The University of Kansas Health System reports a slight decrease in the number of COVID-19 patients today. 28 are hospitalized, down from 33 yesterday. Ten patients are in the ICU, the same as yesterday. Four patients are on ventilators, up from 3 yesterday. 22 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase. That’s up from 19 yesterday. In addition, HaysMed reports 17 inpatients with one on a ventilator. Doctors say we can expect to see the numbers fluctuate in both directions in the coming weeks.
The CDC reports that a body-mass index of 30 and above increases your risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Jennifer McAllaster and Psychologist Dr. Ashley Rhodes joined the discussion to update the risks and reasons for obesity, plus how COVID-19 is putting some people in danger of life-threatening eating disorders.
Dr. Rhodes said we are all under more stress because of the pandemic, which has led to many more people overeating and gaining weight. She explained that our routines have changed, and we often look for relief in ways we can control. She says it’s natural that food ties us together, but we must guard against using it for comfort. She described binge eating as eating 2-3 meals in one sitting and feeling out of control. She also had advice for dealing with eating during the upcoming holiday season. She warned against bedtime snacks and suggested other ways of helping wind down at the end of the day. She said the term “hangry” accurately describes the feeling many of us get between meals and says we need to adjust our eating schedules to keep that from happening. She says it can be hard to modify our eating habits, and suggested the National Eating Disorders Helpline, 800-931-2237, as a good source of advice and encouragement.
Dr. McAllaster says bariatric surgery is not a cure for obesity, just one tool. It only works when patients make lifestyle changes after the procedure. She explained that a person’s body mass index (BMI) is simply their weight in relation to their height. A BMI of 25 is considered overweight while a BMI of 30 or more is considered obese. She says a person is a candidate for bariatric surgery if they have a BMI of 40 or more or 35 with other conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. She says it’s unhealthy to put on extra weight in a short time, such as during a pandemic. She noted studies show losing even five percent of your weight, that’s 10 pounds if you weigh 200, can have significant health benefits. She stressed setting small goals works best in losing weight. She suggested ditching the regular size dinner plate and using a salad plate for the proper food serving size. She added that quick fix efforts at losing weight are not good and that it’s a long-term process. She urges everyone to look for little things they can control during the pandemic and make a mindful decision to eat better and increase activity.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System, sees obese patients all the time in the hospital with COVID-19 and says that extra weight can complicate things. He discussed the effectiveness of some school districts sending thermometers home with all of the kids. He agrees we’re all dealing with more stress every day. But he adds we’ve learned to wear masks and social distance and eating better is no different. He believes it will only take one or two weeks to become second nature.
Wednesday, September 30 at 8:00 a.m. is the next morning media update. Have you heard of the Keep WyCo Well initiative? It includes a pledge anyone can take that promises to follow the pillars of infection prevention and control in order to keep business open and people healthy. Tomorrow Daniel Silva with the KCK Chamber, Marcia Harrington with the Wyandotte Economic Development Council and Alan Carr with the KCK Convention and Visitors Bureau will join us to update us on how it’s working.
ATTENTION: media procedure for calling in:
The meeting is available by Zoom, both video and by phone. To join the Zoom Meeting by video, click https://kumc-ois.zoom.us/j/7828978628
Telephone dial-in Participants:
For those without Zoom, call 1-253-215-8782, meeting ID: 782 897 8628.
The feed is also available via TVU grid. The TVU source is UoK_Health and is being made available to all.
Feel free to send questions in advance to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.
