You can eat where every you'd like to. Eat as much as you want. I cannot control that behavior. What I try and do, both with my own patients, and listeners of Your Health First, is to enlighten them to the hazards we all face regarding our health and wellness.
As a country, we eat out far too much. The portions are enormous. The salt (sodium) content is excessive, and the fat and calories of these meals is a leading cause of both adult and childhood obesity. Hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney failure, and cancer are all complications of obesity. The cost to care for all of these people with make us all go broke. Obesity related care is expensive.
The Olive Garden has their nutritional information posted on their website. My family recently had the opportunity to dine there. They were all impressed with the lack of nutritious meals, and the contributions to the obesity problem this kind of a menu has. Reading it will both raise your blood pressure and make you sick. There is nothing healthy on the menu. As consumers, be aware of the salt, fat, and calorie content of the food you eat. Only then can we begin to put the brakes on obesity which is killing us all.
My podcast commentary from Your Health First is posted below.
Podcast: Olive Garden Commentary-Listen Here
March is Colon Cancer Awarenessmonth. One of the methods for screening for colon cancer is a colonoscopy. For most patients, there is anxiety over the need to take the bowel preparation, which is a sometimes bad tasting solution that is consumed the day before the procedure. Technology has improved, and the products we use at Liver Specialists of Texas are much improved, and most patients do not complain too much.
There is a podcast on the Liver Specialists of Texas website that outlines the specific directions for the bowel prep we use. In all cases, consult with your own physician regarding the bowel prep they request. Listen to the podcast posted below.
Schedule your colonoscopy this month.
PODCAST: Download Bowel Prep Instructions
Today in the office, it was another hectic day seeing patients. I was struck by how often I had to discuss obesity with patients and their family. The educational need in this area is overwhelming. Basic facts on calorie, salt, sugar, and fat content of foods is lacking. You can direct patients to web sites all day to seek out information on food, nutrition, and fitness - but in the end my feeling is that they will still fail to really grasp this issue at hand. It is not that these people are not smart-not at all-it is simply the fact they there is a very high level of intensity that is required in getting the real message across. In has to be face to face education.
We have a great staff in our office, Liver Specialists of Texas. I simply don't have the time to allow the staff to spend any more time with the patients. We could spend all day talking about obesity with them.
Enter Michelle Obama. One family brought up her name, and the Let's Move effort she has outlined. They seemed to have the basic facts on the program, and the issues at hand. Michelle Obama did seem to connect with them. The First Lady has limits to her time I would imagine. She would need to be pounding the pavement 12 hours a day for the next three years to even make a minor dent in the problem of obesity. So where do we all stand with this?
We have to reach the youth, their parents, educators, school administrators, and corporate leaders. One clear message needs to be in tune. Obesity is killing us. Obesity is killing our children. Obesity is going to bankrupt the economy. If we can fix this problem of obesity, healthcare reform (aka address obesity), and cost savings, would be a true victory.
Do the following starting tomorrow and everyday thereafter:
Take responsibility for yourself, and your health.
Ok...so more bad news on childhood obesity. Studies this past week point to the fact that obese children have a far greater chance of not living past 55 years of age. Another way to put it...the children of today may not live as long as their parents. What a statement about our society. Last week, Michelle Obama launched her new effort to address this very issue. Hats off to her. This is a huge subject to tackle. It won't be easy, and she will need all the help she can get.
Bottom line message on childhood obesity:
Parents, please wake up and look at your children. Look at what they eat. Look at how they spend their time. Look at how much time they spend on the couch doing nothing. Look at how much computer screen time they have every day. Look at what they eat for lunch. Look at what they have for snacks. Look at yourself in the mirror and see what kind of example you are setting.
A recent editorial from the New England Journal of Medicine (Download Childhood obesity) is a worthwhile read for all those interested.
What's your take on this?
Here on the Gulf Coast, we are in the midst of the hurricane season, and with every impending storm, I have been asked to comment on how you need to prepare for such acts of nature. Protecting the personal safety of you and your family is the topic of great discussion during this time. Here are a few points to remember.
Regarding medications, you should always have a least 5-7 days of extra supply of your required medications. These include needed over the counter medications. Make sure you have a list of both the name and dose of the prescriptions you take, and if possible, a copy of the prescription. Your pharmacy should be able to supply this for you. In case you need to relocate temporarily, having the proper information will allow you to get the necessary refills, and avoid gaps in therapy. Critical medications such as diabetic medications, high blood pressure therapy, and medications to control psychiatric problems are especially critical.
Making sure you have enough safe water should also be a priority in planning. The Centers for Disease Control make the following recommendations:
If the water is clear • Add 1/8 teaspoon of household liquid bleach to 1 gallon of water. Use bleach that does not have an added scent (like lemon). • Wait 30 minutes or more before drinking. If the water is cloudy • Add 1/4 teaspoon of household liquid bleach to 1 gallon of water. Use bleach that does not have an added scent (like lemon). • Wait 30 minutes or more before drinking. Clean the inside of things that hold water (like cans, jars, bottles, glasses). • Use 1 teaspoon of household liquid bleach in 1 cup of water. Use bleach that does not have an added scent (like lemon). • Pour in. • Shake. – Let soak for 30 minutes. – Rinse with clean water. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners. Open windows and doors to get fresh air when you use bleach.
a