- Cancer Care, Weight LossGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWeight loss surgery has many health benefits for the obese, including lowering your risk of diabetes and heart disease. But many don’t realize lowering cancer risk is another reason to consider the procedure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity is linked to 40 percent of all cancers diagnosed in the U.S., including: Breast (in women past menopause) Colorectal Endometrial (lining of the uterus) Esophageal Gallbladder Kidney Liver Meningioma Multiple myeloma Ovarian Pancreatic Stomach Thyroid Uterine An important distinction the National Cancer Institute (NCI) makes is that obese people who have weight loss surgery appear to have lower risks of obesity-related cancers than obese people who don’t have the operation. NCI bases this off of a 2013 study on weight loss surgery, but more research continues to emerge. The Annals of Surgery published a study on bariatric surgery and cancer risk. Researchers followed 89,000 severely obese patients, including about 22,000 who had weight loss surgery, for an average follow-up of three and a half years. The patients who had weight loss surgery were 33 percent less likely to develop any cancer during the study, which ran from 2005 through 2014. When they looked specifically at obesity-related cancers, the numbers increased. Patients who had weight loss surgery were 41 percent less likely to develop obesity-related cancers, and 40 percent less likely to be diagnosed with tumors linked to obesity. There are a few types of weight loss surgery. The majority of the patients in this study had gastric bypass surgery in which a small stomach pouch is created and the small intestines are rerouted. Twenty-seven percent of people in the study had sleeve gastrectomy in which a portion of your stomach is removed. In this particular study, more than 80 percent of the participants were women. It’s important to note that researchers found a link between bariatric surgery and cancer risk in women, not men. Since many cancers take years to develop, the researchers noted it’s possible their research underestimates the impact of weight loss surgery on cancer risk. Research will continue, and we’ll get a better understanding of the link between obesity, weight loss and cancer risk. Until then, the reality is that there are nearly 15 million adults in the U.S. who are severely obese. Cancer prevention is just one of the many reasons to consider bariatric surgery. To learn more about weight loss surgery, attend a free seminar at AAMC. To learn more or register, visit luminishealth.org/weight-loss-surgery. Author Alex Gandsas, MD, is a bariatric surgeon at the LHAAMC Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery Program. To reach his practice, call 443-481-6699. Originally published Jan. 22, 2018. Last updated July 5, 2023.
- Behavioral Health, Senior Care, Wellness, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSeniors tend to face special risks from alcohol, even if they aren’t heavy drinkers. Even moderate drinking can be a problem in this age group. Health risks of alcohol in the aging Alcohol poses special risks for seniors for a variety of reasons. For example, alcohol can: Interact with medications. The older we get, the more likely we are to take medications, according to the American Society on Aging. And medicines—whether prescribed by a doctor or bought over the counter—often don’t mix well with alcohol. Alcohol can counteract or decrease the effects of some medications, such as those taken for high blood pressure,reflux disease or gout. Alcohol also can magnify a medication’s action. The combined sedative effects of alcohol with tranquilizers, sleeping pills or pain relievers can be particularly dangerous. Increase the risk of accidents. Alcohol impairs coordination and increases the likelihood of falls and other accidents. For older people, that raises an already increased risk for hip fractures and disability. Hide other health troubles. Alcohol can mask symptoms of other medical problems, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). For example, the changes it causes in heart and blood vessels may dull the pain of angina—an important warning sign of heart attack. Cause problems in small amounts. The body’s ability to absorb and deal with alcohol changes as we age. Our tolerance level goes down, meaning it takes little alcohol to have a big effect. A diagnosis overlooked It’s not always easy to know when an older person is abusing alcohol, according to the NIAAA. They’re often retired, which eliminates occupational red flags like missing work or losing jobs. Older people also are more likely to drink alone at home, according to the American Geriatrics Society. That makes them less likely than younger drinkers to be arrested for fighting or drunk driving. In addition, some of the side effects of alcohol abuse may be dismissed as signs of “getting old.” Mental confusion caused by heavy drinking can be mistaken for symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, for example. Depression, insomnia and poor eating habits are associated with aging—and alcohol abuse. So how can you tell if someone you love is abusing alcohol? If someone minimizes how much they drink, that’s a red flag. Or if someone takes offense when asked about their drinking, that’s a red flag. Other signs may include someone who: Drinks alone or hides his or her drinking from others. Feels irritable or resentful when he or she is not drinking. Uses alcohol to cope with problems like depression or sleeplessness. To get an idea of whether or not you might have a drinking problem, take this short quiz. If you think alcohol might be a problem for you or someone you love, seek the advice of a health care professional. He or she may suggest counseling or a treatment program. The good news is that older people tend to stick with treatment programs better than younger people. In fact, research has found that simply pointing out the ill effects of alcohol can significantly reduce an older person’s drinking. For more information about alcohol visit AAMC’s Pathways drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, askAAMC.org/Pathways. Originally published Dec. 23, 2014. Last updated Jan. 21, 2019.
- Orthopedics, Weight Loss, Women's Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFrom Zumba® to barre to breakdancing, the fitness industry has seen a growing trend in dance fitness. Whatever dance fitness trend you choose, you can lose or maintain weight, become more active and have tons of fun with this type of exercise. But dance fitness can also cause injury if you aren’t careful. Problems like shin splints, knee pain, back strains and ankle sprains can take the spring out of your step. The good news: You can take steps to prevent injuries with these tips, says Apryl Riggins, physical therapist at AAMG Physical Therapy. GO EASY. “Always start slow. Try one class, or even half of a class, and see how your body responds,” Apryl says. “Injuries don’t typically occur from a single movement or class. Injuries more often occur as a result of repetitive movements over several days or weeks, and especially when you’re tired.” If you experience pain or fatigue, take a day or two off, make sure you’re pain-free, then resume your dance class to make sure you’re comfortable. WARM UP WISELY. Warm-ups should include a cardio component. Start with gentle arm and leg movements for five to 10 minutes, gradually picking up your pace. Once your muscles are warm, try some dynamic stretches, such as high knees, butt kicks or leg swings. COOL DOWN CORRECTLY. Slow your dance movements for five to 10 minutes. Then stretch your body, including your arms and legs, holding each stretch for 30 seconds to one minute. MIX THINGS UP. Try cross-training, or doing more than one form of exercise. Doing other types of exercise in addition to dance works different muscle groups. Cross-training can help you avoid overuse injuries. “Pilates and yoga are excellent additions to dance training,” says Apryl. “They focus on core strengthening and stabilization of your abdominal, pelvic and back muscles, which helps prevent injury.” TREAT YOURSELF RIGHT. “General muscle soreness is normal after a workout, but sharp pain is not,” Apryl says. “If you experience intense pain, talk to your doctor.” Conditioning and physical therapy can help relieve pain and prevent injuries from returning. For more information, call 443-481-1140 or visit AAMGPhysicalTherapy.com. Author Apryl Riggins is a physical therapist at AAMG Physical Therapy. Originally published Feb. 15, 2017. Last updated Jan. 7, 2019.
- Weight Loss, Women's Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogChances are if you’ve set a New Year’s resolution it has something to do with losing weight. Up your chance for success with these three secrets to attaining a healthy weight: Set a realistic goal and plan. When setting your healthy weight goal, it’s essential you don’t bite off more than you can chew. Yes, it’s critical to set a goal, but it’s equally important to make that goal a realistic fit for you and your lifestyle. Remember, your primary care provider is a wonderful resource for helping map out a tailored plan for eating the right foods and getting enough exercise. Also, if you’re struggling to meet your goal, your provider may discover an underlying medical issue holding you back. Your provider is your personal health partner, but only if you start the conversation. Find a workout buddy. Studies consistently show the power of having a workout buddy. One study published by the Society of Behavioral Medicine in 2012 showed that people who rode an exercise bike with a buddy rode a whopping 87 percent longer than when they rode solo. A friend can provide support, accountability and the motivation you need to meet your goal, plus they provide healthy competition. Depending on your schedule and lifestyle, a good workout buddy may be a co-worker, friend, spouse or family member. The important thing to remember is it’s best to have someone who has similar goals and fitness level. Struggling to find someone? Join a fitness class and search out someone of a similar fitness level. Or, enlist your dog as your buddy. Enjoy a walk or run while giving your dog some much-needed exercise. Track your progress. Have you ever had a car that showed your average miles per gallon at the touch of a button or a thermostat that showed how much your heat was on throughout the day? It comes as no surprise that people who use this sort of technology end up getting better gas mileage or lower energy bills. Similarly, technology can help you stay on track with your healthy weight goal, too. Whether you use an app to track the foods you eat or a fitness bracelet that tracks your steps and heart rate, there are lots of options out there to help you track improvement. And when you see your progress, it helps you see what’s possible. Ultimately, these three tips are all about building an effective support and accountability system to help you make healthy lifestyle changes. With this system in place, you’re much more likely to beat the odds and stick to your weight loss resolution. We offer a variety of group exercise classes at AAMC including yoga, Zumba, pilates and strength training classes. Check out the schedule and try something new this year. AAMC also offers free weight loss surgery seminars in both Easton and Annapolis. To learn more about what you can gain with weight loss surgery, visit aamcbariatrics.com. Originally published Dec. 31, 2015. Last updated Dec. 17, 2018.
- Weight LossGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you live with type 2 diabetes, especially if you are obese, updated guidelines came out in 2016 calling for weight loss surgery to become a more routine treatment option for your diabetes. This is the first time bariatric surgery is recommended specifically as a diabetes treatment. Before, people considered bariatric surgery as an obesity treatment that only had the extra benefit of helping control diabetes. The recommendations were endorsed by the American Diabetes Association and more than 40 other health groups. And, it makes sense. Type 2 diabetes and obesity can be a deadly combination, and many studies have shown weight loss surgery can drastically improve diabetes. These studies show that most obese diabetics who undergo weight loss surgery see their blood sugar levels dramatically improve. This is something I’ve seen with my patients, too. Some even no longer require medication to maintain normal blood sugar levels. People can control diabetes with diet, exercise, medication or insulin. But those who struggle to control the disease could face heart disease, kidney disease or stroke. Some may risk limb amputation or sight loss. The updated guidelines conclude the surgery should be a regularly considered option for certain patients with diabetes. It’s about better blood sugar control instead of pounds lost. Instead of bariatric surgery, the procedure is called metabolic surgery when performed for diabetes. If you have a body mass index, or BMI, of 40 or greater, weight loss surgery is recommended regardless of your blood sugar level. If you have a BMI of at least 35 and have tried lifestyle changes and medication to control your diabetes with no success, the surgery is also recommended. Weight loss surgery may also offer other benefits for diabetics. The surgery affects hormones, gut bacteria and other substances that may change how the body handles insulin and blood sugar. Medicare often pays for certain types of weight loss surgery for people who are obese with an illness, like diabetes. Although rules vary, some insurance companies cover the surgery, too. Perhaps with these updated guidelines, insurance companies will expand coverage. The surgery is not a cure for diabetes, since some people relapse. However, many people do remain in remission for years. It’s important for those struggling with obesity and diabetes to know weight loss surgery is an important treatment option. To learn more about weight loss surgery, attend a free seminar at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To learn more or register, visit askAAMC.org/WeightLoss. Author By Alex Gandsas, MD, a bariatric surgeon and director of AAMC’s Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery Program. To reach his practice, call 443-924-2900. Originally published Jan. 30, 2017. Last updated Nov. 28, 2018.
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