All of us can be infected with the coronavirus. However, some people have higher chances of getting infected and experiencing severe illness from COVID-19.
High-Risk Patients
Elderly patients who are 85 and above have an increased risk of experiencing serious symptoms of COVID-19. In the United States, there are higher mortality rates among patients ages 65 and older. Other high-risk patients include pregnant women, children with health complexities, and immunocompromised patients.
Medications and Underlying Conditions
Prednisone and similar steroids are drugs that weaken the immune system to manage inflammation in the body. They treat illnesses that involve severe inflammation, such as asthma, COPD, and rheumatoid arthritis. Long-term use of these drugs can make a person susceptible to the virus.
Patients with certain health conditions are more vulnerable to this new disease regardless of age. These health concerns include the following:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD
- Immunocompromised state from solid organ transplant
- Heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
- Sickle cell disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity
Obesity
According to the CDC, 4 out of 10 adults in the United States are obese. This shows a 12% increase since the 1990s and is a bigger concern during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What Is Obesity?
Obesity is a complex disease that involves a high amount of fat in the body. A Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 and above is an indication of this condition. Obesity increases a person’s risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
Increased Risk of COVID-19
People who are obese have a higher risk of severe illness with COVID because of their weakened immune systems. It also makes them more susceptible to the virus if they have underlying health conditions. The risks of hospitalization are higher.
Severe COVID-19 Reactions
Obese patients infected with COVID-19 are prone to multiple organ failures and require prolonged ventilatory support. It is due to the inability of the lungs to expand to its optimal expansion capacity because of too much fat in the chest wall. Obesity also changes the pulmonary exchange of gas and the breathing dynamics of the patient.
Obese patients also have a weak immune response against infection. This results in high levels of inflammation and delayed immune response, making way for the virus to easily spread and attack the lungs.
Lose Weight with Metrolina Medical Associates
Losing excess weight is a struggle that the many of us face. Metrolina Medical Associates provides weight loss services in Rock Hill and Charlotte. We believe that with the right methods and determination, you can achieve a normal weight even if you’ve been obese for a long time.
You’re not only doing this for you but also for your family because they deserve a healthier version of you. We can help you on your journey to better health.
Diet Counseling
Your diet impacts weight loss. With that, we can conduct nutritional counseling so we can identify the right food for you and the dietary changes needed to lose your excess fat. On your first visit, we will gather the following information:
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- Weight, vital signs, and BMI
- Health and diet history review
- Physical exam
- Body measurements
Weight Loss Programs
Your weight loss program will depend on the amount of weight that you need to lose. Our programs are as follows:
Get Trim Program ( Lose 10-20 pounds): A 3-5 month program with Lipotropic injections weekly to biweekly and B complex injection once a month.
A New Look Program ( Lose 20-40 pounds): A 5-10 month program with Lipotropic injections weekly to biweekly and B complex injections monthly.
For Your Health Program (Weight loss of more than 40 pounds): This will require a year or longer and depends on the individual patient’s ability and commitment to losing weight.
HCG Diet
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin or HCG Diet is a 3-month weight loss program wherein you can lose up to 1 pound a day. HCG can help stimulate your brain to lose more calories and boost the calorie-burning process.
This program has helped reduce the medications of our diabetic and hypertensive patients. If they were able to make it, you can too.
truSculpt for Fat Reduction
truSculpt is a non-surgical fat reduction procedure that uses radiofrequency technology to help you get rid of cellulite and contour your body. You can use the 15-minute truSculpt ID or one-hour truSculpt 3D to eliminate unwanted fat and redefine the shape of your body.
We can help you identify the right diet and medical procedures to achieve a normal and healthy weight. We’re excited to see your transformation and lower your risk of getting infected with COVID-19.
Metrolina Medical Associates provides weight loss programs in Rock Hill and Charlotte. Start your weight loss journey by calling us now or scheduling an appointment.
