#conditions causing weight loss and nutrition

[diabetesreversalprograminindia]

Which is Better for Weight Loss: Nutrition or Exercise?

This article is originally published on Freedom from Diabetes website, available here. Weight loss is a complex journey aimed at achieving a healthier lifestyle by reducing excess body fat to reach a specific weight or body composition. People embark on this journey for various reasons, such as improving overall health, boosting self-esteem, or addressing medical issues.

Let's discuss and understand the respective roles of these two factors in the process of shedding excess pounds: Nutrition:

Calorie Control: Generally weight loss depends on burning more calories than you consume. Nutrition is the key, as adjusting your diet makes it easier to control calorie intake.

Quality Matters: Diet should be proper. Eating nutrient base foods that provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber not only supports weight loss but also promotes overall health.

Portion Control: Being mindful of portion sizes can prevent overeating, a common cause of weight gain. A balanced diet with controlled portions can help maintain a calorie deficit.

Sustainable Changes: Crash diets or extreme restrictions are often short-lived and may result in weight regain.

Hormonal Balance: Certain foods can influence hormones related to hunger and satiety, making it easier to control cravings and avoid overeating.

Now to talk about Exercise for weight managment:

Calorie Expenditure: Physical activity helps you burn calories, contributing to the calorie deficit required for weight loss. Regular exercise can increase your daily energy expenditure.

Metabolism Boost: Muscle burns more calories at rest than fat. Strength training and cardio can build muscle and boost your metabolism.

Health Benefits: Exercise improved cardiovascular health, increased insulin sensitivity, and reduced stress. These benefits can indirectly support weight loss and overall well-being.

For weight loss, combining diet and exercise works best. Diet helps you lose weight initially by controlling calories, while exercise is key for keeping the weight off and staying healthy. To read more about this, please visit our Article. Also please connect with me on my website, Facebook page, and YouTube if you want to stay in touch or give me any feedback!

[diabetes-health-corner]

Is nutrition better than exercise for weight loss?

The ongoing discussion about whether nutrition or exercise holds more significance in the context of weight loss is a frequently debated topic. Let's dissect and understand the respective roles of these two factors in the process of shedding excess pounds…

Read more: https://www.freedomfromdiabetes.org/blog/post/is-nutrition-better-than-exercise-for-weight-loss/3555

[drdemonprince]

if sex is no big deal and just a normal thing like having dinner with someone, how do you square that with the belief that children can't consent to sex? Like idk this whole thing of "sex is a normal act like any other and we shouldn't treat it differently" makes me soo uncomfortable because i feel like it's really obviously not in a lot of situations? Otherwise what's the difference between being told by my boss to have lunch with one of our prospective clients being told by my boss to blow one of our prospective clients? :/

let's take your dinner example to its logical conclusion, because you are on to something here, but I don't think quite in the way that you think.

children are forced to eat food that they this really dislike (due to sensory issues, allergies, or just run of the mill unfamiliarity) quite regularly by their caregivers. they are also sometimes denied the right to eat because they didn't behave the way their caretakers liked, and sent to bed hungry, or barred from eating food that they can handle, and instead left to go hungry because they won't eat food they can't handle.

treatment like this causes a lot of food issues and trauma to children. It exacerbates eating disorders and erodes a child's sense of their own body autonomy. It can also cause children to have nutritional issues and a scarcity mentality around food that can be really damaging to them.

similarly, people are forced to share meals with people who they are viscerally uncomfortable around all the time too, often to extreme negative effects. employees are forced to sit down with clients who debase them or harass them. Young people in particular are forced into sharing tables with relatives who have crossed their boundaries, insulted them, abused them, bullied them, and whom they want nothing to do with. people in recovery from eating disorders are surrounded by co-workers, family members, or friends at meal times who speak about calories and weight loss and comment on their own bodies and other people's bodies in incredibly invasive and triggering ways that often make them feel way worse, and make taking care of their own bodies far more difficult.

when a powerful institution wants to exert control over other people, they also often do so using food. prisoners are given almost no control over the kind of food they eat, and are often given very low quality food that is in a disgusting condition, or that violates their own nutritional requirements or religious beliefs. patients in hospitals and in mental institutions are also subjected to such treatment, and people in poverty are expected to eat anything that they are given without complaint. It is an extension of their dehumanization to control and limit the kinds of food they're allowed to access, and how and when they are permitted to eat.

each of these experiences surrounding food can be incredibly violating and harmful. food is quite frequently a tool of control and abuse. yet it is not because there is some magical quality to food or to dinners that make them uniquely fraught with the potential for trauma. these experiences are traumatic because they involve a violation of a person's body autonomy, and a lack of social power.

sex isn't any different from dinner. we just have a series of cultural beliefs surrounding it that make the pressure involving sex something that's both a lot more acknowledged, and mostly encountered in the private realm.

Sex is treated as an almost magical thing, at once both sinister and sacrosanct, and so people are primed to see the potential for harm in it, and it is frequently used as a tool for harming people because it is so loaded, but that doesn't mean there aren't abuses involving every other mundane human activity that we simply are conditioned to ignore because doing so is so normal.

People's body autonomy surrounding food is violated traumatically all the fucking time. unfortunately because we consider dinner to be a neutral activity and sex to be this incredibly fraught and almost magical one, we ignore the massive amounts of coercion, pressure, and violation surrounding food.

your boss shouldn't be able to force you to get dinner with someone. and people are uncomfortable with discussions about body autonomy that neutralize sex, because it forces them to confront how little freedom we actually have in every facet of our lives.

[iatrophilosophos]

Hey I'm hearing uh. More, and more, and more buzz about GLP-1 agonists like ozempic from random ppl and healthcare providers alike and there's like a terrifying lack of lucidity abt it so I just wanna say, if you've heard some stuff and are curious:

Ozempic is a chemically-aided crash diet. That's it.

Like metformin, an older diabetes medication used off-label for weight loss, it's functioning as an appetite suppressant in this use-case. It's not magic; it's not changing how your body makes or uses fat; it just makes it less miserable to eat less. It is contraindicated by histories of disordered eating and should absolutely not be prescribed without a full screening for above-adequate food intake and nutrition *and* ongoing screening for adequate nourishment/malnutrition: this is broadly not happening.

I've also seen no indication that ozempic/GLP-1 agonists are any less likely to lead to weight cycling (w/o constant use) than a straight crash diet, or do anything meaningful to limit the known, significant health risks of weight cycling.

Nothing has changed:

The main things we know from a western scientific perspective about weight and weight loss are that 1) almost all people who lose significant weight gain it back and 2) weight cycling causes cardiovascular and metabolic health complications. Yall we aint even have strong evidence to suggest that weight loss is beneficial to health conditions associated with higher weights. This *should* point to Dr's never ever reccomending weight loss (we do know it can hurt, don't know it can help) but yknow we live in uhhhh fucking world.

We are possibly ripe for an aggressive intensification of anti-fat medical rhetoric, especially in pediatrics

Among the projections for an RFK FDA that ive gotten from folks i know in these fields is a renewed focus on childhood obseity and general military-style fitness. As the ozempic fad has already been ramping up, I'm kinda! concerned! about this being a major point of focus for the oncoming administration--i figure we're ripe for another mass diet craze associated with a wide variety of deaths anyway and that existing cultural+market inertia added to it being literally on the agenda spells some not great things. I really seriously reccomend paying extra attention to this area.

Clinics love ozempic because it's extremely popular and extremely profitable--i even know someone who's job was threatened for refusing to prescribe it. We already know that we cant trust doctors to be informed around weight or for the system to sound public alarms.

Obviously, people have the right to do whatever they want--but the disclosure just isn't there and people are being sold this stuff based on the idea it'll make them *healthier* and prevent disease. It can't and it won't.

If the claims here about weight in general are new to you, start here: (Don't love the title of the article, second the exasperation)

If you want to understand more about glp-1 agonists specifically, like, start with the Wikipedia article and do some googling it lays out the pharmacology in relatively plain language. Sry i ain't doing a buncha work to find citations ppl won't click; there's not a lot of good critical stuff out there that's actually published but it doesn't actually take a lot of reading up on critical weight science to form a critical take on the sources singing ozempics praises.

Peace, good luck, do whatever you want forever, maybe tell ur mom that this isn't any different from the disastrous weight loss fads of the 90s.

[girlactionfigure]

The @IsraelMOH will submit a report to the UN detailing the abuse endured by survivors of Hamas captivity. 

Read this thread. Share this thread. The world must know just how evil these Hamas psychopaths are.

1���⃣ Women, men & children who returned reported that they endured severe physical & sexual abuse such as beatings, isolation, deprivation of food and water, branding, hair-pulling & sexual assault.

Some reported that the captors sexually assaulted them or forced them to undress.

2️⃣ 

The hostages were denied medical treatment for injuries caused on and after October 7, and untreated chronic conditions. Fractures, shrapnel wounds, and burns were treated inadequately, leading to preventable complications which required additional surgeries.

3️⃣ 

The captors tortured those injured by performing painful procedures without anesthesia.

4️⃣ 

Many hostages suffered from untreated chronic conditions leading to severe medical deterioration, such as low blood pressure, bradycardia & hypothermia. 

1 hostage died from untreated complications. Several women required urgent treatment due to hypertension & hypothyroidism

5️⃣ 

Half the hostages were deliberately starved. Poor diets led to extreme hunger. They were kept in dark spaces, causing vitamin D deficiency. The average weight loss was 8-15 kg (10-17% of weight). Children lost an average of 10%. In one case a girl lost 18% of her body weight.

6️⃣ 

Poor nutrition may lead to Sarcopenia, delayed wound and fracture recovery, and a weakened immune system. Malnutrition also negatively impacted cognitive function and mental health, and as for children, it may hinder development and growth.

7️⃣ 

The captors attempted to improve some of the hostages' appearance and weight before their release exposing them to Refeeding Syndrome and electrolyte imbalances such as hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypophosphatemia, particularly among elderly hostages.

8️⃣ 

In cases with complex medical backgrounds, these electrolyte disorders can be life­threatening. Additionally, the hostages were denied essential medications and treatment for their injuries, leading to the risk of widespread metabolic disorders.

9️⃣ 

The poor quality of food & water and unsanitary conditions, led to increased morbidity among the hostages. Many suffered from diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sometimes constipation. They had limited access to showers and returned with skin infections, including Dermatitis.

1️⃣0️⃣ 

Infections were detected in hospital cultures (Clostridium, Salmonella, Vibrio, Shigella, Giardia, E. coli). 

2 hostages suffered from acute case of Q fever. Some women developed Deep Venous Thrombosis due to no access to medication & lack of mobility during captivity.

1️⃣1️⃣

The abduction of children, women, men, and the elderly from their homes is a traumatic event, often occurring after the murder of family members or close friends. In some cases, children were taken without their parents or after their parents' murder.

1️⃣2️⃣

Hostages witnessed their homes burned and looted as well as their community members raped. 

The captives were taken to Gaza in open vehicles alongside bodies of those murdered. They endured beatings, humiliation, and verbal, physical, and sexual violence.

1️⃣3️⃣

The captivity was designed to torture the hostages psychologically. During their time in captivity they endured family separation, immobilization, arbitrary, frequent transfers & exposure to further violence. Some witnessed the killing of other captives.

1️⃣4️⃣

In captivity, the hostages were often subjected to solitary confinement, poor sanitation, severe medical neglect, lack of sleep, starvation, sexual abuse, violence, threats, and brainwashing through media designed to break their spirit and make them submissive.

1️⃣5️⃣

Medical and psychosocial teams report sharp mood swings, with some showing signs of hypomania upon return, followed by extreme depression. Even those who appeared strong initially showed difficulties adjusting to reality, sometimes experiencing dissociative episodes.

1️⃣6️⃣

Some returned hostages had paranoid anxieties, fearing retaliation against their loved ones still in captivity if they spoke about their experiences. The inability to share their trauma with therapeutic factors, which made it harder to process their trauma.

1️⃣7️⃣

The returned hostages have been experiencing "survivor's guilt" feeling responsible for being rescued while their loved ones remain in Gaza. Some wish to return to captivity to help those left behind and cannot be rehabilitated as long as their loved ones are still there.

1️⃣8️⃣

Many experience fear, restlessness, emotional detachment & confusion. Some afraid to leave rooms, even in the hospital's protected areas. They couldn't let go of behaviors from captivity - not eating, neglecting hygiene, hoarding food out of fear they would not have enough.

1️⃣9️⃣

They reported severe nightmares & sleep deprivation. Some experienced derealization struggling to accept their presence in the Israeli hospital as real rather than a dream from captivity. Avoided anything that reminded them of traumatic experiences, including certain foods.

2️⃣0️⃣

Most had no home to return to and learned upon their return of the deaths of family and friends, the destruction of their homes, and the collapse of their communities. Many found themselves without the support they once had, which has significantly hindered their recovery.

2️⃣1️⃣

Two of the children that were held together during captivity reported that they were held bound and were beaten throughout their captivity. Signs of binding, scars, and marks consistent with trauma were found.

2️⃣2️⃣

2 young children had burn marks on their lower limbs. One child stated that the burns were the result of a deliberate branding with a heated object. Both the child and adults who were with him described the incident as a purposeful branding event, not an accident.

2️⃣3️⃣

One hostage described being sexually assaulted at gunpoint by a Hamas terrorist. Captors forced women of all ages to undress while others, including the captors, watched. The captors sexually assaulted them and were tied to beds while their captors stared at them.

2️⃣4️⃣

One woman, injured during the attack, was held in a dark isolation for 30 days, bound and unable to move. She had no contact with the outside world, received an inadequate amount of food and water, and did not receive treatment for her injury. 

2️⃣5️⃣

The men endured severe physical abuse, including continuous starvation, beatings, burns with galvanized iron (branding), hair-pulling, confinement in closed rooms with a limited amount of food and water, being held in isolation with hands and feet tied, and being denied access to the bathroom, which forced them to defecate on themselves.

2️⃣6️⃣

These are the testimonies of those who were captive for 2 months. There are still living hostages enduring this for 450 days. 

Please share and help Bring Them Home Now. 

Ministry of Health

@TheMossadIL

[macgyvermedical]

can you talk a little about wegovy and muonjaro for weight loss?

The answer is maybe.

If it were just the drugs themselves, I'd say absolutely. But there is a surprising amount of cultural baggage associated with these medications, and I don't really know that I can do them justice.

So first, let's talk about weight. There's a fantastic book called "Fat Talk" by Virginia Sole-Smith, about being overweight or obese in an age that prioritizes thinness, and how diet culture in particular is a threat to young people. Another, called "Intuitive Eating" by Elyse Resch, discusses how calorie restriction- commonly cited as the "way" to lose weight along with exercise- only works once or twice, because our bodies get wise to it and want to hold onto fat.

Humans evolved to gain weight. Fat is how we store energy for times when we might not have enough to eat. And if "not having enough to eat" (whether because of famine or because of calorie restrictive dieting) happens repeatedly, we have evolved to change hormones and metabolism so we a) don't need as much food to stay alive and b) are primed to eat more food than we need when it is available.

Aren't human bodies cool?

In the medical world, there are a lot of things tied to weight. For example, statistically, being overweight or obese means you're more likely to have health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. It is unclear, though, if those problems are caused by the weight itself, or other dietary, activity, and behavior patterns that may also happen to contribute to the weight gain. Things like a sedentary lifestyle, frequent consumption of foods with low nutritional value, avoidance of medical care due to stigma, or even chronic calorie restrictive dieting.

Unfortunately, due to this statistical tie, there is a lot of effort made in the medical world to get patients to "lose weight at any cost" instead of recommending dietary, activity, and behavior changes for health reasons alone.

Culturally as well, we prioritize thinness as attractiveness. I remember in high school there was a poster in my health classroom that read "Ideal weight- or it might be hard to get a date!". There are lots of negative associations with people who carry more weight, including that they are lazy or stupid- things that have nothing to do with body size.

Now, that doesn't mean that there aren't things that could be benefits of losing weight. For example, joint and back pain can be improved with weight loss. But weight loss is probably not the end-all be-all cure-all it's touted to be.

Because it is really hard for most people to meet this standard of "lose weight at any cost", there has long been medications that purportedly help people lose weight. Most of these medications have been stimulants, which decrease appetite and make it more comfortable to engage in calorie restrictive dieting. They also increase energy, which can make it easier to exercise or tolerate more exercise than would otherwise be possible.

Before we talk about the drugs, I want to say- there are risks and benefits to all medications, including these! The discussion you should always have is what risks are you and your healthcare provider willing to tolerate for the potential positive outcome. Also, this is a discussion of the drugs when used for weight control. The same drugs used for diabetes are at different dosages and have potentially different risk/benefit comparisons.

Ozempic/Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro/Zepbound (tirzepatide) are both a type of medication called a GLP-1 agonist. GLP-1 agonists are also called incretin mimics, because they mimic a type of hormone (incretin) that tells the brain and body that it is full. This makes it easier to eat a small amount of high nutrition food and feel satisfied. They also work by increasing metabolism. Between the decreased consumption and the increased metabolism, weight is lost.

Over the course of a year and a half, tirzepatide causes about 15-20% average reduction in body weight with continued use. Over the course of about the same time, semaglutide causes an average of about 15% body weight reduction with continuous use. Say, for example, you weigh 100kg. A year and a half on one of these medications could get you down to 85kg.

The problem is, as soon as that drug is withdrawn, the body realizes it was starving, and tries to compensate. These drugs are good at getting rid of weight, but maintaining a new weight usually means staying on a lower dose of the drug perpetually. Most people regain all weight (and potentially more than they lost) within 5 years of stopping the drugs.

Some studies suggest that repeatedly regaining lost weight may be more detrimental to health than remaining overweight or obese when it comes to statistical risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other "weight-associated" illnesses.

The main side effects are GI-related. Most of these are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas/bloating, constipation, dizziness, and abdominal pain. More severe side effects include pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and gasteroparesis (paralysis of the stomach and part of the digestive tract).

[elvis1970s]

Fairytale, a Pointer Sisters cover, was recorded by Elvis in early 1975 and featured as an album track on Today, released in May of that year. It would remain in the live set right up to the end. This joyous version was captured in a good quality audience recording during Elvis' dinner show in Las Vegas on August 20th, 1975. He's in such great form that it's actually quite hard to believe that following the second show that night, the engagement would be abruptly cancelled (just three nights in) and Elvis would be flown back to Memphis and admitted to hospital.

United Press international (UPI) issued a syndicated report on the sudden cancellation;

“…He just got very tired and fatigued and we thought it would be best if he cut his show here short this time rather than run into complications," said Dr. Elias Ghanem, the singer's Las Vegas physician. "We can't find much wrong with him. One of the liver enzymes is elevated and what he needs is rest…”

Dr Ghanem (1939-2001) enjoyed an enviable lifestyle from his business activities and from billing a number of wealthy and undoubtedly generous Las Vegas entertainers for treatment of, amongst other things, ‘Vegas Throat’ – raspy soreness caused by a combination of the dry desert air and the air-conditioning (and passive smoking) within the hotels and casinos. He was also a proponent of the sleep diet; a regimen of weight loss that appeared to involve the patient being sedated for much of the time and consuming liquid nutrition during rare moments of consciousness. Elvis himself had availed himself of this regime on at least one occasion.

The Irish Times wrote an obituary for Dr Ghanem upon his death from renal cancer in 2001.

“…He was Elvis Presley's personal physician, as well as the doctor for Elvis's posthumous son-in-law Michael Jackson. Although his patient list also included Liberace, Bill Cosby, Ann-Margret, and Virginia Kelley (the mother of former President Bill Clinton), it was Ghanem's relationship with The King which first brought him under the spotlight of unwanted notoriety. When ABC's television programme '20-20' reported that he had supplied the drugs which essentially killed Presley, Dr Ghanem threatened to sue - but he never did…”

The article also noted that Ghanem had been the subject of an FBI investigation over billing, but never charged, and that Colonel Parker had a financial interest in Ghanem's clinic situated conveniently adjacent to the Las Vegas Hilton.

"...Ghanem expanded his practice to include a chain of clinics around Las Vegas, treating literally thousands of patients. He proposed innovative umbrella health-insurance schemes long before they came into vogue, and signed contracts with the Hotel and Casino Workers' Union, by far the largest group of workers in Nevada. The arrangement was obviously a profitable one for Ghanem, but union leader John Wilhelm, recalled that during a protracted six-year strike at the Frontier Casino, Ghanem treated every worker free of charge and delivered over a hundred babies for the striking workers..."

Following the cancellation, Elvis was flown back to Memphis where he was admitted to a private suite on the top floor of Baptist Memorial Hospital. His next professional engagement was back in Las Vegas in December making up for the cancelled shows.

[luvuz4life]

Daily Question Time:

Every day, I’m going to answer somebody’s question. So send me yours, and I’ll answer it for you<

Not really a question but Common Eating Disorders and Related Conditions?

Anorexia Nervosa (Anorexia) – Extreme restriction of food and calories – Intense fear of gaining weight – Often leads to being underweight and having health problems like anemia, bone loss, or heart issues

Bulimia Nervosa (Bulimia) – Binge eating followed by purging (vomiting, laxatives, over-exercising) – People with bulimia can be underweight, normal weight, or overweight – Can cause electrolyte imbalances, tooth damage, and anemia

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) – Eating large amounts of food in a short time and feeling out of control – No purging afterward – Often leads to guilt, shame, and health issues like weight gain, high blood pressure, or diabetes

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) – Extreme pickiness or fear around eating (like choking or certain textures) – Not always related to body image – Can lead to weight loss and nutritional deficiencies

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) – Doesn’t fit exactly into anorexia, bulimia, or BED categories but still serious – Examples: someone who purges without binging, or someone with all signs of anorexia but at a “normal” weight

Pica– Eating non-food items like dirt, chalk, or hair – Can be dangerous and lead to poisoning or blockages

Rumination Disorder – Repeatedly regurgitating (bringing up) food after eating, then re-chewing or spitting it out – Not due to a medical issue

Orthorexia (not officially in the DSM yet) – An obsession with eating only “clean” or “healthy” foods – Can become restrictive and interfere with health or daily life

These are just a few eating disorder–related conditions, and everyone’s experience can look different. Please don’t use this information to self-diagnose. If you’re struggling or have any concerns about your eating habits, body image, or health, it’s really important to reach out to a doctor or mental health professional. You deserve support and care.

[theivorybilledwoodpecker]

I know this is hard to read, but people need to understand what is happening to the Palestinians who are still alive...and the absolute horror of human beings that Biden and Netanyahu are.

Beginning Stages The extent, type and timeline of damage you experience depends on how much you currently weigh, whether you eat insufficient food or nothing at all, your age, medical condition and many other factors. Generally, during the beginning stages, fatigue, dizziness, dry or scaly skin, and weakness occur, along with intense hunger. Your body is responding to the lack of food, which it needs for energy, by signaling your brain to do something about it. Cognitive Function Starvation causes a decrease in mental function. Like every other part of your body, your brain needs nutrients and energy to function properly. Infants who starve might never develop proper brain function. People over the ages of 2 or 3 might experience temporary poor cognitive function, but recover once they receive nourishment. Your mood likely will change as you become preoccupied by thoughts of food. You also might feel anxious, irritable, angry, withdrawn and depressed. Middle Stages Your lack of nutrition might lead to gastrointestinal disturbances, feeling cold, hypersensitivity to noise or light, water retention and decreased libido. Your immune system won't be able to produce sufficient antibodies to fight infection, so you'll get sick more often. Your gums might swell and bleed. Metabolism decreases as your body tries to conserve as much energy as possible. Weight loss occurs as your body depletes your fat stores, then begins to burn other tissues, such as muscle. These changes are reversible with proper nutrition. Final Stages Eventually, your failure to get sufficient nutrients will lead to permanent damage. Teeth decay, and bones weaken due to insufficient calcium. Your hair will fall out. Organs begin to shut down due to the lack of energy and nutrients necessary for maintenance. Heart muscles weaken, and the end result is complete system failure, or death.

When Biden built his PR stunt pier, knowing full well it was inefficient and couldn't reach many people, his goal wasn't just to look good to anyone only paying attention on the surface...his goal was to give some people just enough food to prolong their suffering, but not enough to return them to anywhere near healthy.

[pseudowho]

Do you perhaps know a simple diet to lose weight? My weight is at 65 and my mom is telling it to the whole village, and she'd point a camera at me whenever she's on a video call with anyone. It's really starting to get to me

CW/TW: discussion of weight, food intake, diet and weight management, nutrition, mental Vs physical wellbeing, fatphobia and fat shaming below.

The problem here isn't your weight, it's your shitty mother. I know weight is considered an issue of varying proportions culturally, too, but I'm white with a very fatphobic mother and I know how you feel.

If being shamed made people thin, there wouldn't be an overweight person on the planet.

Most importantly, you should know that you are not less of a person for being overweight, whatever your stupid fucking mother says. I will insult her 'til the cows come home.

Truth be told, exempting certain medical conditions which make weight loss harder in various ways, energy in Vs energy out really is the key.

Also very importantly: what I do is not what I recommend you should do.

I personally count everything I eat, with a healthy mindset, because I have a medical condition that leaves me exceptionally prone to weight gain. I've chosen to manage my weight savagely for my long-term health, and that has taken some sacrifices.

I eat only breakfast and lunch. I don't eat dinner. I might have some crackers in the evening. Occasionally I 'break' and do eat a bit more, for my own sanity, but I'm not a binge eater. I take multivitamins and have my bloods checked regularly. Overall I eat under 1500kcal a day, and for a woman of my height and activity level, that's low.

And, as a natural glutton, who loves food, this takes a lot of fucking willpower. I simply have a happy life, and want to maximise my chances of living longer and healthier.

Overall, there are lots of ways you can burn more than you eat. You can simply eat the same food but with smaller portions sizes. You can replace certain meal items with filling, lower energy alternatives, like more vegetables and fruit. You can exercise more to 'burn' more of what you take in.

You can see if medical causes can be excluded; while it's common to have a condition that makes it harder to lose weight, there are very few that make it impossible to lose weight.

I know this isn't of much help to you. Ultimately your own self worth and your mental health are what matter most, and if you're altering yourself just to fit to someone else's standards, you will probably find yourself thinner but no happier at the end of it.

Brain first. Body later. Send your mama my way, and I'll weigh her fat attitude VS my fat attitude and see who wins, huh?

Love,

-- Haitch xxx

[foreverortho]

Cleft Lip and Palate: Cause and Care

Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common congenital facial differences, affecting approximately 1 in every 700 births worldwide.

These conditions not only impact a child’s appearance but can also influence feeding, speech, hearing, and dental health. Understanding the causes, complications, and comprehensive care for cleft lip and palate is crucial for parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers.

What are Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate?

A cleft lip is a physical split or separation in the upper lip, while a cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth.

These gaps occur when the tissues that form the lip and palate do not fuse properly during early fetal development. Sometimes, a child may have only a cleft lip, only a cleft palate, or both.

Types of Clefts

Unilateral Cleft Lip/Palate: Affects one side of the lip or palate.

Bilateral Cleft Lip/Palate: Affects both sides.

Complete Cleft: The gap extends through the lip and into the nose and/or palate.

Incomplete Cleft: The gap does not reach the nose or is only a partial opening.

Causes of Cleft Lip and Palate

The exact cause of cleft lip and palate is not fully understood. Most cases result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Here’s a breakdown of the most recognized causes and risk factors:

Genetic Factors

Family History: If a parent or sibling has had a cleft, the risk is higher for future children.

Genetic Syndromes: Over 400 syndromes, such as Pierre Robin and Waardenburg, can include clefting as a feature.

Environmental Factors

Maternal Smoking and Alcohol Use: These increase the risk of cleft formation during pregnancy.

Certain Medications: Use of anti-seizure drugs, acne medications containing isotretinoin, and methotrexate (used for cancer, arthritis, and psoriasis) during pregnancy may raise risk.

Maternal Health Conditions: Diabetes, obesity, and poor nutrition (especially lack of folic acid) are linked to higher risk.

Exposure to Chemicals or Viruses: Environmental toxins or infections during pregnancy can contribute.

Unpreventable Factors

Many cases occur without any identifiable cause or preventable risk factor, and parents should not blame themselves.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Cleft lip and palate are often diagnosed at birth or even before, through prenatal ultrasound. In some cases, especially with submucous cleft palate (where the opening is covered by the mouth lining), diagnosis may be delayed until feeding or speech difficulties arise.

Common Symptoms

Visible Gap: In the lip, palate, or both.

Feeding Difficulties: Especially with cleft palate, babies may struggle to suck or swallow, leading to poor weight gain.

Nasal Voice or Speech Issues: Air escapes through the nose during speech due to the gap in the palate.

Frequent Ear Infections: The cleft can affect the Eustachian tube, increasing the risk of infections and potential hearing loss.

Dental Problems: Misaligned, missing, or extra teeth are common5.

Complications Associated with Cleft Lip and Palate

Beyond the visible difference, cleft lip and palate can lead to several health and social challenges:

Feeding Problems: Difficulty creating suction can make breastfeeding or bottle-feeding challenging. Special bottles or feeding techniques may be needed.

Speech and Language Delays: Improper palate function can cause articulation issues or nasal-sounding speech. Speech therapy is often required.

Ear Infections and Hearing Loss: Recurrent ear infections can affect hearing, requiring monitoring and sometimes surgical intervention.

Dental and Orthodontic Issues: Misaligned teeth, missing teeth, or extra teeth can complicate oral health and require orthodontic treatment.

Psychosocial Impact: Children may face teasing, social challenges, or self-esteem issues, highlighting the need for emotional support and counseling.

Treatment and Care for Cleft Lip and Palate

The treatment for cleft lip and palate is multi-disciplinary, involving surgeons, dentists, orthodontists, speech therapists, audiologists, and psychologists. Early intervention and ongoing care are essential for optimal outcomes.

Surgical Repair

Cleft Lip Surgery

Timing: Usually performed when the baby is 3–6 months old.

Procedure: The surgeon closes the gap in the lip, often blending the scar with the natural contours of the face and improving nose shape if needed.

Recovery: Children may need arm restraints to prevent touching the surgical site, and stitches may dissolve or be removed in about a week.

Cleft Palate Surgery

Timing: Typically done between 6–18 months of age, depending on the child’s health and the extent of the cleft.

Procedure: The surgeon reconstructs the roof of the mouth, restoring separation between the mouth and nose and enabling normal speech development5.

Follow-up: Multiple surgeries may be required as the child grows, especially for more complex cases.

Additional Treatments

Speech Therapy: Essential for children with speech difficulties, often starting after palate repair.

Dental and Orthodontic Care: Regular dental check-ups, orthodontic treatment, and sometimes prosthetic devices are needed to address dental issues.

Ear Tubes: To prevent chronic ear infections and hearing loss, small tubes may be inserted into the eardrum.

Psychological Support: Counseling and support groups help children and families cope with the social and emotional aspects of cleft care.

Feeding Support

Special bottles and nipples help babies with cleft palate feed more effectively. Lactation consultants and feeding specialists provide guidance to ensure proper nutrition and growth.

Long-Term Outlook and Follow-Up

Children with cleft lip and palate typically require long-term follow-up into adolescence and sometimes adulthood. This may include:

Additional Surgeries: To improve appearance, function, or address complications as the child grows.

Continued Speech and Dental Care: Regular assessments and interventions to ensure optimal development.

Social and Emotional Support: Ongoing counseling and peer support can be invaluable for self-esteem and social integration.

Prevention and Risk Reduction

While not all cleft lip and palate cases can be prevented, some steps may reduce risk:

Prenatal Care: Regular check-ups and proper nutrition, including folic acid supplementation, are important.

Avoid Harmful Substances: Pregnant women should avoid smoking, alcohol, and unnecessary medications.

Genetic Counseling: For families with a history of clefting, genetic counseling can provide information and support.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can cleft lip and palate be detected before birth? Yes, many cases are detected during routine prenatal ultrasounds, though some subtle forms may only be found after birth.

2. Will my child need more than one surgery? Often, yes. Initial repairs are done in infancy, but additional surgeries may be needed for function or appearance as the child grows.

3. Can children with cleft lip and palate lead normal lives? With timely and comprehensive care, most children go on to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

4. Is cleft lip and palate hereditary? There is a genetic component, but many cases occur without a family history. Genetic counseling can help assess risk.

Conclusion

Cleft lip and palate are complex conditions that require a comprehensive, team-based approach for the best results. Early diagnosis, surgical repair, and ongoing support from a multidisciplinary team can help children overcome challenges related to feeding, speech, hearing, and self-esteem. While the causes are often beyond parental control, awareness, early intervention, and community support can make a significant difference in the lives of children with cleft lip and palate and their families.

If you or someone you know is affected by cleft lip or palate, consult a specialized care team for guidance and support at every stage of the journey.

[diabetes-health-corner]

Weight loss is a complex journey aimed at achieving a healthier lifestyle by reducing excess body fat to reach a specific weight or body composition. People embark on this journey for various reasons, such as improving overall health, boosting self-esteem, or addressing medical issues.

[tenpintsof-sundrop]

Hello!

I just wanted to point out to you, that in your reply to this anon,

“Skinny people can be in a fic without it being fatphobic. Get over utsealf”

you said this

“So again - you are picturing a skinny person (borderline anorexic) when writing this”

and while most of your post is extremely valid, Thai but is not. As someone who has lost people very close to me, to say that an extremely skinny person is anorexic is wrong. First of all, there are many different things that can cause someone to be extremely skinny, anorexia is just the desire to not eat to be skinny. It’s rude to assume that every skinny person is anorexic. When I had cancer, I was extremely skinny, ya get my point?. Secondly, Everyone can be anorexic, skinny people, fat people, medium sized people, etc. and

It's always wild to me when skinny people cry about being thin due to lack of health when I mock thinness, especially to me, someone who has several chronic illnesses and has an eating disorder. Like wah wah Sunny you can't mock thin people for being thin, what if they're thin because they're sick!!

Yeah and people still endlessly praised by weight loss and frowned and my weight gain no matter what health circumstances were behind it. Society still expects fat people to be 100% "healthy" in order for them to be socially acceptable, and even if someone is 10 pounds overweight, people assume that they are dying from diabetes and heart problems and endlessly mock their weight because of it, call them gross and disgusting, and claim that it's because they care about that person's "health".

More and more lately thin people are glorifying being thin through unhealthy means - if I have to see one more "bring back the coke model era" post or "here's what I eat in a day - 1200 calories, clean and no carbs" I'm gonna fucking scream.

I don't give a fuck if the way I talk about thin people isn't nice or palatable, because the way most people talk about fatness is down right deplorable and disgusting.

And for the record:

Anorexia is a word used to describe the symptom of being underweight that can be caused by any health condition. Anorexia Nervousa is the term for the eating disorder.

Common people use them interchangeably, but they're not. They are defined scientific and medical terms.

So calling someone who is dangerously thin "anorexic", even if they don't have an eating disorder, is still completely accurate. If that person's only health issue is lack of nutrition, that is still accurate.

How do I know this?

I have read dozens of books and studies about eating disorders because I fucking have one and I wanted to research the beast that lives in my house. So I have genuine knowledge to back up the things I'm saying instead of just sad personal anecdotes I use to try and invoke sympathy from people. I was also dangerously underweight at one point due to illness but nobody cared when it happened because I still had fat on my gut and I used to be a fat little girl - so they all congratulating me for "getting healthy" and losing weight even though I was puking blood from not eating anything due to my stomach acid eating away at the lining.

Because that's how fatphobia works.

And ultimately, the diet culture in our society that creates fatphobia targets thin people too when certain body types go in and out of trend, which is why I want to say "fuck it". But firstly and foremostly, my blog is a safe space for fat people.

Anyway - I'm not gonna hold back on calling skinny people out for being fatphobic just because they might be sick. I'm chronically ill and being sick doesn't give you a pass to be an asshole

[chronic-gastro-illness-culture]

was just wondering if there is any link between GI problems and developing ARFID, does anyone else suffer with it too or know anything about it?

according to the diagnostic criteria food avoidance due to fear of negative consequences (like triggering symptoms in a gastro disorder) would count

When exposed to food stimuli, individuals with ARFID may have atypical activation patterns in the insula, leading to aversive responses to certain textures, tastes, or food smells. In addition, a recent study proposed that the pathophysiology of ARFID may be associated with the following 3 neurobiological hypotheses:

Individuals with sensory sensitivity may have an intensified perception of tastes, particularly bitter and sweet, which might classify them as "supertasters" due to a biological predisposition.

A lack of interest in food observed in some with ARFID could be linked to reduced brain activity in appetite-regulating areas (eg, hypothalamus and insula), which affect hunger sensations and satiety.

For patients with ARFID stemming from fear of aversive consequences (eg, choking), an exaggerated fear response may be present, possibly triggered by overactive fear-related brain circuitry involving the amygdala and prefrontal cortex

The DSM-V outlines the following 4 criteria for diagnosing ARFID:

Criterion A: An eating or feeding disturbance linked to significant weight loss, nutritional deficiency, reliance on enteral feeding or supplements, or a notable change in psychosocial functioning is present. The possible causes for this disruption outlined in the DSM-V-TR include low appetite, sensory issues with food, and fear-related avoidance of eating.

Criterion B: The interference with eating is not due to religious or cultural factors or lack of food availability.

Criterion C: The disturbance is not attributable to other eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, as evidenced by the absence of body image concerns.

Criterion D: Other psychiatric or medical conditions are excluded as an etiology for the disturbance

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK603710/

"Individuals with ARFID may also exhibit food avoidance or restriction due to a fear of aversive consequences, such as a fear of choking, vomiting, or gastrointestinal pain. Often these individuals have experienced a food-related trauma and subsequently begin avoiding the index food to guard against another negative experience. While the avoidance reduces anxiety momentarily, it reinforces anxiety over time by preventing the opportunity for new corrective learning to occur. In our clinical experience, these individuals often have an anxious predisposition and their food avoidance generalizes beyond the index food to similar foods, then to entire food groups, and in some of the most severe cases, to avoidance of all solid foods. When fear of aversive consequences is primary, the onset is often acute."

bc arfid can cause malnutrition gastro disorders like gerd n ibs n others can develop just like other eating disorders

if u wanna send ur questions in ur r more then welcome to

[cottoncandysecretlair]

If this is such a free fucking country, why the fuck can't we apply informed consent to more things? Why the fuck do I have to beg a doctor and convince him I'm not insane just to get a medication that has a chance at helping me?

Like. I have PCOS. Spironolactone is prescribed for PCOS symptoms caused by androgens, like hair loss, hirsutism, and acne. I have PCOS and I have those symptoms. So why the fuck do I have to debate my doctor into offering it because "Oh but have you tried to lose weight? Here's nutrition guidelines, ask me again in a few months."

Like yeah. Medications have fucking risks. The estrogen in my fucking birth control puts me at a higher risk of stroke and raises my blood pressure, but going on the med that can balance my hormones and lower my blood pressure? Oooooh we gotta think about that.

And what about diagnostic shit too! Not even just medicines! Like yeah I get that you can't give an exploratory major surgery every time someone fucking asks, but why the hell can't I just walk up and just ask for an MRI scan? Or an x-ray? Fucking ultrasound? We gotta have daddy doctor's permission just to CHECK?

And what about fucking CPAP machines? My partner has sleep apnea and it's horrific to learn. You basically have to pay out of pocket for the fucking things even with insurance, but YOU HAVE TO GET A PRESCRIPTION. Okay listen. No one is going to be fucking harmed if they use a machine to help them breathe better at night, even if they don't need it like what the fuck is it gonna do that's a problem?

The claim there is "Oh but you want to be sure you get the right one because some people need extra features" and all I can think is like. Is it BETTER for someone with sleep apnea to have NOTHING AT ALL? That's like denying someone a basic rescue inhaler when there's a formulation that works better, like maybe it's best they DON'T choke.

I just. Idk. I'm not anti medical or anti science. I'm just fucking chronically ill and tired, and there's no help out there. I'm tired of having to deal with doctors making decisions that involve leaving me to suffer when I can't do anything about it.

Like. The main barrier to treatment for my longest term condition is a fucking diagnostic test. I have a muscle condition that makes it impossible for me as is, and physical therapy confirmed it was likely worsened by the pain and inflammation, and the muscle work alone wouldn't fix it.

And they could accommodate me. I've met so many people shocked that they won't, because they were accommodated. A muscle relaxer, a xanax, topical numbing, laughing gas, even putting me under are all options that others in my position have been offered. And I get denied any of those options because "it's not standard" and "you need to suck it up" over involuntary muscle spasms...

I don't care about fucking risks anymore, because is it really any less of a risk to live in pain, feel my body weaken from fatigue and dysfunction, all while there's something in my body actively causing harm to me and I have no way of even knowing how far it's spread, how serious it is, if it's harming my internal organs, anything...

Why the fuck can't I just sign a form saying I understand all the risks and then just ask for what I fucking need? I don't want to sound like I have a big head, but I've never been wrong about this shit. Every fucking issue or problem I spent years trying to convince doctors to listen and look into my concerns, and consistently when they eventually finally do, I turn out to be right. I hate it.

[amitverma-2]

What Is COPD?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung condition that makes breathing difficult. It primarily includes two main conditions: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, often caused by long-term exposure to harmful irritants like cigarette smoke, air pollution, and occupational dust.

Causes of COPD

COPD develops due to long-term exposure to lung irritants. The most common causes include:

Smoking – The leading cause of COPD, responsible for nearly 90% of cases.

Air Pollution – Long-term exposure to pollutants in the environment or workplace.

Genetic Factors – A rare genetic disorder called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency can cause COPD.

Respiratory Infections – Frequent lung infections during childhood can contribute to COPD development.

Passive Smoking – Being around smokers for extended periods can also contribute.

Exposure to Chemicals and Dust – People working in industries such as mining, farming, or construction are at higher risk.

Aging – The risk of COPD increases with age as lung function naturally declines.

Symptoms of COPD

The symptoms of COPD develop gradually and worsen over time. Common signs include:

Persistent cough with mucus

Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity

Wheezing and chest tightness

Frequent respiratory infections

Fatigue and unintended weight loss

Swelling in ankles, feet, or legs in severe cases

Cyanosis – A bluish tint to lips or fingernails due to low oxygen levels

Stages of COPD

COPD is classified into four stages based on the severity:

Mild (Stage 1) – Occasional cough with mucus, minimal impact on daily activities.

Moderate (Stage 2) – Increased breathlessness, especially during exertion.

Severe (Stage 3) – Frequent flare-ups, significant limitation in physical activities.

Very Severe (Stage 4) – Extreme shortness of breath, high risk of complications, and need for oxygen therapy.

How Is COPD Diagnosed?

COPD is diagnosed through the following tests:

Spirometry (Lung Function Test) – Measures lung capacity and airflow obstruction.

Chest X-ray or CT Scan – Helps detect lung damage.

Blood Tests – Checks oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.

Arterial Blood Gas Analysis – Determines how well your lungs exchange gases.

Six-minute Walk Test – Evaluates exercise tolerance and oxygen levels.

Treatment Options for COPD

While COPD has no cure, treatment can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Common treatment methods include:

Medications:

Bronchodilators – Help relax airway muscles.

Corticosteroids – Reduce inflammation in the lungs.

Antibiotics – Used during infections to prevent exacerbations.

Oxygen Therapy:

Helps patients with low blood oxygen levels.

Portable oxygen concentrators provide mobility and independence.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation:

Involves exercise training, nutrition advice, and breathing techniques.

Surgical Treatments:

Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS) – Removes damaged lung tissue to improve breathing.

Lung Transplant – For end-stage COPD patients.

Lifestyle Modifications:

Quitting smoking.

Avoiding exposure to pollutants.

Maintaining a balanced diet.

Regular physical activity.

Medical Equipment That Helps COPD Patients

Several medical devices help improve breathing and overall health for COPD patients:

Oxygen Concentrators: Provide a continuous supply of oxygen to patients with low blood oxygen levels.

BiPAP Machines – Used for non-invasive ventilation to assist with breathing during sleep.

Nebulizers – Deliver medication directly to the lungs for quick relief.

Pulse Oximeters – Help monitor oxygen levels in the blood at home.

Portable Oxygen Cylinders – Allow mobility for COPD patients who need supplemental oxygen.

Hospital Beds – Adjustable beds that help in comfortable positioning and better breathing.

Chest Physiotherapy Devices – Assist in clearing mucus from the lungs.

How Healthy Jeena Sikho Helps You

If you or a loved one is dealing with COPD, Healthy Jeena Sikho provides high-quality medical equipment to support respiratory health. We offer oxygen concentrators, BiPAP machines, nebulizers, hospital beds, and pulse oximeters for rent and sale. Our services are available across North India, ensuring access to essential medical care at an affordable cost. Visit www.healthyjeenasikho.com for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can COPD be cured?

No, COPD is a chronic condition, but treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

2. Is COPD only caused by smoking?

No, while smoking is the leading cause, air pollution, genetic factors, and occupational exposure also contribute.

3. How can I prevent COPD?

Avoid smoking, limit exposure to pollutants, maintain good respiratory hygiene, and follow a healthy lifestyle.

4. Can COPD patients exercise?

Yes, light to moderate exercises like walking and breathing exercises can help strengthen the lungs.

5. When should a COPD patient use oxygen therapy?

Oxygen therapy is recommended when blood oxygen levels drop significantly. A doctor can assess if it’s needed.

6. What foods should COPD patients eat?

COPD patients should eat protein-rich foods, fruits, vegetables, and avoid processed foods high in sodium.

7. How does a BiPAP machine help with COPD?

A BiPAP machine assists in breathing by providing positive air pressure, reducing shortness of breath.

8. Can COPD be reversed if diagnosed early?

No, but early intervention can slow progression and improve quality of life.

9. Does COPD affect sleep?

Yes, COPD can cause sleep disturbances due to breathing difficulties. Using a BiPAP or oxygen therapy can help.

10. Where can I rent or buy medical equipment for COPD in North India?

You can rent or buy oxygen concentrators, BiPAP machines, nebulizers, and more from Healthy Jeena Sikho. Visit www.healthyjeenasikho.com for details.