Medical Complications of Obesity:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Osteoarthritis
• High blood cholesterol
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (severe heartburn, also called GERD)
• Back pain
• Increased risk for heart disease

Benefits of Regular Exercise

• Improved cardiovascular fitness
• Decreased risk of developing diabetes
• Lower blood pressure
• Better control of high blood pressure or diabetes for those who already have it
• Beneficial effects on osteoarthritis, back pain and depression
• Stress reduction
• Improved mood and energy levels
• Weight loss

Bariatric Surgery

For morbid obesity (extreme overweight), an operation to restrict the size of the stomach may be recommended. This is called bariatric surgery and may be offered as a treatment for extremely obese persons or obese individuals with medical complications of obesity. Bariatric operations are major surgery and have risks as well as possible benefits.

For More Information Please Visit:

• American Dietetic Association
  www.eatright.org
  
  
• American Obesity Organization
  www.obesity.org
  
  
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Body Mass Index Web Calculator
  www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/calc-bmi.htm

Schedule Regular Checkups

Regular checkups and exams with your family doctor, physician, or health care provider can help find problems before they start. Finding problems early greatly improves the chances for treatment and cures. At Bestcare Family Medical Center in Garland Texas we provide your whole family with the best family care, urgent care, and emergency care available. Our medical center is located in Garland Tx, and we also serve Dallas, Mesquite, Richardson, Rowlett, Rockwall, Wylie, Sachse and surrounding communities.

Call BestCare at 972-240-1789 to schedule an appointment today.

Heart disease is often avoidable. Following a heart-healthy lifestyle doesn't have to be complicated. Find ways to include heart-healthy habits into your lifestyle — and you may well enjoy a healthier life for years to come.

For Men:

Heart disease is the number one killer, but that doesn't mean you can't do anything about it. "Doing something about it" is a strategy that is proven to work. Take action to avoid heart disease — avoid smoking, get regular exercise and eat healthy. Adopt a healthy lifestyle today to avoid heart problems in the future:

Chemicals in every puff?

Concerning heart disease prevention, no amount of smoking is safe. Even smokeless tobacco and low-tar and low-nicotine cigarettes are risky, as is exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoking or using tobacco products is one of the most significant risk factors for developing heart disease. And it's no wonder why: tobacco smoke contains more than 4,800 chemicals! Many of these can damage your heart and blood vessels, making them more vulnerable to narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis can ultimately lead to a heart attack.

Moreover, the nicotine in cigarette smoke means extra work for your heart since it causes blood vessels to narrow and increases heart rate and blood pressure. Carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke replaces oxygen in the blood. This also increases your blood pressure by forcing your heart to work harder to supply enough oxygen. Even so-called "social smoking" — only smoking while at a bar or restaurant with friends — is dangerous and increases the risk of heart disease. Don't do it.

These smoke clouds do have a silver lining -- when you quit, your risk of heart disease drops dramatically within just one year. Regardless of how many years and how many packs a day you have smoked, you will begin to reap significant rewards immediately.

Make fitness a top priority

Regular exercise can reduce your risk of heart disease. And by combining physical activity with maintaining healthy weight, etc., the payoff increases exponentially. Physical activity improves self image and morale, helps you control your weight and can reduce your chances of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. It also reduces stress, another factor in heart disease.

Doctors recommend at least 30 to 60 minutes of moderately intense physical activity most days of the week. That can include exercise in a gym, yard work, taking the stairs, housekeeping, washing the car or even walking the dog. Any kind of physical activity offers heart benefits, so do as much as you can. Surprisingly, you'll get the same benefit even if you break your workout into 10-minute sessions. You don't have to exercise strenuously to achieve benefits, but you can see bigger benefits by increasing the intensity, duration and frequency of your physical exertion.

Eat right, drink right

Help protect your heart by eating foods low in fat, cholesterol and salt. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products help protect your heart. Legumes, low-fat sources of protein and certain types of fish also can reduce your risk of heart disease. Most people should add more fruits and vegetables to their diet — with a goal of five to 10 servings a day. Eating fruits and vegetables helps prevent heart disease and cancer, too.

Limiting certain fats is also key. There are four kinds of fat — saturated, polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and trans fat. Saturated fat and trans fat increase the risk of coronary artery disease by raising cholesterol levels in your blood. Sources of saturated fat include beef, butter, cheese, milk, and coconut and palm oils. Trans fat may be worse than saturated fat because it both raises your low-density lipoprotein (LDL -- or "bad" cholesterol) and lowers your high-density lipoprotein (HDL -- or "good" cholesterol). So stay away from deep-fried fast foods, bakery products, packaged snack foods, margarines and crackers. Watch for the term "partially hydrogenated" on the label to avoid trans fat. Omega-3 fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fat, may decrease your risk of heart attack, protect against irregular heartbeats and lower blood pressure. Some fish are a good natural source of omega-3s as are flaxseed oil, walnut oil, soybean oil, canola oil. However, pregnant women and women of childbearing age should avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish because they can contain levels of mercury high enough to pose a danger to a developing fetus. For others, the health benefits of fish outweigh the risks.

Drink alcohol only in moderation — no more than 1-2 drinks a day for men, 1 per day for women — to protect your heart.

Take responsibility for your weight

Even small reductions in weight can be beneficial. Reducing your weight by just 10 percent can decrease your blood pressure, lower your blood cholesterol level and reduce your risk of diabetes.

With adults, weight gain is mostly fat rather than muscle. This excess weight can lead to conditions that increase your chances of heart disease — high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Calculating your body mass index (BMI) is a good way to find out if your percentage of body fat is healthy or unhealthy. BMI numbers 25 and higher mean higher blood fats, higher blood pressure, and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. However calculating BMI is not a perfect method. Muscle weighs more than fat, for instance, and women and men who are very muscular and physically fit can have high BMIs without added health risks. Because of that, waist circumference is also a useful tool to measure how much abdominal fat you have. In general, men are considered overweight if their waist measurement is greater than 40 inches (101.6 centimeters, or cm). And women, in general, are overweight if their waist measurement is greater than 35 inches (88.9 cm).

Make your doctor a partner in health

High blood pressure and high cholesterol can damage heart and blood vessels. Yet without testing, you won't know if you have these conditions. Know your numbers and whether you need make changes to your lifestyle.

• Blood pressure. Today, regular blood pressure screenings start in childhood. Adults should have their blood pressure checked at least every two years. You may need more frequent checks if your numbers need work or if you have other risk factors for heart disease. Optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 millimeters of mercury.
• Cholesterol levels. Adults should have their cholesterol measured at least once every five years. You may need more frequent testing if your numbers warrant it or if you have risk factors for heart disease. Even some children may need their blood cholesterol tested if they have a strong family history of heart disease.

For Women:

Many women are not aware of their risk of heart disease. In the United States, it is the leading cause of death of women. Each year, more than 300,000 women die from heart disease. This compares to about 40,000 deaths from breast cancer. Heart disease is as much a threat to women as it is to men. Women should be aware of their risks for developing heart disease so they can take steps to reduce them.

Your Heart


Heart Disease


Who Is At Risk?


Certain factors increase a person’s risk of heart disease. Some of these risk factors, such as age, cannot be changed. Other factors, such as one’s cholesterol levels, can be changed. Women who smoke and take birth control pills are at greater risk of having a heart attack or stroke than are those who don't do either. Worse, this risk increases with age, especially over 35.

As mentioned above, women, in general, are overweight and thus more at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 35 inches (88.9 cm).

A woman’s risk of heart disease is higher if she:

• Is aged 55 years or older 

• Has a family history of heart disease or heart attack 

• Has a high total cholesterol or high LDL level 

• Has high blood pressure 

• Smokes cigarettes 

• Does not exercise regularly
• 
Is obese 

• Has diabetes



What You Can Do

• Lower Your Blood Pressure 

• Watch Your Cholesterol
• 
Stop Smoking 

• Stay Physically Active 

• Control Your Weight 

• Manage Your Diabetes 



Schedule Regular Checkups

Regular checkups and exams with your family doctor, physician, or health care provider can help find problems before they start. Finding problems early greatly improves the chances for treatment and cures. At Bestcare Family Medical Center in Garland Texas we're committed to providing your family with the best family care, urgent care, and emergency care available. Our medical center is located in Garland Tx, and we also serve Dallas, Mesquite, Richardson, Rowlett, Rockwall, Wylie, Sachse and surrounding communities.

Call BestCare at 972-240-1789 to schedule an appointment today.

Quit Smoking! Quitting is hard but you can do it. Many people try several times before they quit for good. But they do succeed. This article tells you about ways you can quit.

Good Reasons for Quitting

You will feel better

• You will have more energy and breathe easier
• Your chances of getting sick will decrease

Smoking is dangerous

• More than 435,000 Americans die each year from smoking
• Smoking causes illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, problems with pregnancy, and lung disease

More Good Reasons for Quitting

If you are pregnant, your baby will be healthier

• Your baby will get more oxygen

The people around you, especially children, will be healthier

• Breathing in other people's smoke can cause asthma and other health problems

You will have more money. If you smoke one pack per day, quitting smoking could save you up to $150 a month -- that's $1,800 a year!

Savings Per Month

If you smoke
 1 pack per day
You pay $5.00 per day
Quitting saves 
$150 per month or $1,800 per year

If you smoke
 2 packs per day
You pay $10.00 per day
Quitting saves 
$300 per month or $3,600 per year

If you smoke
 3 packs per day
You pay $15.00 per day
Quitting saves 
$450 per month or $5,400 per year

There Has Never Been A Better Time to Quit

A combination of strategies works best. Set a quit date. Get support. Take medicine.

Get Ready
 + Get Help
 + Get Medicine
 = Stay Quit!

Get Ready

Set a quit date: "No smoking after _____________________"

Change the things around you

• Get rid of all cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car, and place of work.
• Do not let people smoke in your home.

After you quit, don't smoke—not even a puff! Don't use any tobacco!

Get Medicine

You can buy nicotine gum, the nicotine patch, or the nicotine lozenge at a drug store.
You can ask your pharmacist for more information.
Ask your doctor about other medicines that can help you.

• Nicotine nasal spray
• Nicotine inhaler
• Bupropion SR (pill)
• Varenicline (pill)

Most health insurance will pay for these medicines.

Get Help

Tell your family, friends, and people you work with that you are going to quit. Ask for their support.
Talk to your doctor, nurse, or other health care worker. They can help you quit.
Call 1-800-QUIT NOW (784-8669) to be connected to the quitline in your State.
It's free. They will set up a quit plan with you.

Stay Quit

If you "slip" and smoke or chew tobacco, don't give up. Try again soon. Set a new quit date to get back on track.
Avoid alcohol.
Avoid being around smoking.
Eat healthy food and get exercise.
Keep a positive attitude. You can do it!

You Can Quit

Most people try several times before they quit for good. Quitting is hard, but — You Can Quit

BestCare Family Medical Center Can Help You Quit Smoking

If you're a smoker and want to stop smoking... BestCare Family Medical Center can assist you. Our medical practice is located in Garland Tx, we also serve Dallas, Mesquite, Richardson, Rowlett, Rockwall, Wylie, Sachse and surrounding communities. Call BestCare at 972-240-1789 to schedule an appointment today.

The signs and symptoms of infection that are listed here should be brought to your doctor's attention. Of course, whenever your child has a symptom that concerns you, you should not hesitate to call your doctor, whether or not the symptom appears on this list. 
Although some symptoms of illness differ depending on a child's age, some are the same for all children.

For any child, infant to adolescent, call your doctor if you observe any of the following:

• High fever (The level of fever that is considered significant depends on the age of the child, the illness, and whether the child has other symptoms with the fever)
• Chills that make the child shake all over
• Loss of consciousness
• Extreme sleepiness or unexplained lethargy
• Unusual excitement or hysterical crying
• Sudden weakness or paralysis of any part of the body
• Seizures (convulsions) or uncontrollable shaking of an arm or leg
• Severe headache
• Pain, heaviness, or stuffiness around the nose, eyes, or forehead
• Nasal fluid that is discolored, bad-smelling, or bloody
• Sudden hearing loss
• Earache
• Fluid discharge from the ear
• Sudden decrease in vision
• Eyes that are red, swollen, and watery, with or without blurred vision
• Eyes that are extremely sensitive to light, especially if your child also has a fever, headache, or stiff neck
• A yellow color in the whites of the eyes or in the skin, especially with pain in the abdomen and/or dark or tea-colored urine
• Stiffness or pain in the neck, especially with fever or headache
• Severe sore throat, especially with trouble swallowing or speaking
• Uncontrolled drooling because of painful swallowing
• Difficulty breathing, especially with pale or bluish color of the lips or nails
• Unusually rapid breathing
• Severe or persistent cough, especially if it brings up bloody or discolored mucus
• Vomiting for 12 hours or more
• Vomiting of blood
• Intense or unusual abdominal pain
• Swollen or abnormally large abdomen
• Diarrhea that is streaked with blood or mucus
• Pain in the middle of the back, especially with fever or with discomfort while urinating
• Painful or unusually frequent urination
• Urine that is discolored, bloody, cloudy, or has an unusual smell
• Discharge from the penis
• Vaginal discharge that is thick and white, brown or discolored, or smells bad
• Pain, redness, or swelling of a joint that can't be explained by exercise or injury
• A cut or scrape that oozes pus or becomes hot, red, tender, or swollen
• A sudden rash, or sudden crop of blotches or blisters, especially over a large area of the body 



Special Signs and Symptoms - birth to 1 month old

• Fever (rectal temperature of 100.4ºF should prompt a call to the doctor)
• Baby suddenly becomes "floppy" - loses muscle tone all over
• One or both eyes are pink, bloodshot, have a sticky white discharge, or eyelashes that stick together
• Diarrhea in newborns - more than six to eight watery stools per day (breast-fed newborns often have more loose stools than formula-fed babies; check with your doctor for guidance)
• Redness or tenderness around the navel area
• White patches in the mouth 

Nose blocked by mucus so baby can't breathe while feeding
• Forceful vomiting
• Vomiting that lasts for 12 hours or more
• Vomiting with fever and/or diarrhea
• Baby stops feeding normally
• Crying for an abnormally long time



Special Signs and Symptoms - 1 month to 1 year

• Fever (rectal temperature 100.4ºF in infants younger than 3 months, 101ºF in infants ages 3 to 6 months, and 104ºF in a child 6 months or older should prompt a call to the doctor)
• Baby refuses to eat and misses several feedings
• Baby is unusually cranky and irritable or unusually sleepy

Professional Health Care is Essential

• Getting regular check-ups for your children ensures that they'll stay healthy and happy! Your family doctor or family physician can help. Bestcare Family Medical Center in Garland Texas is committed to providing your whole family with the best medical care and urgent care. We're easy to find... our medical offices are located in Garland Tx. We also serve Dallas, Mesquite, Richardson, Rowlett, Rockwall, Wylie, Sachse and surrounding communities. Call BestCare at 972-240-1789 to schedule an appointment today...we also accept walk-ins.