watercress words by Dr Aletha

This post has been extensively updated at this link and you can also visit the post links at the bottom of this page.

Are advanced weight management options right for you?

So who should consider advanced weight loss options? Anyone whose weight is excessive enough to be a health problem.

by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D. October 14, 2020September 26, 2022

I have written about several approaches to weight loss. First and always is lifestyle changes involving food choices, and eating habits. Along with that, one needs to start or increase physical activity. There are many different ways to achieve these, from books, videos, group activities, online programs, counselling and many combinations of these. For those folks who still can’t reach goal, the next options are weight loss medications, which I have discussed previously, and surgery.

After gaining weight with pregnancies, one woman successfully lost weight with gastric bypass surgery. Read about the lifestyle changes she made at this article from American Family Physician journal.

Review other posts which address weight management issues at these links.

Obesity and BMI defined

How we should view excess weight

How effective are weight management programs?

A success story; how a doctor helped her patient lose weight

When diet alone doesn’t work

How my friend lost weight and inspired others with her example

Dr. Aletha

You may read an updated version of this article at this link-

Surprising myths and truths about dental care

I often cringe when I read health advice articles by people without medical training but sometimes the information is accurate and helpful. Such is the case with a recent newsletter I read by Mary Hunt, founder of Debt-Free Living. I subscribe to her newsletter and have been impressed with the wealth (no pun intended) of information she provides on money management, budgeting, frugal living, and how to avoid the stress of being in debt.

This newsletter caught my attention because just now I am dealing with some unexpected dental expenses that I do not have dental insurance to cover. Fortunately, I am able to pay for it out of pocket but it’s still not something I wanted to spend money on right now.

Who doesn't want healthy teeth? — Who doesn’t want healthy teeth?

Budgeting for medical and dental expenses is difficult, since we don’t exactly plan to get sick or injured. We can anticipate routine care however, and practice preventive measures to lessen the chance for those unexpected occurrences.

Her recent newsletter Dental Care is Not a Luxury Item lists suggestions for caring for our teeth to prevent the need for extensive and expensive dental procedures. I think the suggestions she offers are valid and worth discussing with your personal dentist to see if they are right for you and your family. (Mary’s posts contain affiliate links which are not connected to my blog)

Unfortunately, not everything can be prevented; some problems will happen no matter what, like my cracked tooth which I apparently did nothing to cause and which could not be fixed with a root canal procedure. But I am going to continue doing my routine dental care to avoid preventable dental diseases. I need my teeth for a long time; all these food bloggers make me hungry. And I would rather spend my money doing fun activities with my grandchildren.