Obesity North Carolina

Obesity is a national health issue in the United States as the country has one of the highest rates of adult obesity in the world. It is vital to seek medical counseling for obesity. North Carolina residents can find a full range of gastrointestinal health services, including obesity counseling, at Carolina Digestive Health Associates. We operate eight offices and five endoscopy clinics in the area, and our 14 highly trained gastroenterologists practice patient care in every major hospital in the Charlotte area.

What Is Obesity?

Obesity is the medical term for a great excess of body fat. Obesity is beyond being overweight; while a person classifies as "overweight" with a body-mass index (BMI) rating of 25 to 29.9, a person qualifies as obese with a BMI over 30. BMI of 30 to 34.9 qualifies as Class I obesity, and BMI of 35 to 39.9 is Class II obesity. Any BMI over 40 is Class III or extreme obesity. It is important to remember that the BMI scale does not directly measure body fat, so an individual in great shape may technically qualify as obese due to his or her BMI rating.

Risk Factors for Obesity

Although there are genetic markers that predispose some individuals to obesity, most cases of obesity are preventable with healthy lifestyle choices, regular exercise, and a balanced diet. Unfortunately, many Americans subsist on a diet of fast foods, processed foods, and high-calorie beverages. These unhealthy food options in combination with a sedentary lifestyle is a recipe for obesity.

Aside from genetic markers, inactivity, and poor eating habits, other common causes of obesity include:

• Medical problems such as arthritis that lead to decreased physical activity and eventual weight gain.
• Side effects of some prescription medications. Some medications may cause weight gain or other symptoms that interfere with an active lifestyle.
• Economic factors can also lead to obesity. Lower-income individuals typically work longer for less money and may rely on fast food and other unhealthy eating options daily.
• Nicotine is a natural appetite suppressant, and people who quit smoking often experience weight gain due to increased appetite. If left unchecked this may lead to significant weight gain in a short time.
• Poor sleeping habits can cause hormonal imbalance that leads to a diminished ability to metabolize food efficiently.

If you suffer from any type of medical condition that entails a risk of weight gain, it is important to speak to your doctor about dietary and lifestyle changes you can make to avoid obesity.

Possible Complications From Obesity

Obesity can entail a wide range of physical, psychological, and even social problems. Obese people frequently encounter ridicule and even discrimination, and obesity can lead to feelings of isolation and an inability to participate in some social activities. Over time, obesity can generate a host of negative effects including loss of motivation, depression, sexual dysfunction, decreased work performance, and constant feelings of guilt and shame.

Medically, obesity poses a host of threats. Obesity significantly increases one’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and various cancers. Obesity can also cause respiratory problems, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, or even stroke. It is imperative to take steps to lose weight if a doctor has diagnosed you as obese.

Most doctors will prefer to prescribe lifestyle and dietary changes to combat obesity before they consider surgical options. Surgical procedures like liposuction are popular but they are primarily performed for cosmetic reasons. A gastric bypass procedure may help an obese person control his or her appetite more easily and manage food intake enough to start losing weight but undergoing such a procedure entails significant risks and recovery time.

When to See a Doctor About Obesity

If you want to lose weight but you are having trouble developing a diet plan or exercise regimen that works for you, or if you suffer from a medical condition that causes obesity, you need treatment from an experienced gastroenterologist. There are many possible treatments available and each patient will have a different experience in overcoming obesity. North Carolina residents in need of obesity counseling can call (704) 486-5194 during regular business hours to schedule an appointment with Carolina Digestive Health Associates.

Carolina Digestive Health Associates

Carolina Digestive Health Associates is a group of gastroenterologists serving the residents of North Carolina. We have fourteen highly rated GI doctors who provide service at eight offices and five endoscopy centers. Our doctors work in all major hospitals in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

Our physicians, together with our highly trained physician assistants and nurse practitioners, cover a wide range of specialties and are skilled in diagnosis and treatment. Whether you have chronic problems with your digestive tract, a recent, acute attack or simply want a checkup, our team is here in North Carolina to help you reach your healthcare goals.

What We Do

Our team of gastroenterologists in North Carolina is trained to diagnose gastric conditions involving the esophagus, the stomach, the liver, the colon and the rectum. Once we make a diagnosis, we can form a treatment plan tailored to the specific patient and their needs. Some of the common conditions we treat include:

• Constipation
• Bloating and gas
• Celiac disease
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Colorectal cancer
• Diarrhea
• Esophageal cancer
• Fatty liver
• Gallstone
• Gastritis
• GERD
• Hemorrhoids
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Lactose intolerance
• Obesity
• Ulcers

Our team has experience diagnosing and treating these conditions and many more. North Carolina residents in the Charlotte area have come to trust our expertise and our friendly customer service.

Procedures

Our specialists cover a wide variety of fields within gastroenterology and can perform an array of procedures once they have made a diagnosis. Some of the more common procedures are:

• Rectal manometry. This test determines if the rectum is functioning properly and helps to diagnose fecal incontinence and chronic constipation.
• Breath test. A GI doctor can diagnose certain digestive conditions by measuring the gases which a patient exhales.
• Colonoscopy. By means of a camera inserted into the body, doctors can view the intestine and look for polyps, ulcers, bleeding, inflammation and even cancer.
• Polypectomy. If doctors discover polyps during an endoscopy, they will use this procedure to remove them.
• Upper endoscopy. Similar to a colonoscopy, this procedure views the esophagus, stomach and upper duodenum for inflammation, ulcers and abnormal growths.
• Esophageal manometry. This test is to determine the strength of the muscles that you use to swallow, which can affect conditions like heartburn.
• Feeding tubes. A GI doctor can insert a feeding tube when necessary if a patient is not able to feed him or herself.
• ORBERA Gastric Balloon. The FDA has approved our non-surgical program to help patients lose weight and form healthy habits to maintain a stable, healthy weight in the long term.

Research

At Carolina Digestive Health Associates in North Carolina, we participate in many clinical research trials. Medicine is a field that constantly advances, and we encourage and participate in this process to discover new and better ways to diagnose and treat digestive disorders. Sometimes, these trials provide treatment options to our patients in North Carolina that they would not be able to get anywhere else.

When Should You Come to See Us?

Persistent or severe symptoms are reasons to schedule a consultation with us in North Carolina. We also recommend regular screenings starting at age 45 for colon cancer. You may need to see a general practitioner first to get a referral. Come see us if you experience any of the following:

• Constipation. Fewer than three bowel movements a week means constipation. If it persists, contact us.
• Diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common problem, but if it doesn't go away it could be a sign of something more serious.
• Heartburn. A burning your stomach and chest could be your stomach acid inflaming the lining of your esophagus.
• Stomach pain. Severe stomach pain could mean you have a gallstone. More persistent, burning pain could be an ulcer.
• Bloating. If you bloat after a meal, your body might be reacting to something you ate. A gastroenterologist can diagnose the cause.
• Hemorrhoids. If the veins in your rectum are swollen or feel irritated, you may have hemorrhoids, which a GI doctor can treat.
• Blood in your stool. If your stool is black and tarry, or if there is red in the water after a bowel movement, you may have a severe problem that requires immediate attention.

For any of the above symptoms or a cancer screening in North Carolina, contact Carolina Digestive Health Associates for a consultation. Call us at (704) 486-5194 and let one of our highly skilled gastroenterologists assist you.