Welcome to the Official SAMPA Blog
Interesting Research into Inguinal Hernias
While new technology and technique is revolutionizing hernia repair surgery, the basic risk factors for hernias have been known for a long time and continue to hold true. So, when we come across research that sheds light on the potential causes of hernias and how they develop, it can be exciting.
Northwestern University researchers have found a potential link between increased estrogen levels, lower testosterone levels and development of groin hernias. The change in sex hormone levels, a common occurrence with age, may weaken muscle tissue in the groin area, creating a perfect environment for a hernia.
I’ve Heard About A Sports Hernia – Is That a Real Hernia?
A sports hernia (also known as athletic pubalgia) is an injury with symptoms very similar to an inguinal or groin hernia. Typically, participants in sports requiring quick direction changes or sudden twisting movements may develop a sports hernia. The most common sports that cause this condition are soccer, football, golf, hockey and sometimes basketball.
Dr. Ballard: The CORONADO Study on Outcomes for COVID Patients with Diabetes and Obesity
Early on in the coronavirus pandemic, the Center for Disease Control identified obesity and diabetes as characteristics that increased individual’s risk for severe complications from COVID-19. Now, new research is beginning to clearly demonstrate how these health conditions impact patient’s outcomes. Published in Diabetologia, “Phenotypic characteristics and prognosis of inpatients with COVID-19 and diabetes: the CORONADO study” followed hospitalized COVID-19 patients with diabetes in a nationwide observational study in France. Two important standouts from this research:
- Body Mass Index was independently correlated to severity of COVID-19
- Nearly 11% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with diabetes died within 7 day
Simple Roasted Cauliflower with Creamy Lemon Dip
Cauliflower is a surprisingly versatile vegetable, easily standing in as a lower calorie option for rice, mashes potatoes, crusts, and much more. In this dish, we let the cauliflower shine! Roasting the cauliflower florets with a garlic seasoning creates a simple, but delicious, vehicle for a creamy sauce.
Why Have Weight Loss Surgery Series – AFib
One of the lesser-known consequences of excess weight and obesity is a heart condition known as atrial fibrillation or AFib. This is the most common arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat experienced by Americans and patients around the world. The symptoms of AFib can run the gamut from mild to debilitating, depending on the frequency, intensity and duration of the episodes. Most importantly, however, AFib increases the risk of stroke by up to five times.
Why Have Weight Loss Surgery Series – Diabetes
Diabetes has been definitively linked to obesity. In fact, due to the excess weight and obesity epidemic in the United States, it is estimated that by 2050, up to 33% of all Americans could have diabetes.
Further, with even younger people becoming obese, diabetes has become a problem for young adults and even adolescents that were at far lower risk in the past. The result is a life of needing blood sugar control medication, yo-yo-dieting and experiencing medical complications associated with elevated blood sugar. Further, COVID-19 has shown us that diabetes can even affect our ability to fight off infections and viruses. Recent research has shown poor outcomes in people hospitalized for COVID-19 who also have diabetes.
Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic
In late June, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) released a statement regarding metabolic and bariatric surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Surgical Association of Mobile, PA echoes their call to safely resume surgery. While the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, so too is the health crisis of obesity in America. Bariatric and Metabolic surgery has been shown as the best treatment for individuals suffering with obesity. Severe obesity both limits the quality of life of patients and can become life-threatening. Bariatric procedures have been put on hold in much of the country during the coronavirus pandemic and deemed “elective.”
Ensuring Proper Portion Control After Bariatric Surgery
Portion control is one of the hardest aspects of post bariatric surgery life. After surgery, you may only be able to eat 20% or so of what you ate before.
In the early stages of postoperative life, patients quickly realize that they simply cannot eat as much as they used to. This is particularly true for patients who have undergone stapled surgical procedures such as the gastric bypass, gastric sleeve or duodenal switch. These procedures physically reduce the size of the stomach so drastically that it is uncomfortable, and in many cases, painful when patients eat too much. Some surgical patients also have a self-limiting condition known as dumping syndrome making them feel physically ill if they eat too much food; or the wrong foods (sugary, fatty, etc.).
Greek Chicken Breasts
The Mediterranean diet has long been hailed one of the healthiest options. The traditional style, contrary to our western style of eating, focuses more on more whole foods and plant-based dishes. The main ingredients you will find in the Mediterranean diet include vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, herbs, spices, fish, seafood and a healthy dose of extra virgin olive oil. This flavor packed recipe will truly highlight the main dish.
Why the Gastric Bypass Is So Effective Against Type Two Diabetes
One of the great advantages but also mysteries of the gastric bypass over the past several decades has been its effectiveness in fighting type-2 or adult-onset diabetes. We know that obesity and excess weight in general increases the risk of diabetes. Logically, therefore, we believed that significant excess weight loss offered by the gastric bypass would resolve it quickly. But there was a nagging question.
We noticed that the improvement or resolution of type two diabetes happened within days or just a couple weeks of the procedure. This was puzzling because patients would not yet have lost a significant amount of weight. We also saw that restrictive procedures did not have the same virtually immediate reaction time.
So, what is the mechanism that makes the gastric bypass so effective, that it could improve diabetes before the patient lost a significant amount of weight?
