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Medical Risk Asseessment in Post-Op Patients with Waist/Hip Ratio and Waist Circumference

A new study might help doctors identify risk factors in patients that undergo elective colorectal surgery, hopefully cutting down on mortality and morbidity after surgery. Previously, doctors relied on BMI (body mass index) to help them identify patients that have higher risk of mortality and morbidity.

A new study, published in Annals of Surgery, reveals that waist circumference and waist/hip ratio might be a better factor to help doctors determine risks. This latest revelation came about thanks to advances in the study of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. To challenge the reliance on BMI as a predictive risk indicator, the study examined a total of 1,349 patients who had operations in 38 centers in 11 countries.

The study found that increasing waist/hip ratio significantly raised the risk of a number of complications. While BMI still could be used to determine risk factors, it was only a reliable predictor for abdominal wall complications, whereas waist/hip ratio and waist circumference helped doctors identify risk factors in other complications. The study concludes that “WHR [waist/hip ratio] is predictive of adverse events after elective colorectal surgery.”

As medicine continues to advance through technology and scientific study, doctors will be able to more accurately predict potential complications of surgery. Our doctors at MSCI are always looking out for new studies like this that help improve our ability to assist patients and improve their quality of life. It’s a commitment we make to our Irving, Texas, community: we don’t just want to better your health; we want to get better at treating you as well.

Benefits of Moderate Weight Loss: Weight Loss in Middle Aged Women

A recent study published in The Journal of the American Heart Association has linked moderate weight loss to some serious health benefits in middle aged women. The study included 417 middle-aged women over a two year period who maintained a weight loss of 10% or more of their body weight.

While many people understand the benefits of healthy weight loss, the new study reveals overlooked benefits in middle-aged women: lower LDL levels, higher HDL levels, lower triglycerides, lower blood glucose, and lower inflammation markers. Furthermore, women who had the highest risk factors at the beginning of the study also received the most benefit from weight loss. Most people who have dealt with cholesterol problems in the past should be excited about these findings; the higher HDL (commonly called good cholesterol gets and the lower the LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, the better for many of us.

The average weight for women in this study was 200 pounds with the average age of 44.

Weight loss is an important issue facing many individuals. The study noted that middle aged women—in particular women who have had multiple pregnancies, are transitioning to menopause, or working sedentary jobs, commonly gain weight around this point in their lives. However, a 10% reduction in weight over two years can have important health benefits.

For those interested in weight loss programs, MSCI’s Ideal Protein program might be just what you need in order to reach your weight loss goals this year. While not for everyone, Ideal Protein gives many individuals an avenue to reach their weight loss goals in a healthy and medically-supervised manner. Ask your doctor today about Ideal Protein and if the program is right for you.

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Understanding Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes

Thanks to modern technology and medical understanding, people living with Type 2 Diabetes can live normal lives. As the most common form of diabetes in the US, Type 2 can be manageable to live with, particularly when those diagnosed with the condition are educated about the associated challenges.

Did you know that there are actually two different types of insulin resistances? Type A is characterized by a decrease in the number of insulin receptors, while Type B results in auto-antibodies fighting against a person’s insulin receptors. The important distinction between the two types of insulin resistance is the fact that Type B resistance decreases insulin’s ability to attach to insulin receptors and the proper cells, minimizing the effectiveness of insulin.

In patients who have an increased body fat content, there is a greater chance of developing insulin resistance. This is because fat cells actually store hormones, which contributes to adipocyte mediated insulin resistance. At the same time, fat tissue also decreases adiponectin (a protein that helps regulate glucose levels and breaking down fatty acids) and increases TNF-a and resistin.

One study, Pharmacology of signaling pathways: In type 2 diabetes, points to a connection between insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, the study suggests that insulin resistance is not caused by total body fat but by an increase in body fat content. This opens up the possibility in the future of companies developing better drugs to help those with type 2 diabetes cope and live with their condition.

The doctors at the Medical and Surgical Clinic of Irving are always looking to stay current with the latest findings and will continue to educate their patients about new treatments and developments in the study of medicine.