If you’re overweight, you’re not alone. More than one-third of Americans are obese, and two-thirds are either obese or overweight. All 50 states in the US now have at least a 20 percent obesity rate, with five states at more than 35 percent of their population being obese (South Carolina is not one of them). Just two decades ago, not one state in our nation had over a 15 percents obesity rate. Being overweight and obese is an epidemic, one far more scary and imminent than headline viruses. Obesity is linked to 60 chronic illnesses, and has now surpassed smoking as the No. 1 preventable cause of death. The reason: We are eating more. Way more! We are consuming 23 percent more calories on a daily basis than we did in the 1970s. What that looks like in numbers is a standard 2,000 calorie per day consumption has increased to an average of almost 2,500 calories per day, all while physical activity has decreased. The result: We have become an unhealthy, sick country. Everyone knows losing weight is one of the hardest tasks to conquer. Sometimes we feel defeated before we even start. The good news is, if you are overweight or obese, losing even five percent of your current weight helps reduce your risks for disease. Many wonder where to start. It’s OK to ask for help, and that’s why we went to the experts to really talk about the ins and outs of weight loss and fat reduction, and what the difference is.

Many people think a stroke happens in the heart, but it happens in the brain, and it can be devastating. Stroke is a disease you must be educated about. When it happens, it is always sudden and never expected. Knowing the signs and symptoms, and acting FAST, can mean the difference between a stroke victim being permanently disabled, or being able to resume a normal, healthy life. It can also be the difference between life and death. Read on to educate yourself on the risk factors, signs and symptoms of stroke.

There is a surefire formula for Americans that is resulting in the rise of the dangerous disease of diabetes: Decreased exercise plus increased weight equals more and more diabetes diagnoses. There is good news and bad news when it comes to diabetes. Let’s talk bad new first: Diabetes is one of the most destructive diseases one can face. It breaks the body down, affecting vision, kidneys, nerves, gastric function, and blood circulation. It also severely increases the risks for heart disease and stroke. In other words, it negatively affects almost every body function. So whats the good news? Diabetes is controllable, and there is a lot of help out there to get you going on the right track. Speaking of tracks, one of the best ways to combat diabetes is by taking a daily brisk walk. In other words, by changing your lifestyle, you can change your trajectory of illness due to diabetes. Read on to learn more about this disease from our leading experts.

It can't be happening—thinning hair, texture change and even worse—hair going down the drain at an alarming rate. What is happening? Is it aging? Illness? Nutrition? Thinning hair is not something women talk much about. However, that doesn’t mean the problem isn’t real. We decided our skin was thick enough, even if our hair wasn’t, to unclog the silence and ask the professionals to give us the skinny on thinning hair.

One of the most dreaded conditions for women (and men) is incontinence. Unwanted and untimely waste leakage is a problem that ranges from being inconvenient to completely embarrassing. Though it’s usually a topic discussed jokingly in women’s circles, urinary incontinence is truly no laughing matter, and fecal incontinence is even worse. Both conditions can change a person’s lifestyle, making them not want to go out or socialize as much because of the chance of unwanted leakage. The good news is incontinence is not inevitable with age. In addition, there are many effective new treatments to consider. Read on to learn the various conditions of leakage—as they are not the same—and what you can do about it!

What is Palliative Care?
Palliative Care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) is professional care that helps ill people and their family members with support to make the most out of each day. During the course of an illness, palliative care addresses the whole person, physically, by anticipating symptoms a patient may experience, as well as addressing current symptoms for maximum quality of life. Emotional and spiritual care is also provided to navigate the journey of an illness. Additionally, palliative care can help to facilitate holistic medical care and navigation through the segmented health care system. Patient choices and autonomy are the primary focus.

A lot of us grew up in an age of miracle cures.
The antibiotics and vaccines of the mid-twentieth century
were so effective that we are fortunate we don’t even
remember how dreaded—even deadly—polio, tuberculosis
and other diseases were, which are all but unknown now.

With these blessings came a bit of complacency. For instance, have you been getting your annual flu shot? Do you know what other vaccines are recommended for your age and medical history? If you’re planning a trip abroad, do you know what immunizations you might need to stay protected?
Since August is National Immunization Awareness Month, let it serve as a reminder to get those much-needed vaccinations.

 Oh, My Aching Back!
Bend and stretch … reach for the sky … Oops!
Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!
As most of us know, back pain can be a major pain whether it’s a chronic
or temporary condition. This month, Pink’s professional and medical experts tackle
the subject of back pain and its myriad causes and treatments.

Is there a perfectly good reason—other than how we look—for losing weight?
Is there a perfect formula? A perfect size? A perfect diet?
This month, our Pink medical professionals weigh in with the good—
and the not so good—news.  

Sarah Hankey, CHC, NuBODIA Wellness & Weight Loss
Why is a nutritionally balanced diet important for weight loss?Nutrition is absolutely key when it comes to weight loss. Everyone wants that magic wand—that one thing that will help them achieve their wellness goals—and the answer is food!

Yes, movement is part of a healthy lifestyle, but no amount of exercise can undo the effects of a bad diet. Typically, when an individual is holding on to a lot of excess weight, it is actually a sign that their body is nutritionally starving.  When our bodies are consistently denied the necessary nutrients they need, they will store whatever “wrong” calories they do receive as fat.

Bigger? Smaller? Implants? Uplift? Safe? Sorry? Scary? Sigh. Should we or shouldn’t we tamper
with our ta-tas? These are the February Pink Prescriptions questions all about breast augmentation, and our medical professionals—all board certified plastic surgeons—are here with the answers.

There's no need to be embarrassed or shy.There’s good news and lots of it in the world on vaginal rejuvenation! Our Pink medical and aesthetics experts discuss their favorite, newest treatments and procedures, and each one is more than happy to walk you through the process.

Your December Pink Prescriptions column is all about The “M” word. And we don’t mean merry. We mean peri – and menopause. We asked our local health experts to answer some before, during, and after questions. Here’s what they had to say:

Am I experiencing menopause or perimenopause? How do I know the difference?
Menopause is defined by no menstrual cycle for at least 12 months. It occurs when your ovaries stop making estrogen. Perimenopause is the time frame prior to menopause when you start experiencing menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and menstrual irregularities.
Most women start experiencing perimenopausal symptoms in their 40s, while the average age of menopause in the U.S. is 51. If you are still having menstrual cycles, but experiencing the above symptoms, then you are likely in perimenopause. If you have skipped your period for several months and are wondering if it is due to menopause, your gynecologist can check a lab called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which is elevated after menopause.

Losing sleep over not being able to fall—or stay—asleep? If so, you’re not alone.
This month we went to our Lowcountry medical experts to find out some of the reasons—
and some of the remedies—for sleeplessness. Here’s what they had to say.

I wake up tired, what am I doing wrong?
You may not be doing anything wrong. One of the first questions we ask is whether you are snoring loudly, or have been noticed to stop breathing—both are possible signs of sleep apnea. Sometimes people can’t settle and have to move throughout the night, which is restless legs syndrome. If you think this is happening to you, discuss it with your physician as there are good treatments for both of these conditions that can give you a good night of restful sleep.

Snap ... crackle … POP!
If your hip and knee joints sound like a bowl of breakfast cereal when you stand up, sit down, or walk, what does it mean now and in the future? Why can body pain sometimes predict rain better than the local meteorologist? Should achy joints stay or should they go? We asked our Pink Magazine medical experts to weigh in on what can often be a very painful subject.

It’s #AnAppleADay month at Pink and it only makes sense to apply the theme to our monthly prescriptions column. We asked our expert local medical and health field resources a few theme-related questions we thought you might like answered, and we received a healthy dose of good advice return!

Does body shape, metabolism, or blood type
determine what kind of diet works best?
With so many different dieting options out there today, it is hard to determine which diet plan or program is right for you. However, there are some basic principles. Most important is finding a diet that you can continue on a long-term basis; weight loss and maintenance require a change in lifestyle for most. Some things to think about:
• Which diet has food that you actually like and will actually eat?
•  Can you afford the diet? Does it require purchased food, attending meetings, taking supplements?
• Do you need someone looking over your shoulder to keep you motivated or are you self-driven?
• Do you have accompanying medical issues that will affect your choice of diet plan or program?

Although considered by many to be a purely cosmetic concern, varicose veins are more than unsightly veins. If left untreated, large varicose veins may progress over time and lead to swelling, darkening of the skin, and pain.

1) What are varicose veins? Varicose veins are superficial veins in your legs that have enlarged due to increased pressure that builds up while standing. Varicose veins are tortuous, often bulging, and larger than spider veins. They vary in color from green, blue, to red, and cause heaviness, pain, aching, burning, leg swelling, and social embarrassment.

2) What are the causes? Abnormal veins, such as varicose and spider veins are present in nearly 40 percent of the adult population. They occur more frequently in women, but are also common in men, and are seen in all age groups, from the 20s through the 80s. Heredity, age, standing occupations, and weight gain, including that from pregnancy, are among risk factors associated with developing vein problems. Obesity, physical trauma to the legs, and hormone therapy can further aggravate your veins.

human body is a well-built machine offering warning signs just like your car. While these signs are not flashing lights, they are easy to detect by just paying attention. Obviously aches and pains are  warning signs indicating something is wrong. Another warning sign is your bodily fluids. That’s right, the stuff most of us think is gross, like poop, pee, discharges and blood, actually are magnificent storytellers about what’s going on inside our bodies. Here’s what we found out:

Why are facials important?

Skin is the body’s largest organ…not to mention it is the only organ constantly exposed to the elements. So considering that your face is the first thing people notice, it’s easy to see the importance of proper skincare. Though a facial is mainly meant to benefit the face, your entire body is relaxed during treatment. Along with decreasing stress, facials will improve acne, wrinkles, redness and uneven skin tone, making you look naturally younger. How? Through increased circulation, detoxification and exfoliation. They can even help undo some of the damage caused by too much sun exposure!

Even if you don’t have obvious skin issues, an esthetician can help you understand your skin and what it needs to stay healthy. You will never have the right products or equipment at home to get a professional effect. A knowledgeable, licensed esthetician will provide personalized skin recommendations and a regimen that will address your individual concerns. Once you’re on a great regimen, the esthetician will update it by season. It’s like having your own skin concierge! Regularly receiving facials will not only give you fast results, but also long-term results as well.

Kidney stones are on the rise; what should I know?
Important Questions to Ask Include: 1) How do I know if I have a kidney stone?  
2) Is there any way I can prevent one from occurring? 3) What are treatment options?

Kidney stones are one of the most common urinary tract problems, and while they occur more often in men, the number of women who experience kidney stones is increasing. Kidney stones are small, hard deposits made of mineral and acid salts that form inside the kidney and can vary in size and shape. Both men and women can experience kidney stones for a number of reasons, some of which can be controlled, like weight and drinking enough fluids, and others, which cannot, such as family history, or recurrent urinary tract infections. Symptoms may include pain during urination, severe pain in the back and side, discolored urination, blood in the urine, nausea, vomiting and even fever and chills. Some kidney stones pass out of the body without treatment and others require medical intervention. Treatment depends on the size and shape of the stone and could include pain relievers and fluids, surgery or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). With ESWL, shock waves from outside of the body target the kidney stone, causing it to break into smaller pieces, which are passed through the urinary system. Coastal Carolina Hospital provides ESWL on-site 24/7 for those who require this service.

Is this forgetfulness or something more serious?
Forgetting things is fairly common, particularly as we get older. I think about the brain as a file cabinet, the older we are, the more files and the longer it might take to find what we are looking for, but eventually we do. In patients with Alzheimer’s, the files have been removed, from the most recent back. This is why they don’t remember what they had for breakfast, and often times forget grandchildren.

Signs that are concerning for memory loss include lack of attention to personal care issues, leaving dangerous equipment (stoves, irons, etc.) on, or forgetting how to drive to known locations. Also, people may not be able to do normal things, such as balance a checkbook or pay bills. Often times they are not aware of the problems. There can be behavioral changes, from anger to withdrawal from social activities. We have a great resource in Memory Matters, where they will test your memory and give you advice to keep your memory as good as it can be.

What are the most popular types of birth control?
Approximately 62 percent of women between ages 15 and 44 use some form of contraception. The oral contraceptive pill is still the most popular. However there are quite a few other methods in which, based on each individual may be a better choice. Once a woman decides she doesn’t want more children, female sterilization via tubal ligation or blockage is a popular choice. Some couples opt for male sterilization via vasectomy. Both of these are the most effective means of birth control.

Sexually transmitted diseases, or more appropriately renamed sexually transmitted infections (STI) are bacteria and viruses transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. The most common are chlamydia, gonorrhea, mycoplasma genitalium, genital herpes (HSV), genital warts (HPV), hepatitis B/C, syphilis, trichomoniasis and HIV.

Human papilloma virus (HPV) has been around for a while but rarely discussed until recently. HPV has gained a lot of attention since vaccines have been developed to target the most high-risk types, which can cause cervical cancer. The vaccine is available to both males and females from ages 9-26. The reason to vaccinate is so when a child does become sexually active in the future, the immune system will be ready—the same idea behind most vaccines given to infants. Studies have shown that after a college female’s first sexual experience there is a 29 percent chance she will acquire some type of HPV and after three years about 50 percent will be infected.

Dependence on opiates, including prescription medication, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine and fentanyl, and street drugs (heroin), has reached epidemic proportions across the U.S. Many medical professionals and legislators regard this epidemic as a public health emergency. An overdose with these substances often results in death. More commonly, opiate dependency ruins lives by resulting in financial ruin, breakdown in relationships, and destruction of the family unit. As a result, crimes are committed to feed the dependency and jail time often occurs.

1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year.¹

After I was diagnosed with diabetes, my specialist told me to walk as much as possible. How does walking, or other exercise, help counter diabetes?
Walking can be a great way to increase physical activity because it does not require special equipment or a membership, just a good pair of shoes and a safe place to walk.

In today’s fast-paced, over-stimulated environment, stress is a given. However, anxiety, panic attacks and depression are not. These ailments are way more than “stress gone wild,” and require special care, and possibly medical attention, to keep them at bay.  
 
What can I do if anxiety is hindering my daily life?
Lifestyle changes can help alleviate the symptoms of anxiety. Effective techniques to reduce anxiety are: eating a healthy diet, limiting caffeine, alcohol and sugar intake, getting enough sleep, making time for your hobbies and talking to a friend or professional. We have long known these habits work.

I recommend three additional strategies that also work: Practice deep breathing. When anxious, we take short, fast breaths (hyperventilate) that deliver too much oxygen to our bodies. Hyperventilating explains our physical symptoms of anxiety: cold, sweaty hands, a rapid heartbeat. To counter those symptoms take deliberate deep, slow breaths. 

Unwanted hair keeps popping up in the wrong places...like my chin. What can I do?
Unwanted hair can be treated in a few different ways. Dermaplaning is great for removing unwanted facial hair including the vellus hair (peach fuzz). It leaves skin looking fresh and renewed! A dermaplaning treatment is performed by a professional using a surgical blade. 
 
Waxing is a quick, convenient hair removal option and can be used on virtually any part of the body.  It is most commonly used on the back, arms, legs, bikini line and facial areas, including the upper or lower lip, eyebrows and chin. There are a variety of wax options, and your esthetician will know which is best for your skin.

What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so it and brain cells die. Stroke can be caused either by a clot obstructing the flow of blood to the brain (called an ischemic stroke) or by a blood vessel rupturing and preventing blood flow to the brain (called a hemorrhagic stroke). Hemorrhagic strokes account for 13 percent of stroke cases, and there are two types: intracerebral (within the brain), and subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is bleeding between the brain and tissue covering the brain. A TIA (transient ischemic attack), or “mini stroke” is caused by a temporary clot.

What digestive warning signs would warrant a visit to my healthcare provider?
You should see your doctor if you are having any of the following symptoms:
• Difficulty swallowing. It feels like what you eat or drink is getting stuck somewhere between your throat and stomach.
• Unexplained weight loss.

The first thing people usually notice about someone is their smile. Nothing is more welcoming or as beautiful as a big, happy, toothy smile, and the best way to maintain your beautiful smile is to keep up on good dental health.

There is absolutely nothing good to say about varicose veins. No one wants them. Who enjoys having their legs look like a road map? Varicose veins can be unsightly, and in advanced states, uncomfortable, too. These bulging veins are associated with leg swelling, heaviness and pain, not to mention the potential for leg ulcers, which are a health risk.

Varicose veins occur because the venous valves controlling the upward flow of blood returning to the heart become incompetent and allow blood to fall (reflux) down the leg by the pull of gravity.