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Here’s How Hormones Can Sabotage Weight Loss

Are you feeling frustrated with your weight loss journey? There’s one critical element you may have overlooked. Your hormones! Achieving hormonal balance is not only necessary for optimizing the body’s function, but it is also foundational for maintaining a healthy weight. Impact Medical Group of Tampa looks at how hormones can sabotage weight loss and what you can do to prevent it.

Most people don’t realize that hormones play a vital part in the body’s metabolism and energy processing. One of the most critical hormones for these functions is estrogen. When high levels of estrogen are found in the body, it can increase the amount of fat in the belly and hip areas. This is such a common occurrence in women in their early 30s that this time is called “estrogen dominance.” Men can also experience this estrogen surge in their early 40s. But there are ways to decrease the estrogen load and achieve balance. Eat foods that detoxify the liver like leafy vegetables and fatty fish. Consider adding topical bioidentical progesterone to help counteract the effects of high estrogen. For an in-depth assessment, work with a team of professionals to identify supplements and blends that can reduce estrogen in your body.

The pancreas is another place where hormonal imbalances can sabotage weight loss. Insulin regulates blood glucose or blood sugar. Insulin shepherds glucose into the body as fuel or stores it as fat. Insulin sensitivity measures how well the body responds to insulin but if imbalanced, can lead to insulin resistance. This causes the cells to lose their response to insulin, a key indicator of Type 2 Diabetes.

Stress is almost always a factor in weight loss difficulty. Cortisol, a hormone produced in the adrenal glands, is also known as the “stress hormone.” Its role in the body is to respond to fight or flight situations but it also influences blood sugar levels. Stress triggers the body to release extra cortisol. When released for a long period, it causes the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal gland to become inflamed.

If you are interested in optimizing your health and restoring hormonal balance within your body, contact the Impact Medical Group of Tampa today. Call us at (813) 283-1910 or visit us online to schedule an appointment.

Read How Cash-Pay Clinics Can Benefit Their Patients

Did you know that there are a growing number of medical procedures that may cost less if you pay the provider directly? Even if you have health insurance, paying outright for services like blood work to outpatient surgery at a cash-pay clinic could benefit your finances more than you think. Impact Medical Group of Sun City Center looks at how this option may be favorable for patients everywhere.

Paying out of pocket when carrying insurance may seem ludicrous but when we look at how insurance functions, it might not seem so outlandish after all. Insurance is generally thought to always save patients money because we assume the best prices have been negotiated by our insurer, and because we expect the insurer will cover the remaining cost. But, that’s not always the case. Typically, when medical care is performed, it initiates a complicated billing chain that involves deductibles, co-pays, and more. Usually, these billing amounts aren’t definitively set and can be hard to estimate. There is also an increasing amount of people in high-deductible plans that must spend thousands of dollars before insurance even activates. For this and several other reasons, a cash-pay clinic option is favorable. Many hospitals and practices are willing to accept a reduced fee if the patient can pay with cash because the money is immediate and no time-consuming paperwork is needed.

But, when should you pay cash? If the practice accepts cash payments, there are some procedures that tend to have smaller costs associated with them. Diagnostic services like CAT scans, x-rays, and ultrasounds are good options to ask about pricing before submitting an insurance claim. Other services like physical therapy, outpatient surgeries, lab work, or even certain prescription drugs may be significantly cheaper when purchased with cash. It’s always a great idea to ask if there is an option to pay in cash before the procedure. Follow up with your insurer that will be able to give you pricing with and without insurance. If you choose to pay with cash, use HSA or FSA funds first.

At Impact Medical Group of Sun City Center, our progressive, multi-disciplinary medical practice dedicates itself to making a positive impact on the lives of every patient we have the pleasure of treating. Call our team at (813) 938-5195 to make an appointment today!

8 Warning Signs of a Hormonal Imbalance

If you have been feeling blue, gaining weight, or experiencing sleepless nights and fatigue you might be experiencing a hormonal imbalance.

Hormones oversee numerous processes and functions in your body including reproduction, digestion, and hair growth, so when one of them is out of whack, you’ll experience sometimes debilitating symptoms. 

Our team at Impact Medical Clearwater discusses the 8 warning signs of hormonal imbalances and what you should do if you are experiencing any of the symptoms.

The Problem with Hormonal Imbalances

When hormones are out of balance, they can have a serious impact on your entire wellbeing. This can occur due to natural aging, such as menopause, or because of abnormal production of a particular hormone.

Hormone imbalances are generally accompanied by a wide range of issues and symptoms so you will know when this happens. Depending on which hormone is in excess or not, you can suffer from a variety of symptoms.

These symptoms include:

#1. Irregular Periods

Individuals who menstruate generally expect to have a period every 24-38 days, lasting between 2 to 8 days. And although everyone is different, if your hormones are in balance, your period will likely fall in this range.

If you are suffering from irregular periods due to a hormonal imbalance, you may have a longer interval between your periods, you may bleed more or less each time, and the duration may vary greatly between cycles.

#2. Weight Loss or Gain

One of the many unpleasant symptoms of hormonal imbalances is weight gain or difficulty in losing weight. This may be due to PCOS, where your body produces extra levels of androgens that cause insulin resistance, or there could be an issue with your thyroid which can result in weight gain and rapid weight loss.

#3. Sleep Interruptions

If you are having problems falling and staying asleep, it can be a sign of a hormonal imbalance. If your progesterone levels have dropped dramatically, it can be hard to get a decent night’s sleep. Low estrogen levels can produce night sweats and hot flashes that make it hard to sleep too.

If you sleep well but always feel tired, your body may not be producing enough thyroid hormone, or your progesterone levels might be too high.

#4. Low Libido

Hormonal imbalances can cause a loss of sex drive in both men and women. Though low libido is most experienced during perimenopause, menopause, and andropause, between the ages of 40 and 55, hormone-related low libido can occur at younger ages as well.

Imbalances in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone can lead to a reduction in sex drive in women. Low testosterone can result in reduced sex drive and erectile dysfunction in men.

#5. Mental Health Issues

Feeling down, depressed, or experiencing abnormal mood swings can be an indication of a hormonal imbalance as well. Estrogen impacts neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain. Fluctuations in progesterone can cause anxiety.

Several other hormones can influence your mental health as well, so if you are feeling down or anxious, it is worth looking into your hormone levels.

#6. Fatigue

While fatigue can be caused by a disruption in sleep patterns, exercise, or food, hormonal changes in the brain can affect your thyroid and cause you to feel tired all the time.

Fatigue also can result from depression, which can also be caused by a hormonal imbalance.

#7. Digestion Problems

Many things can cause digestive issues, but because the stomach is lined with microscopic cells that respond to progesterone and estrogen, fluctuations in hormones can affect digestive functions.

A doctor will be able to determine what is causing your digestive problems, and if they find a relationship to your hormone levels, they can suggest a hormone treatment to help you feel better.

#8. Persistent Acne

While breakouts are common during menstruation, persistent or severe acne might indicate a hormonal imbalance. Due to high amounts of androgens, our oil glands can work overtime causing the skin to become oilier and cause severe acne and blocked pores.

Hormonal Replacement Therapy

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, come visit our clinic at Impact Medical Clearwater for a consultation with our hormone replacement therapy doctors. We can determine if a hormone imbalance is causing your issues and recommend a hormone replacement treatment plan so you can start feeling yourself again.

Better wellbeing starts here. Call Impact Medical Clearwater for a hormone replacement therapy consultation today; (727) 292-0200.

5 At-Home Remedies We Don’t Recommend for Back Pain

Suffering from back pain can be debilitating, and you might be considering asking someone to walk on your back for some relief. Before turning to this home remedy, you might want to ask yourself if this will solve your problem or cause more pain down the road.

Keep scrolling to learn five home remedies that our chiropractic team at Impact Medical Zephyrhills would NOT recommend alleviating your back pain.

Don’t Try These 5 Home Remedies for Back Pain

We know how bad back pain can get but think twice before you try one of these home remedies!

#1. Cracking

As we move throughout the day, normal movements cause our bones to stretch apart. When this happens, the space between the points where your mobile bones come together—the synovial joints—widens. Air bubbles form in the synovial fluid found within the joint cavity as these spaces widen. As a result, when you forcefully stretch your bones or “crack” them, the bubbles of air burst and release nitrogen and dioxide.

However, you aren’t actually “cracking” anything. You are simply popping the bubbles that have formed in your joints in areas like the neck vertebrae, fingers, and knees.

The issue with “cracking” your joints is that our joints aren’t meant to be repeatedly stretched in this way. When they are constantly stretched or cracked, they gradually lose their stability. This can lead to dislocated fingers, chronic back pain, and even sciatica.

Yes, that satisfying cracking sound could contribute to your back pain. Does it still seem worth it?

#2. Walking on Someone’s Back

Though used since ancient times in India and Japan, the back walking process can exacerbate your back pain.

The excess movement on your joints as someone walks on your back forces your muscles to work overtime to help keep them stable. Like attempting to crack your own back with a chair, your muscles will feel tighter than before, and you might think that you need someone to walk on your back again to crack it. This can become a cycle of pain because while attempting to alleviate back pain, your muscles become even tenser, leading to stress on your joints which is quite detrimental to your spine’s health.

#3. Cracking Your Back with a Chair

If you have been to the chiropractor, you know that they often crack your neck and back while they perform an alignment. They do this to alleviate pain caused by subluxations in the neck and spine. 

Many individuals believe that they can get the same effect at home and try to crack their back using a chair. However, when you crack your back in this way, you are forcing your joints and vertebrae out of their normal range of mobility.

Please don’t try to crack your back with a chair. You just can’t crack all the bones in your spine the way a qualified chiropractor like ours at Impact Medical Zephyrhills can.

#4. Hanging Upside Down

Known as inversion therapy, hanging upside down has been used to stretch the back and relieve lower back pain since 3000 BC.

The idea is that by hanging upside down you are relieving the pressure on your spine due to the force of gravity pulling your vertebrae away from each other, taking pressure off your spinal discs.

What many people don’t realize is that while inversion therapy can provide temporary relief from chronic back pain, it can lead to serious injury if not done correctly. Plus, the increased blood pressure in your head can cause or exacerbate serious health complications. The last thing you want to do is end up in the E.R. because you were trying to crack your back by hanging upside down! 

#5. Bear Hugs

Many people ask a friend to help them achieve that satisfying crack of their spine. With this method, the patient crosses their arms over their chest and their friend wraps their arms around them from behind and picks them up while hugging them firmly. Don’t do this.

Though you might hear a satisfying “crack, “this doesn’t necessarily mean that you are doing your back any good. A bear hug like this can cause compressed nerves, herniated disks, and in worst cases a stroke.

Work with a Professional Chiropractor

If you are suffering from chronic back pain, working with a trained chiropractor is the best way to minimize your risk of additional injuries or complications. We strongly recommend that you avoid relying on at-home back pain remedies and call our team at Impact Medical Zephyrhills instead!

Schedule a chiropractic consultation with our professionals at Impact Medical Zephyrhills today; (813) 706-5156!