Some of the most common diseases affecting American adults today are type 2 diabetes, heart disease, GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease), and high blood pressure. Learn how you can take control of your health and reduce your risk for these chronic illnesses. If you suffer from these diseases already, find out how JSAPA Weight Loss Surgery and other lifestyle changes can help.

Type 2 Diabetes:

• Lose weight. If you can lose even 5% of your body weight, your blood sugar levels can improve, and if you’re able to lose 10% of your body weight, you may experience significant changes on your insulin and blood sugar levels. In addition, undergoing bariatric surgery such as Lap-Band  has a high chance of reducing or even eliminating diabetes symptoms completely.
• Watch what you eat. By changing your diet to a low or no-carb, low-sugar, high-fiber one, avoiding starches like breads and pastas and eating fibers like beans, nuts, bran and vegetables, you can facilitate diabetes-friendly weight loss.
• Exercise daily. Aerobic exercise can improve your muscles’ ability to absorb glucose from your bloodstream, which can reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes.

Heart Disease:

• Change your diet. Eat more fish and fiber and focus your diet around vegetables.
• Avoid smoke. If you currently smoke, quit. If you are around smokers, make changes to avoid secondhand smoke.
• Reduce your stress. Try calming techniques such as yoga, meditation, walking, and biofeedback to lower your stress levels and put less pressure on your heart.

GERD:

• Adjust what you eat. Avoid fatty and spicy foods, chocolate, alcohol, and caffeine. All of these are known to increase your chances of experiencing acid reflux and negatively affect your esophageal sphincter. Eating smaller meals will also put less pressure on your esophagus and reduce the risk of damaging acid reflux.
• Change your evening habits. By avoiding late-night meals or going to bed within two hours of eating, and by reclining your bed so your head is slightly elevated, you can alleviate many nighttime heartburn episodes.

High Blood Pressure:

• Change your diet. Reduce your sodium intake, eliminate saturated and trans fats, drink less alcohol, and eat more fruits and vegetables.
• Manage your stress. Get a good night’s sleep and try meditation and exercise to reduce your stress levels.

Many of these chronic illnesses are caused or made worse by obesity. Bariatric surgery has been proven to help morbidly obese people lose a significant amount of weight and resolve obesity-related health complications.