How Acid Reflux Can Negatively Impact Your Life

Acid reflux is a common condition that many people suffer from. In mild cases, antacids after a heavy meal will help. For some people, however, acid reflux is persistent and severe, and typical over-the-counter medications don’t provide much in the way of relief. Here’s how acid reflux can negatively impact your life and what you can do to reduce the symptoms of acid reflux. 

Mealtimes 

Persistent acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can make mealtimes unbearable. It may be difficult to eat anything without experiencing burning chest pain, nausea, and difficulty swallowing. Going to restaurants can be dicey because acid reflux triggers are in nearly everything. Most people with severe acid reflux need to cook at home and use limited seasonings. Rich foods, spicy foods, citrus, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and other common triggers should be avoided, which can make mealtimes challenging. 

Sleep 

Sleeping flat with acid reflux can be nearly impossible. Acid and stomach contents can creep up the esophagus, causing burning pain. People with severe GERD may sleep very poorly and wake up often during the night. Sleeping on your left side can help, and a wedge pillow can be used to elevate the upper body so acid is kept in check by the force of gravity. If you have an adjustable bed, you can elevate the head of the bed and sleep more comfortably. It’s not uncommon for individuals with acid reflux to sleep in their recliners to prevent acid rushing into their throats at night. 

Work 

It can be hard to focus on work when you’re in pain, but certain work activities can worsen acid reflux symptoms. Bending and lifting, in particular, can cause acid to flow up into the esophagus. You may be able to get a note from your physician that allows you to refrain from bending and lifting, or you may be able to modify how you do things in order to avoid symptom flare-ups. For example, you can bend at the knees while keeping your back straight to pick up something off the floor to avoid doubling over and putting pressure on your stomach. You may even be able to use a device that helps you pick up items without having to bend at all. Although modifications can sometimes be made to bring relief at work, having to deal with acid reflux on the job can be difficult and disheartening. 

Severe pain 

In some cases, the chest pain associated with reflux can mimic the pain of a heart attack. It’s not uncommon for individuals with acid reflux to go to the emergency room during a bad flare-up, thinking that something could be seriously wrong or that it’s their heart that is generating the pain. Because the nerve that runs along the esophagus and to the stomach is the same nerve that is responsible for the autonomic nervous system, the symptoms can be confusing. Some people with reflux will get classic “heart attack” pain in their left arm or may experience heart palpitations. Typically, emergency rooms can provide temporary relief with a “GI cocktail,” which is like an antacid with numbing medicine. They can assure you that it’s not your heart, however, you will be urged to follow up with a specialist for testing to determine how severe your reflux is. 

Increased risk of cancer 

Prolonged acid reflux can cause a condition known as Barrett’s esophagus, where the cells inside the esophagus mutate in an attempt to better survive in a highly acidic environment. Barrett’s esophagus on its own is not a critical condition, but it must be monitored regularly. There is a small increase in the risk of esophageal cancer when Barrett’s esophagus is present, although the risk is much lower than previously thought. 

Acid reflux ruining your life? Get help today

GERD can affect every aspect of your life. It can be hard to feel “well” when you have persistent reflux. Get help today at the Atlanta Body Institute. Dr. Christopher Ibikunle specializes in acid reflux treatment and can perform diagnostic testing and recommend medication and surgical options that can bring you relief. Book your appointment online today or call us at (678) 271-0571 (Atlanta location), (678) 271-3642 (Loganville location), or (678) 271-3282 (Monroe location). We look forward to helping you find ways to feel better! 

3 Surprising Symptoms of Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are a common problem among both women and men, and they become a lot more common as we get older. Of course, the most recognizable sign or symptom of varicose veins is their purplish, twisted appearance. But that’s not the only symptom they can cause. Here are three symptoms associated with varicose veins that you may not be aware of.

Itchy skin

Itchy skin is one of the most overlooked symptoms of varicose veins, probably because it’s so easy to write off as another problem like dry skin or allergies. So why do varicose veins cause itching? It has to do with a condition called venous stasis, which essentially means “vein inactivity.” Venous stasis occurs when the blood inside a leg vein slows down significantly. With varicose veins, the tiny valves inside your veins stop working the way they’re supposed to. Normally, those tiny valves open and close repeatedly, keeping your blood flowing back toward your heart. But in varicose veins, the valves malfunction and blood flow slows down. As blood builds up behind those valves, tiny leaks can develop that allow fluid to seep into the skin, causing irritation and itching. Without treatment, your skin may become scaly and red, a condition called stasis dermatitis. As itchy as your skin may become, it’s important not to scratch. Scratching your skin when it’s already irritated by your varicose veins is a good way to cause cuts and sores, and if your circulation isn’t the greatest in that area, it can take a long time for those sores to heal.

Nighttime leg pain

Leg pain and cramps can occur any time of the day with varicose veins, but they’re often more noticeable at night when you’re lying still and trying to sleep. A leg cramp occurs when the muscle in your leg squeezes — really hard. Remember those tiny valves that stop working the way they’re supposed to? When the circulation in your legs slows down as a result of your varicose veins, your leg muscles don’t get the steady supply of oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood they need. Plus, the slower flow of blood lets toxins build up in your tissues. Both these issues combined are what causes the muscles in your legs (usually in your calves) to tighten up and cramp. The reason cramps are more noticeable at night could be because during the day, your legs are moving more, and that helps circulation. When you’re lying still, circulation naturally slows down, and the additional circulation problems caused by varicose veins can increase the likelihood you’ll experience cramps. Nighttime leg cramps are often worse after you’ve spent a long day on your feet.

Swollen legs

Lots of issues can cause swelling in your legs, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), blood clots located in the deeper veins of your legs. With varicose veins, leg swelling typically occurs when blood pools behind your damaged vein valves, increasing the pressure inside your veins. That added pressure can lead to tiny leaks, especially through the smallest blood vessels called capillaries. That leaked fluid tends to accumulate, resulting in swelling. Less commonly, a superficial clot can form in one of your diseased veins, also contributing to swelling. This type of swelling may also be accompanied by a brownish discoloration in your skin, or the affected area may feel warm to the touch.

Don’t ignore your varicose veins

Varicose veins are never “normal.” They’re always a sign that something’s not quite right with your circulatory system. Even if your varicose veins aren’t causing you any annoying symptoms, they still need to be evaluated. At Atlanta Body Institute, our vein specialists are experienced in diagnosing the causes of varicose veins so your treatment can be customized for your unique needs. To learn more about the varicose vein treatments we offer or to have your veins evaluated, book an appointment online today.

What to Expect During a LEEP Procedure

Thanks to early testing and procedures like LEEP, women are far better armed in the fight against cervical cancer. Here’s what you can expect during this quick, in-office procedure.

How Labiaplasty Can Change Your Life

There are a few aspects of your appearance that can’t be altered if you’re self-conscious about them. A procedure that’s seeing double-digit growth in popularity is labiaplasty, a procedure that reduces the size and asymmetry of the labia.

How to Prepare for Your Cystoscopy

If you experience frequent, painful urination or have had an abnormal amount of urinary tract infections, learn how to prepare for a cystoscopy procedure to diagnose the problem.

Can Tubal Ligation Be Reversed?

Tubal ligation, or having your tubes tied, is a permanent form of birth control. However, with recent medical advances, if you change your mind, the procedure can be reversed.

Living With Uterine Fibroids

Are you living with discomfort from uterine fibroids, like pain and heavy bleeding? Have you been told that a hysterectomy is the only way you’ll find relief? We can help you manage your symptoms and preserve your uterus at the same time.

3 Things You Should Know About Tubal Ligation

Are you thinking of “having your tubes tied” to prevent pregnancy? Or did you have tubal ligation, but now you’ve changed your mind about having children? Here’s what you need to know about this birth control procedure.

How You Can Achieve Your Long-term Weight-Loss Goals With the Gastric Sleeve

Being obese is about a lot more than carrying some extra pounds. Obesity carries some very serious and even life-threatening health risks, including significantly increased risks of heart attack, stroke, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Plus, being very overweight can take an emotional and mental health toll as well. Studies show people who are obese are far more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, and they’re also more likely to avoid social situations, becoming isolated and lonely.

If you’re obese, you’ve probably had more than one well-meaning friend or relative tell you how “easy” it is to lose weight with “simple” dieting and exercise. But if you’ve struggled with losing weight in the past, you know there’s nothing “simple” or “easy” about it. In fact, trying to lose weight and failing can be extremely discouraging, and that can wind up compounding feelings of depression and hopelessness.

For many people who struggle with obesity, bariatric surgery can offer a way to lose weight and keep it off, which means they not only feel better about themselves and how they look, but they can also decrease their health risks and enjoy more active, involved and fulfilling lives. Of all the bariatric procedures performed in the U.S., gastric sleeve surgery is by far the most popular, accounting for well over half of all bariatric surgeries performed.

What is gastric sleeve surgery?

Gastric sleeve surgery is a type of restrictive bariatric surgery, which means it physically reduces or restricts the amount of food and calories you can consume by making your stomach smaller. Because your stomach is dramatically reduced in size, it takes far less food to make you feel full. That means you’ll eat a lot fewer calories, so you can lose weight and keep it off. Like other types of bariatric surgery, gastric sleeve surgery is generally reserved for people who have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more or for people who have a BMI of 30 or more along with another obesity-related health issue, like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or sleep apnea.

At Atlanta Body Institute, Dr. Ibikunle offers two approaches to gastric sleeve surgery and both are minimally invasive, which means there are no large incisions. Instead, both techniques use a very tiny camera to capture real-time video that’s sent back to a monitor. Dr. Ibikunle performs the surgery using the video to guide the instruments.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) uses very small incisions and special instruments to remove about 85 percent of your stomach, leaving a sleeve-shaped section behind. In addition to making your stomach smaller, so you feel full faster, the part of the stomach that’s removed during an LSG procedure is also the part that secretes the hormones that make you feel hungry. That means you won’t have the constant cravings for food, and you’ll want to eat less overall. The LSG procedure takes about two hours to perform, and once it’s complete, you’ll stay in the hospital for a couple of days before going home.

Endoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (ESG)

Endoscopic sleeve gastrectomy uses no incisions. Instead, the tiny camera and other instruments are inserted through your mouth. During the ESG procedure, Dr. Ibikunle places several sutures in your stomach to partition it into two parts. The smaller sleeve-shaped portion becomes your “new” stomach. Since the procedure does not remove any stomach tissue, it’s reversible once you achieve your weight-loss goals. ESG is typically an outpatient procedure, which means you can go home the same day you have your surgery. The procedure takes about 90 minutes, and afterward, you’ll be in a recovery area for a little while before you’re discharged. Like LSG, ESG recovery takes about two weeks, after which you can return to work.

Whichever procedure you have, you can expect to return to work in about two weeks. Full recovery takes from four to six weeks, during which time you’ll need to avoid strenuous activities.

Find out more about gastric sleeve surgery

Make 2019 the year you do something healthy for yourself. Get rid of that excess weight once and for all and start leading a healthier, happier life. To learn more about gastric sleeve surgery and whether it’s a good choice for your goals, book an appointment online today.

 

What to Expect During a LEEP Procedure

Thanks to early testing and procedures like LEEP, women are far better armed in the fight against cervical cancer. Here’s what you can expect during this quick, in-office procedure.

How Labiaplasty Can Change Your Life

There are a few aspects of your appearance that can’t be altered if you’re self-conscious about them. A procedure that’s seeing double-digit growth in popularity is labiaplasty, a procedure that reduces the size and asymmetry of the labia.

How to Prepare for Your Cystoscopy

If you experience frequent, painful urination or have had an abnormal amount of urinary tract infections, learn how to prepare for a cystoscopy procedure to diagnose the problem.

Can Tubal Ligation Be Reversed?

Tubal ligation, or having your tubes tied, is a permanent form of birth control. However, with recent medical advances, if you change your mind, the procedure can be reversed.

Living With Uterine Fibroids

Are you living with discomfort from uterine fibroids, like pain and heavy bleeding? Have you been told that a hysterectomy is the only way you’ll find relief? We can help you manage your symptoms and preserve your uterus at the same time.

3 Things You Should Know About Tubal Ligation

Are you thinking of “having your tubes tied” to prevent pregnancy? Or did you have tubal ligation, but now you’ve changed your mind about having children? Here’s what you need to know about this birth control procedure.

Suffering From Heavy Menstrual Bleeding? Endometrial Ablation May Be the Solution

HIT workouts are performed in intervals of short, high-speed bursts followed by slower recovery sessions—switching between short sprints and light jogging, for instance.

Some other examples of HIT workouts include:

• Burpees
• Squat jumps
• Pushups
• Speed walking
• Lunges

Most intermittent exercises only require your body weight, although some can be done with small equipment like medicine balls and light weights. HIT can also save you time, as it is much shorter than most workouts.

High intensity workouts burn more fat

An average person burns 298-355 calories during a moderate 30-minute jog. Intermittent exercises, however, can burn the same, if not more, calories in less time.

HIT uses up most of your glucose and oxygen stores as energy. As your muscles refuel, they use stored glucose and fat from other parts of the body as energy.

Less demanding workouts only need minimal glucose, and typically your body uses stored carbohydrates as energy instead of fat. Studies suggest that intermittent exercise alters the sequence of metabolic function, shifting the focus from carbs to fat for energy.  

Another study discovered that people who performed HIT workouts lost 28.5 percent more weight than people who performed continuous exercises.

HIT continues burning fat after exercise

High intensity exercises burn fat hours after your workout ends. Since your body burns through all of its energy reserves during the workout, it continues burning fat to refuel the muscles. The demand for energy speeds up your metabolism, which results in more calories burned.

HIT also accelerates the production of various hormones, like testosterone and human growth hormones (HGH). With an increase in HGH and testosterone, your body can improve muscle mass, repair muscle tissue, and tone your muscles at a faster rate.

HIT improves your aerobic capacity

Intense activity rapidly raises your heart rate, which increases oxygen intake, improves blood circulation, and impacts your athletic performance.

As your muscles learn to better utilize oxygen, they won’t tire out as quickly during exercise. You’ll notice an increase in aerobic capacity and endurance, allowing you to work out longer and at higher speeds.

Is HIIE right for you?

HIT isn’t for everyone. The drastic change of pace can result in injury if you’re not conditioned for it. Before starting any HIT plans, consult your doctor to make sure it’s right for you.

If you’re new to HIT, it’s best to start out slow and work your way up. Experts recommend a 10-12-week conditioning plan of moderate-to-low intensity workouts to improve strength, flexibility, and endurance.

HIT is demanding, so it shouldn’t be done regularly. It’s better to perform them only a few times a week to avoid injury and allow your muscles to recover properly.

It’s also important to warm up prior to intermittent exercise and stretch afterwards to prevent muscle strains despite how short the workout is.

For more information about HIT and how it might fit into your fitness routine, ask the experts at Atlanta Body Institute. Co-founded by general surgeons Dr. Christopher Ibikunle and Dr. Angelina Postoev, our experienced team specializes in weight loss and surgical procedures.

Atlanta Body Institute has three locations in GA: Atlanta, Loganville, and Monroe. Contact one of our offices today to schedule an appointment or book it online.

3 Things You Should Know About Tubal Ligation

Try an internet search for “diets that work,” and in less than a second you’re left to sort through more than 1.3 billion — yes, billion — results.  To say that the world of dieting is confusing would be a colossal understatement. In fact, it almost seems that “new evidence” pops up every day extolling the virtues of one way of eating over another for effective weight loss and healthier living. So how do you know which diet is right for you?

At Atlanta Body Institute, our goal is to provide the Buckhead, Atlanta, and Loganville, Georgia, communities quality health care that considers each patient as an individual. We understand that no two people are alike, and we tailor our treatment programs to your unique situation, including your lifestyle, to ensure that you get the results you want.

To that end, here are three things to consider in deciding whether a low-carb diet is right for you.

1. It’s a low-carb diet, not no carbs at all

The first step to making any decision about a dietary plan is to arm yourself with the facts. So let’s start with one that’s fairly simple: Carbs are not your enemy. Carbs, which is short for carbohydrates, are nutrients in food that provide you with critical energy. When you ingest carbs, your body breaks them down into glucose, which is sent into your bloodstream to provide fuel for almost every cellular function. And some glucose is stored as glycogen in your liver and muscles.

Carbs only become problematic when you take in too many. Once your body uses and stores what it needs, the excess is turned into fat and tucked away for future use.

So when it comes to carbs, the trick is to strike the right balance by taking in only what you need and cutting out the excess. You can do this by reducing your carbs, as well as exercising more, which burns them off. In other words, there are several ways to tackle excess carbs, but you don’t need to cut them out entirely. We can work with you to find the level of carb intake that helps you meet your goals.

2. There are lots of other good foods you can eat

Aside from carbs, your body also relies on two other nutrient sources for fuel: protein and fat. Your body turns to carbs first because this energy is more accessible, but when there aren’t enough carbs, your body then turns to protein and fat to get the energy it needs. This means that when you embark on a low-carb diet, you can still provide your body with other essential nutrients.

In other words, by adding more proteins and healthy fats to your diet, you won’t be starving yourself. There’s nothing like a piece of chicken, and even a small steak, to energize your cells without glucose. We do urge you to approach these foods with discretion. Aim to add healthy proteins to your diet, like fish, poultry, and eggs, and steer clear of processed foods that tout high protein, like beef jerky and some protein bars, which can contain an alarming amount of sugar and sodium.

And when it comes to fat, try extra-virgin olive oil, avocados, and nuts, and avoid the unhealthy fats that come in many of the processed foods that line our grocery store aisles.

3. A low-carb diet can benefit your health

More than 84 million people in the United States are considered prediabetic, while 30 million have crossed over into full-blown diabetes. If you fall into either of these categories, a low-carb diet may be just what you need. Diabetes is a condition in which your body is unable to regulate glucose levels in your bloodstream, which can lead to a dangerous buildup of blood sugar, creating serious cardiovascular and metabolic problems. Since carbs are turned into glucose, it makes sense to monitor your carb intake in order to avoid high blood sugar levels.

Low-carb diets can be beneficial if you have other medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure. The best way to know whether your health may benefit from a low-carb diet is to come in for a complete physical and blood work so we can determine how to improve your health through your diet.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether a low-carb diet fits your lifestyle, and we’re happy to discuss your unique situation and come up with a dietary plan. Just give us a call or use the online scheduling tool to set up an appointment.

When You Should Consider a Hysterectomy

Even if you’re young or don’t read about diet and health, you’re probably aware of a tremendous shift in the kinds of foods that Americans started producing and buying over the last few decades.

We eat more processed foods, fewer fresh foods, and larger portions than our grandparents and great-grandparents did, and it’s showing up as epidemics in obesity and metabolic diseases among every age group.

By eating trans fats, hydrogenated oils, sugar (especially high-fructose corn syrup), and factory-raised animals who’re fed unnatural diets and live under stressful conditions, we’ve have lowered the amount of nutrients our bodies get, while upping the calorie count.

The problem was compounded by misguided advice that urged us all to eat fewer fats and more carbohydrates. The low-fat, high-carb approach to dieting led to unsustainable weight loss, weight regain, and spikes in insulin that trigger fat storage.

Burning a new type of fuel

The ketogenic (keto) diet is a low-carbohydrate approach to eating that might seem counterintuitive the first time you hear about it. Instead of limiting dietary fat, keto’s aim is to train your body to burn fat by cutting out sugar and high-glycemic carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, and white potatoes.

Keto puts your body into a metabolic state called “ketosis,” in which all the calories you need come from energy-rich ketones produced by your liver after it digests fatty acids. Expert doctor and surgeon Dr. Christopher Ibikunle of the Atlanta Body Institute in Atlanta, recommends keto for women and men who want to:

• Lose weight
• Reduce disease-causing inflammation
• Increase energy levels
• Eliminate brain fog
• Lower blood sugar
• Lower cholesterol
• Improve overall health

The keto diet originated decades ago to help children who had epilepsy. It’s also used to treat or prevent other diseases, including type 2 diabetes and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Before conducting any medically supervised weight loss at the Atlanta Body Institute, our doctors perform a thorough medical exam and order a blood panel. We let you know if keto is the right diet for you.

Forget calories; think nutrients

If you’ve counted calories when attempting to lose weight, you’ll welcome Keto’s emphasis on eating sufficient quantities of whole foods without worrying about the total calorie count. Instead, Dr. Ibikunle and the rest of our team urge you to focus on the nutritional value of the foods you eat, as well as their quality.

The first step is to eliminate high-carb foods that cause your body to store fat rather than burn it, as well as foods that cause inflammation, including:

• Grains (including whole grains, breads, and pasta)
• Sugars (including honey, agave, and high-glycemic fruits such as cherries)
• Starchy vegetables (white potatoes, too many yams)
• All processed foods
• Conventional, unfermented dairy
• Cheese
• Legumes (beans and peanuts)

On the keto diet, you get about 75% of your energy from high-quality fats, 20% from grass-fed, pastured animal protein (including fatty fish and eggs), and 5% from carbohydrates.

Most vegetables are low in carbs but are supercharged with nutrients, so you can enjoy as many as you like. And since you’re eating a high-fat diet, you can flavor steamed, sauteed, or raw veggies with rich, satisfying fats such as grass-fed butter, ghee, and olive oil.

Don’t guess, know

By working with the Atlanta Body Institute, you’ll know whether your body has gone into ketosis and is burning ketones for energy, instead of sugar. We’re also here to help you learn how to adjust to new ways of eating and thinking about food.

While you may worry about restricting beloved foods like bread and cake, we encourage you to think about the amazing array of new flavors and textures that keto opens up to you, including delicious, filling fats that you can eat alone or on vegetables, such as:

• Avocados
• Bacon (pastured, uncured pork only)
• Grass-fed butter and ghee
• Virgin coconut oil
• Virgin olive oil (not for cooking)
• Pastured lard
• Pastured bone marrow (good for bone broth)

Unlike other low-carb diets that are sometimes mistaken for keto, a true ketogenic diet does not require protein loading. In fact, proteins are kept to between 20% to 30% of your diet to reduce the risk of your body converting proteins to sugar (an unwanted process called gluconeogenesis). Keto-friendly protein choices include:

• Grass Fed beef and lamb
• Fatty, omega-3 rich fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines)
• Pastured eggs
• Organic turkey and chicken
• Shellfish
• Pastured gelatin
• Pastured organ meats (livers, kidneys, hearts)
• Macadamia nuts, pecans, walnuts

Our team helps you identify Keto-friendly foods and can even steer you toward recipes that your whole family can enjoy. You can expect benefits such as more energy, clearer skin, and better sleep.

The keto diet is part of a series of lifestyle changes we may recommend to optimize your weight and health, including exercise and sufficient hydration with filtered water. To find out if the keto diet is right for you, call us today or book an appointment online.

How High Intensity Training Can Help You Lose Fat

HIT workouts are performed in intervals of short, high-speed bursts followed by slower recovery sessions—switching between short sprints and light jogging, for instance.

Some other examples of HIT workouts include:

• Burpees
• Squat jumps
• Pushups
• Speed walking
• Lunges

Most intermittent exercises only require your body weight, although some can be done with small equipment like medicine balls and light weights. HIT can also save you time, as it is much shorter than most workouts.

High intensity workouts burn more fat

An average person burns 298-355 calories during a moderate 30-minute jog. Intermittent exercises, however, can burn the same, if not more, calories in less time.

HIT uses up most of your glucose and oxygen stores as energy. As your muscles refuel, they use stored glucose and fat from other parts of the body as energy.

Less demanding workouts only need minimal glucose, and typically your body uses stored carbohydrates as energy instead of fat. Studies suggest that intermittent exercise alters the sequence of metabolic function, shifting the focus from carbs to fat for energy.  

Another study discovered that people who performed HIT workouts lost 28.5 percent more weight than people who performed continuous exercises.

HIT continues burning fat after exercise

High intensity exercises burn fat hours after your workout ends. Since your body burns through all of its energy reserves during the workout, it continues burning fat to refuel the muscles. The demand for energy speeds up your metabolism, which results in more calories burned.

HIT also accelerates the production of various hormones, like testosterone and human growth hormones (HGH). With an increase in HGH and testosterone, your body can improve muscle mass, repair muscle tissue, and tone your muscles at a faster rate.

HIT improves your aerobic capacity

Intense activity rapidly raises your heart rate, which increases oxygen intake, improves blood circulation, and impacts your athletic performance.

As your muscles learn to better utilize oxygen, they won’t tire out as quickly during exercise. You’ll notice an increase in aerobic capacity and endurance, allowing you to work out longer and at higher speeds.

Is HIIE right for you?

HIT isn’t for everyone. The drastic change of pace can result in injury if you’re not conditioned for it. Before starting any HIT plans, consult your doctor to make sure it’s right for you.

If you’re new to HIT, it’s best to start out slow and work your way up. Experts recommend a 10-12-week conditioning plan of moderate-to-low intensity workouts to improve strength, flexibility, and endurance.

HIT is demanding, so it shouldn’t be done regularly. It’s better to perform them only a few times a week to avoid injury and allow your muscles to recover properly.

It’s also important to warm up prior to intermittent exercise and stretch afterwards to prevent muscle strains despite how short the workout is.

For more information about HIT and how it might fit into your fitness routine, ask the experts at Atlanta Body Institute. Co-founded by general surgeons Dr. Christopher Ibikunle and Dr. Angelina Postoev, our experienced team specializes in weight loss and surgical procedures.

Atlanta Body Institute has three locations in GA: Atlanta, Loganville, and Monroe. Contact one of our offices today to schedule an appointment or book it online.

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Understanding Chronic Obesity

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity is an epidemic in this country. But being obese doesn’t mean you have to be a statistic. Taking control of your weight can lower your risk of serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

What is chronic obesity?

Obesity is defined as having an excess of fat with a body mass index of 30 or more. It’s a chronic and progressive condition that may be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, or lifestyle factors. For example, some people may have a family history of obesity or being overweight; others may gain weight from eating an unhealthy diet and not exercising. As you gain weight, your hormones and metabolic processes may become unbalanced, leading to a dangerous cycle of even more weight gain.

Christopher Ibikunle, MD and the highly skilled team at Atlanta Body Institute are dedicated to helping people lose weight, regain their health, and live their best lives. They aim to educate and support their patients while offering bariatric surgical options that help them reach their weight loss goals sooner.

Don’t wait until it’s too late

If you’re obese and don’t seek to lose weight, you may not only be shortening your lifespan, but increasing your risk of cancer and other serious health conditions, including:

• High blood pressure – your body has to work harder to circulate your blood
• Heart disease – your arteries may get clogged and block blood flow to the heart
• Type 2 diabetes – you may develop insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar
• Arthritis – extra stress on joints like the knees and hips can cause inflammation
• Metabolic syndrome – a group of conditions including obesity, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance

Excess weight may even affect your quality of life, creating anxiety or depression or making it difficult for you to participate in activities you enjoy. If you’re obese and want to take control of your health, you have options.

What you can do about obesity

The backbone of losing weight is eating less and exercising more. Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Aim for physical activity every day, and set a goal so you have something to work toward. For example, try walking around the block without stopping, or simply walking for 15 straight minutes. It might be hard at first, but it will get easier as exercise becomes part of your regular routine.

How we can help

Each person is unique, so our weight loss experts provide recommendations based on your specific needs. If lifestyle changes and medication don’t work, Atlanta Body Institute’s bariatric surgeon, Dr. Ibikunle, can perform gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, or balloon procedures.

Don’t let chronic obesity keep you from living the life you want. We have offices conveniently located in Atlanta, Loganville, and Monroe, GA, so contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Are Varicose Veins a Health Risk?

If you’ve ever looked down at your legs and wondered if you needed to have them checked out because your varicose veins just don’t look good, you aren’t alone. According to the American College of Phlebology, up to 50% of women in America have varicose veins or a related disorder of the veins. Varicose veins also affect roughly half of the population over age 50.

What you really want to know is if your varicose veins are a health risk. Will they cause any problems other than cosmetic ones? The simple answer is, it depends.

What are varicose veins? 

Varicose veins are bulging, gnarled veins. Any superficial vein can have this condition, although it’s most common in your legs and feet because there’s greater pressure placed on your lower extremities. 

Arteries take blood from your heart to the rest of your body, and veins return the blood to the heart, so it can continue circulating through your body. The veins in your legs are working against gravity to get the blood all the way up to the heart, so they need pumps (muscle contractions in your legs) and tiny valves that keep the blood from flowing backward.

Varicose veins occur when these valves become weak or get damaged. If the valves no longer work correctly, the blood can pool in your veins, causing them to become enlarged and twisted.

What health risks can varicose veins cause?

Varicose veins can lead to other health problems as well:

• They can be the cause of spontaneous bleeding, which happens when a vein under a thin section of skin bursts.This usually isn’t serious, but bleeding should be treated. 
• They can also lead to superficial phlebitis, which is an inflammation of a vein. Symptoms include pain and swelling, and this can lead to a greater risk of deep vein thrombosis, which involves a dangerous blood clot in the vein.
• If a varicose vein doesn’t provide enough drainage of fluid from your skin, it can also cause a leg ulcer to form.

Should you see a doctor for varicose veins?

For many people, varicose veins are just a cosmetic problem—they don’t like the way the veins look. Others may experience some aching and discomfort, while still others need to be treated to keep more serious issues from occurring.

If you have mild varicose veins (such as spider veins, which are small veins close to the skin’s surface), you’re probably fine. If you have some discomfort, but it gets better when you stay off your feet or wear compression socks, you are likely okay as well. If, however, your condition seems to be getting worse no matter what you do – or if you just want peace of mind – you should see a doctor.

Dr. Christopher Ibikunle and the team at Atlanta Body Institute can conduct some painless tests to determine how severe your varicose veins are and if they may be causing any additional health risks to you. Once they have the results of these tests, they will be able to recommend the best treatment for you.

Call any of their Atlanta-area locations to schedule an appointment today!