampsia during pregnancy have double the stroke risk of women who did not. Therefore the risk does not end after the birth of the child. 

History of Miscarriages 
Having a history of miscarriages is beginning to be linked to an increase in stroke risk, which is possibly related to undiagnosed clotting disorders. A warning sign can be multiple and recurring miscarriages. Being placed on an aspirin regimen or other anticoagulant should be considered. Overall, clotting conditions are seen more often in women than men and may be related to estrogen.

It is important to recognize stroke symptoms and act quickly. Reacting quickly can lessen the chances for permanent damage or death.

 

The National Stroke Association recommends the following guidelines with specific ones relating to women:

Common stroke symptoms seen in both men and women:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Women may report unique stroke symptoms:

• Sudden face and limb pain
• Sudden hiccups
• Sudden nausea
• Sudden general weakness
• Sudden chest pain 
• Sudden shortness of breath
• Sudden palpitations

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you have any of these symptoms
 
Every minute counts for stroke patients and acting F.A.S.T. can lead patients to the stroke treatments they desperately need. The most effective stroke treatments are only available if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within the first three hours of the first symptoms. Many Americans are not aware that stroke patients may not be eligible for stroke treatments if they arrive at the hospital after the three-hour window.
If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do this simple test:
 
F—FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A—ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S—SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?

T—TIME: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.
 
NOTE THE TIME WHEN ANY SYMPTOMS FIRST APPEAR. If given within three hours of the first symptom, there is an FDA-approved clot-buster medication that may reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.
 
Learn as many stroke symptoms as possible so you can recognize stroke as FAST as possible. For more information about how BayChoice Bariatric Center can help you in the fight against obesity, please contact Dr. Kenneth Hollis today at 281-482-5300.

10 Tips to Take Your Life Back

Spring is a time of renewal, which means that it’s a great time to re-evaluate your health. Oftentimes we are so bogged down with work, family, community activities and other obligations that we fail to take time for ourselves. Whether you are preparing for bariatric surgery, want to lose a few pounds or just want to enjoy a healthier version of yourself, use these 10 tips to take your life back and charge into summer feeling refreshed and in control.

 

      1.     If you haven’t lately, see your doctor for a physical and discuss how you can become a healthier version of yourself. If nothing else, check your Body Mass Index to know where you stand in terms of a healthy weight.

       2.     Eat less, more often. Rather than eating three large meals a day, break up your calories into five or six meals. Your digestive system works more efficiently on a lighter load, and your blood sugar levels stay more consistent, which leads to fewer food cravings. Try our Simple Food Swaps for a Healthier You. 

      3.    Make a weekly meal plan and prepare food in bulk. Place the plan on the fridge so all family members can see it and can help with preparations. Take an hour or two on the weekends to prepare food for the week ahead so your prep time on weeknights is minimal and you can more easily stick to your nutrition goals.

4.     Drink more water. Substituting water for high-calorie or high-sugar beverages can help with weight loss and fitness goals. To increase your intake, drink water with, or after, every snack and meal, and keep a bottle of water with you throughout the day. 

5.     Get moving. Walking for short periods of time, several times a day, is a great way to start an exercise regimen. That activity can slowly be increased to 30 to 45 minutes of activity daily. Incorporate strength training to maintain muscle.

6.     Get more sleep. If you are currently getting around six hours of sleep a night, like the average American, just one more hour of sleep a night will help you feel more physically energized, emotionally resilient and mentally clear. 

7.     Get your head in the game. Hypnotherapy has been shown as a valuable component and adjunct to many medical treatments, including weight loss, smoking cessation, and being fit and healthy. BayChoice Bariatric Center’s certified hypnotherapist is experienced in maximizing positive results for our patients through behavioral changes.

8.     Get rid of negativity. If there are people in your life who consistently bring you down, spend less time with them. Cut back on your own negativity, be it about yourself or the world around you. Journaling feelings and participating in support groups can be great sources of strength and positive energy.

9.     Say no. Cut back on the activities in your life that don’t produce tangible results or lead you to success. Keep track of what you spend your time doing for a week. Are you spending an excessive amount of time watching TV, on social media or even volunteering for a board or community organization? Determine your true priorities and stick to them. 

10.  Keep track of your successes. Write down 10 of your strengths on a notecard and keep it with you. If you mess up at work, are dreading a difficult workout or have the urge to grab fast food, take it out to remind yourself of your positive traits and help break bad habits.

If you want to lose weight, stop smoking, live a fit and healthy lifestyle or have other behaviors you want to change, our hypnotherapy programs can help. And if you have unsuccessfully tried diet and exercise to lose weight and are obese or morbidly obese, let us discuss your bariatric surgery options with you. For more information about how BayChoice Bariatric Center can help you take back your life, contact us today at 281-482-5300.