Obesity is a health crisis in Illinois. Across our state, the number of overweight and obese individuals is rapidly increasing. In fact, more than 61% of the population of Illinois is overweight or obese. Not only is obesity the second most common cause of preventable death in the United States, but it can also foster comorbidities—that is, life-threatening illnesses related to obesity—such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and Type 2 Diabetes.

Unsurprisingly, Illinois also spends a fortune each year – some $3.5 billion – on expenses attributable to the obesity epidemic.

It’s obvious that something must be done to stop the epidemic of obesity in our state.

Getting Fit

Weight loss itself is a no great problem: by cutting a person’s daily caloric intake below the number of calories their body needs to maintain life, weight loss can be easily effected. The difficulty comes in conquering the primal urge to eat when hungry.

Obesity is not simply a matter of weight, nor is it a character flaw. It is a disease caused by a disordered relationship with food. For some, the pleasure of eating is a substitute for emotional satisfaction. Others are food addicts, who battle an overwhelming urge to eat even when they aren’t hungry. Sadly, the pain of obesity often leads those with the disease to attempt self-treatment, including fad diets, exercise programs, or gimmicks like so-called weight-loss pills. These efforts lead some to lose significant weight, but most quickly regain it. Many people suffer damage to their health as a result of such quickie “cures”.

No miracle cure for obesity exists. The only way to successfully treat the disease of obesity is through medical care, based upon a complete change in the patient’s lifestyle and eating habits. To beat obesity we must change the way we relate to food, making better food choices and eating less of it. Most of us can accomplish this through education and willpower, in some cases combined with counseling and support. For the rest, weight loss surgery is the only way to combat the disease.

About Weight Loss Surgery

Weight loss surgery works by surgically altering the patient’s stomach and/or digestive tract in order to physically limit the amount of food the patient can eat at a given time. This may be done by removing part of the stomach, or by re-routing the flow of ingested food around the areas where the calories are absorbed. In Lap-band surgery — the most widespread procedure — the stomach and bowel are not cut; only a few small incisions in the abdomen are made to allow the surgeon access to the stomach. An inflatable band is then placed around the stomach, creating a small pouch. If successful, these alterations will cause the patient to take in fewer calories each day than he or she burns, resulting in steady, safe weight loss.

But losing weight is only half the battle. Only a complete change in a patient’s lifestyle can win the war on obesity. Patients who fail to change their activity level and dietary habits may regain any weight lost via surgery.

Summing It Up

Weight loss surgery is a powerful weapon in Illinois’ fight against obesity, but it is only one weapon. To win the fight, we must be willing to change the way we live – eating better food, and less of it, and living an active lifestyle. Only by combining these weapons with our will to win can we conquer obesity and live longer, healthier lives.

Sometimes we just need a little pampering. In the day to day mull of things we tend to forget about the little details in our lives such as proper diet, exercise, sleep and even skin care. Taking the time to pamper ourselves a little though can give us a bright new perspective on an old droll subject and will leave us feeling better about ourselves which will be reflected on in the world around us.

There are many things that can cause dry, peeling, rough skin and this is not something we want. The basic human nature is to be touched. But who wants to touch alien like skin that is more akin to scales? If we wanted that we could pet a lizard or a frog for that matter. The environment around us and especially the sun is a main factor in any damage to our skin. UV rays will burn and dry out our follicles leaving us with rashes, peeling and the like. Not to mention the risk you run of developing skin cancer from too much exposure to these rays. Taking the time to apply some sun block before heading out to start your day is the perfect preventative measure. Most sun blocks not only protect against UV rays but they work as a moisturizer as well. Leaving your skin soft and smooth as a baby’s skin.

Speaking of moisturizer it would be a good idea to apply one every once and a while. That and an exfoliate. Exfoliates are used to clean away any dirt and dead skin particles left over from the days tasks and applying a moisturizer afterwards will keep your skin from getting irritated and chaffing. Women have the most trouble with chaffing because of the way their bodies curve. Applying a lotion after your shower ladies, will help to prevent any painful chaffing. Plus, what better way to attract Prince Charming then with soft supple skin.

Taking the time to care for your skin does not mean hours in front of the mirror. A little bit of pampering after each shower or before you go to bed, along with taking the time to protect your skin from the elements, is all you need to achieve optimum skin care. This goes for both men and women. Don’t be wary guys of using a little lotion or sun block, it will in no way reduce your masculinity. It will however leave you feeling comfortable in your own skin so to speak.

When talking about moisturizer, it is equally important to be aware of the things that you use like soap, washing powder and the other chemicals used in your work place. The one’s which you feel would dry your hands should be handled by using gloves. This will help a lot in maintaining the skin beauty, remember beauty doesn’t restrict in your face it is applicable in your overall appearance from hair to toe. When talking about legs, always make sure the feet is dry and is well maintained without any dirt before wearing footwear. This can help your leg look clean and fresh.

There are different interpretations of what Chinese medicine is. There are those who see it as an alternative medicine, especially when associated with acupuncture. China and Taiwan look to traditional Chinese medicine as an important part of their healthcare system. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was coined in the 1950s as a term to collectively refer to what was exported as “Chinese medicine”.

Today traditional Chinese medicine means that which entails the Chinese theories, diagnosis and treatment of individuals using traditional Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage and Qigong. Sometimes it is called Oriental medicine or East Asian medicine.

Most who practice TCM believe that the human body is in constant interaction with the environment. Those that practice TCM can diagnose, understand and treat illness and even prevent it by means of ascertaining disharmony in an individual.

TCM has a theory based on several philosophical believes including the Yin-Yang theory, the Five Elements, the Meridian system, the Zang Fu Organ theory and a few others. These theories or concepts are collectively used to come up with a diagnosis.

It is important when utilizing Chinese herbs that you do so under the guidance of a health professional. You will have questions regarding the preparation, dosage, interactions, when to change formulas, what to do if other symptoms would occur that you may not have expected.

Also learn how long to follow the herbal therapy. All of these questions are best answered by someone how really understands Chinese medicine. Knowing about Chinese medicine is more than just reading an article or book. It takes years of studying to understand not only the book knowledge, but the inner understanding about balance and other Chinese theories.

Formulas are herbal combinations that are specifically designed for an individual based on symptoms, interview and inspection. Formulas are not mass-produced but done one at a time for a specific individual. Formulas are not available in stores or on the Internet. Those practicing Chinese medicine will prescribe a formula that the patient can take to a herbal shop in order to have the formula prepared.

It is recommended that you find a local practitioner to aid you in consultations and treatments instead of traveling great distances to have one consultation with a Chinese practice of notoriety.

Chinese medicine is not an exact science. Treatment varies and has many factors including herbs to be used, dosage, the duration of the treatment and any additional treatment such as acupuncture.

Chinese medicine like many clinics for Western medicine has a way for low-income patients to receive care. Colleges of traditional Chinese medicine offer discounted services because students are there to learn from experience treating patients. Other practitioners often times will offer low cost or sliding scale fees to assist those with lower income to pay for traditional Chinese medicinal care.

Going the distance for care in China:

There are those who desire Chinese medicine and are willing to receive it from those actually practicing in China. There are many obstacles such as the language barrier, travel arrangements, the availability of hotel rooms and the ability of Chinese hospitals to accommodate foreign patients. Certain clinics in China are set up to treat specific diseases and may offer to provide foreign patients with long distance consultations where the patient sends the clinic his/her medical information and the clinic will design and ship the proper herbs for a fee.