Our joints, located wherever the ends of two bones come together, are kept very busy each day. From waving our fingers goodbye, turning our head side to side, swirling our hips, or bending our knees to climb stairs, their job is priceless.
Read MoreBut just little things you can work into your everyday life that sooner or later, will become a habit, sort of like automatically brushing your teeth at night before you go to bed without even thinking about it.
Read MorePromising non-surgical procedure for weight loss
Going under the knife for weight loss is often a last resort for anyone who has struggled for years trying to reach a healthier weight. Bariatric surgery, like all surgery, has risks associated with it and major lifestyle changes in regards to eating.
However, there may be a new answer for better managing weight loss without the side effects or risks of surgery. A new non-surgical procedure, called endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) requires no incision so no scar, is simple and requires no hospital stay. Preliminary research is showing it could have the potential of helping moderately obese people lose weight and more importantly, keep it off. Complications rates are also lower compared with surgery. The research showed that only 1% of ESG patients had a complication, such as a perforation or “leak” in the stomach.
This new procedure involves the doctor threading a scope down the throat and into the stomach, then using a suturing device attached to the scope to cinch the stomach in ultimately shrinking it to a banana-sized pouch. By making the stomach smaller, a person will eat less and feel full, thus resulting in weight loss.
This procedure was first performed in 2013 at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. People with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40 (more than 100 pounds overweight) or those with a BMI of 35 or more, and who had a obesity-related condition such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure, qualify.
Since that time, studies have shown that in the short term, people who have undergone ESW will lose on average about 15% of their body weight. This new study is the first to report five-year results. The good news is that patients who had had the procedure, were still maintaining a 15% weight reduction, five years later.
The downsides of ESG are that like all gastric bypass procedures for weight loss, there is the potential for people to gain back the weight. In addition, most insurers won’t pay for ESG. The cost of the procedure is about $12,000 so a patient would have to foot the bill. At this time, ESG is not widely available as only about two dozen medical centers in the U.S. perform the procedure.
If it’s a rainy spring, this leads to rapid growth of plants which means more mold.
Read MoreThese swollen, twisted veins seen just below the skin surface can cause mild to moderate pain, blood clots, skin ulcers (sores), a heavy or aching feeling, a burning sensation or itching above the affected veins.
Read MoreYour physician may want to do a test for sleep apnea. However, excessive tiredness could also be a symptom of depression or an underlying disease condition.
Read MoreIf you can honestly answer “yes” to any of the above, you are at risk of a serious contact lenses-related eye infection.
Read MoreEven small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems. And though children are more susceptible to high levels of lead, adults also can be at risk due to various factors.
Read MoreMake this year different. Starting today, anyone who suffers from allergies, especially when they begin in the spring, can take steps to beat back the miserable symptoms they cause.
Read MoreSince we have to deal with stress daily, we might as well learn how to become a pro at it.
Read MoreOur body is made up of about two-thirds water and no matter what time of year it is, we still need a sufficient supply of it to prevent dehydration.
Read MoreLet’s take a look at various parts of our body, and what we can do to promote good health at any age.
Read MoreDepression is a common and serious medical illness affecting how you feel, the way your think and how you act.
Read MoreAround 285 million people are estimated to be visually impaired worldwide. Of those with visual impairment, 80% can be prevented or cured.
Read MoreThe warm summer months are behind us and now that temperatures are taking a dip don’t let your water intake do the same.
Read MoreIf you can honestly answer “yes” to any of the above, you are at risk of a serious contact lenses-related eye infection.
Read MoreHave you ever had what you thought was the “stomach flu” when in reality it was more likely a foodborne illness?
Read MoreThis burning sensation caused by a back flow of stomach acid into the unprotected esophagus is known as heartburn and for some it is a weekly if not daily occurrence.
Read MoreHow many of us have just been introduced to someone for the first time but can’t recall their name 10 minutes later?
Read MoreThey say there are two certainties in life: death and taxes. Loss of muscle mass is another certainty to add to this list.
Read MoreDr. David B. Samadi's blog is the top online destination for everyday health tips, world health news, health technology, health investing, business of medicine, alternative medicine, health politics, and health pop culture. SamadiMD.com is also your go-to curated online source for the best health care and prevention tips, better sex life, healthy food, and men's health. Read the latest prevention news for all types of cancer such as prostate cancer, cervical cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, breast cancer, testicular cancer, colon cancer and more. SamadiMD.com provides latest information on surgery techniques, how to pick the right surgeon, what to know before and after surgery and latest surgery industry news and information.
