There is no better day than today to make good lifestyle decisions. Our choices will help determine how long and how well we can live. As a result, healthcare providers are beginning to emphasize the role of medicine in active living. This strategy is called “lifestyle medicine” and has focused on numerous medical conferences throughout North America. Lifestyle medicine is already a common practice for many physicians. In recent years, doctors have begun to prescribe exercise prescriptions, nutritional counseling, and cooking classes to their patients to help them lead healthier lives. This article covers some of the conditions a doctor offering lifestyle preventative medicine in Katy, TX, can help you deal with. Read on to learn more.
Obesity
Obesity is a condition that impacts countless Americans. The prevalence of obesity in the US doubled between 1980 and 2000. It has increased by more than 50 percent among adults and children since then. About one-third of American adults and approximately 17 percent of youth are obese.
Through lifestyle medicine, physicians can coordinate an individualized treatment plan for patients who are obese. By adopting various healthy lifestyle behaviors, many people can reduce obesity and its associated health risks. Such strategies include making dietary changes, increasing physical activity levels, and practicing stress management techniques.
Hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects around 50 million people in the United States. It can cause heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. Physicians can identify diet and activity levels contributing to hypertension with lifestyle medicine. By following their physician’s recommendations, many patients can reduce their blood pressure levels and reduce their risk of hypertensive-related health complications.
Diabetes
While it is possible to manage insulin with diet and exercise, doctors often prescribe medications to supplement these strategies. There are three different types of Diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, while Type 2 and gestational diabetes result from insulin resistance. Lifestyle medicine doctors can also help people prevent Type 2 Diabetes by reducing their risk factors.
High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is caused when the cholesterol levels in your blood are too high. The American Heart Association says you can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by controlling your LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein). A lifestyle medicine doctor can work with patients with high cholesterol to make personalized recommendations for changing their diet and activity levels. In some cases, they may prescribe medication to further improve patients’ lipid profiles.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is characterized by chronic abdominal pain and bouts of diarrhea. While the cause is unknown, doctors believe that diet can play a role in IBS. Lifestyle medicine doctors encourage patients with irritable bowel syndrome to avoid certain foods, including caffeine and alcohol, as well as artificial sweeteners. In addition, they work with patients to help them establish regular eating patterns.
In summary, lifestyle medicine is a treatment approach that can help patients reduce their risk of developing preventable chronic illnesses such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. To combat such health conditions, lifestyle medicine doctors offer tailored recommendations for diet and activity levels. They may prescribe medication in some cases to supplement these methods.
