Obesity- Severe Risk With COVID-19

The World Health Organization has declared the COVID-19 outbreak to be an international public health emergency.  People with obesity-related conditions are at risk and can develop more severe symptoms with COVID-19.

In general, there are many health risks associated with morbid obesity.  Overweight is defined as a BMI of 25 or higher and obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or higher.  Most people with obesity have other underlying conditions such as: Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, Sleep Apnea, Heart Disease, Liver and Gallbladder disease, Respiratory problems and difficulty breathing with small amounts of exertion and walking.  These conditions also make it harder for a person’s body to fight infection.

If you are overweight, losing weight may prevent or delay the onset of these conditions.  Losing weight and staying active will help control your blood sugar levels and keep your body strong.  Staying active is important while social distancing.  There are many online exercise programs and walking in your neighborhood is a great way to stay active.  Did you know that just taking a walk for 20 minutes a day can decrease your chances of developing underlying conditions with obesity?

More than 100 million Americans are at a higher risk of serious illness if they get COVID-19.  At Trinity Bariatric Institute, we want to keep you safe, educated and above all, healthy.  If you are looking to lose weight, call us today.  We are still open and caring for patients that are ready to lose weight for good and make a life change.

 

 

Source Information:

www.worldobesity.org

www.webmd.com

www.cdc.gov

A Message To Our Patients – COVID-19

A Message for our Trinity Bariatric Insitute Family and Friends-

We are still OPEN and caring for patients.  Please call us anytime if you have questions or concerns about an upcoming appointment or surgery. At this time, elective surgery is still being scheduled and performed at our local hospitals.

We will continue to go above and beyond the standards put in place by the CDC for your safety.

We are increasing the frequency of our normal sterilization’s procedures of each room before and after every patient.  We are taking steps to ensure that the waiting room, bathroom and door handles are sterilized multiple times a day.

We are working hard to prevent the spread of sickness by pre-screening every patient before they come in.  Any patients with upper respiratory illness are being rescheduled to a later date.

Our staff is screened daily to make sure they do not have symptoms or have recently traveled.

We are practicing social distancing by limiting the seating in our waiting room to 2-4 people at all times 6 feet or more away from each other.  You may be asked to sit in your car to wait for your appointment if we have too many patients in the waiting room.

As an elective surgical practice, there is little exposure risk associated with your visit.

We look forward to seeing you, please call us with any questions you may have.  We will continue to care for our community and offer life changing weight loss surgeries, as well as post-operative care.

Sincerely,

David Dyslin, MD, FACS, FASMBS

Trinity Bariatric Insitute

 

How to Spot a Hernia

A hernia is a bulge or lump that results from a weak spot in a muscle or tissue. An organ pushes through the weakened area, causing discomfort and potential complications. Hernias occur in your abdomen, groin, belly button, or chest — they may even appear in your thigh.

Usually a hernia doesn’t hurt, but you will notice a lump. This is a good indication you have a hernia.

Hernias don’t discriminate. They can show up in women, men, babies, and children.

People who are overweight, regularly lift weights, strain when using the restroom, or have a persistent, nagging cough are at particular risk. At Trinity Bariatric Institute, we can help you manage a hernia, and Dr. Dyslin offers surgery when necessary.

Look for these symptoms of a hernia to prevent serious complications.

Bulge that grows over time

Think of a hernia like a bulge in a tire. It pushes through the supporting muscular structure to create a noticeable lump. It may look small and barely noticeable at first. Often, you can push it back into place when it’s small. But with time, the bulge grows. It becomes more noticeable when you stand up.

The size of your hernia may also increase when you do something strenuous. The lump may be most obvious when you laugh, cough, or strain while lifting a heavy object, such as weights at the gym or moving furniture.

Pain around the bulge

You may feel pain in the area before detecting the lump. Or, the lump will ache, but not be tender to the touch. Over time, you may notice that the bulge prevents you from doing certain activities. It can cause burning pain.

Inguinal hernia symptoms

An inguinal hernia occurs in the abdomen, but very near the groin. You may notice a bulge on either side of your pubic bone. Your groin may feel heavy and weak. Men may experience pain and swelling around the testicles when the intestine descends into the scrotum.

Hiatal hernia symptoms

A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach pushes through a weakness in your diaphragm into your chest. Instead of a bulge, you get heartburn, chest pain, and symptoms like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which include a sour taste in your mouth and difficulty swallowing.

Complications of a hernia

Untreated hernias may continue to grow and result in greater pain. You may also experience swelling and pain in surrounding areas as the hernia puts too much pressure on nearby tissue. A hernia can even pinch a nearby nerve.

Symptoms of a serious complication

It’s possible for a hernia to become strangulated, when a muscle closes the hole as your intestine pushes through. That makes the lump feel tender, and it may darken, too. A strangulated hernia, often a life-threatening medical issue, can cause severe symptoms including:

Serious belly pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Fever

If you suspect you have a hernia, don’t ignore it. At Trinity Bariatric Institute, we can help. We diagnose a hernia during a physical exam or with imaging tests, as in the case of a hiatal hernia. Dr. Dyslin will then offer the best treatment plan for your condition. Call the office or schedule a consultation online to have your suspected hernia evaluated today.