Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource - April 18, 2002

Thursday, April 18, 2002

There Is More to Obesity Than Overeating

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - It is generally thought that if you are overweight, you simply are taking in more calories than you burn off. Eating less and exercising more will certainly eliminate those extra pounds. While it is true that diet and activity ultimately determine your weight, the April issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource reports that there are genetic, social, behavioral, cultural and metabolic factors that also influence the numbers you see on your scale. A family history of obesity increases your chances of being overweight by 30 percent. For many people, this is the result of familial eating and exercise patterns. But for others, there may be a genetic link to obesity. Researchers have learned that some genes play a part in determining how susceptible a person is to weight gain. One gene in particular, the leptin gene, may be mutated in some people and may increase the likelihood of obesity. More study is needed to understand leptin's relationship to obesity.

It is important to remember that a genetic disposition towards obesity doesn't mean you're destined to be overweight. It only means that you may have to work harder to avoid gaining weight.

Other possible causes of obesity may include a virus that has been linked to weight gain in lab mice. Much more research is needed to prove this theory. But even if the virus is the culprit, diet and exercise are still the "cure." And researchers also are investigating the link between dopamine and obesity. Dopamine is a chemical produced in the body that causes us to feel pleasure. Dopamine deficiency has been linked to addictive behaviors, and some researchers speculate that it could be linked to addictive-type eating disorders.

If you are overweight, you probably can't blame it on your metabolism. Less than two percent of all cases of obesity are related to hormonal or metabolic disorders. The bottom line is that your lifestyle determines your weight and your health. What we are learning about other contributing factors may lead to treatments and preventive strategies in the future.

Deciphering Medical Credentials

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Once upon a time, a visit to the doctor was, well, a visit to the doctor. The April issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource reports that you may see a variety of different medical professionals today. There are M.D.s, D.O.s, P.A.s, and N.P.s. They're all qualified to be primary health-care providers, but have different educational backgrounds. When you're looking for health care, it may help to understand the differences.

Both M.D.s (doctors of medicine) and D.O.s (doctors of osteopathy) are physicians who receive an undergraduate degree from a university, followed by four years of medical school (to receive an M.D. degree) or osteopathic school (for a D.O.). In order to practice, M.D.s and D.O.s must train even further. Residency training involves three to seven years of additional training depending on the doctor's chosen specialty. Some even continue on to a subspecialty fellowship after residency, which can mean one to three more years of training. Physicians must pass a series of national examinations during and after their training in order to become licensed to practice medicine.

A P.A. is a physician assistant, a licensed professional who provides health-care services under the supervision of a doctor. P.A.s are trained to do physical exams, order and interpret some tests, diagnose and treat common conditions, prescribe some medications, and assist physicians in some medical procedures and surgeries. P.A.s generally have two years of education on top of four years of college. P.A.s are certified by a national board exam and must recertify every six years.

N.P.s (nurse practitioners) are registered nurses who have a four-year college degree with specialty graduate training (for example a master's or Ph.D. program in nursing). They may focus on family, pediatric, adult or geriatric care. N.P.s can perform physical exams and health assessments, treat uncomplicated illnesses and prescribe some medications.

Hypnosis: For Relaxation and More

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation that can be used to help break a bad habit, relieve pain or reduce stress. According to April's Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource, the effectiveness of hypnosis depends on the reason it's being used and the susceptibility of the person being hypnotized.

Self-hypnosis is one form of hypnotic therapy that can help relieve stress. Try this relaxation technique to bring yourself peace of mind in stressful times.

• Remove yourself from the stressful situation.
• Sit or lie down in a comfortable position with your eyes closed.
• Mentally scan your body from the toes up. Work slowly, focusing on each body part individually. Wherever you feel tension, imagine it melting away.
• Allow thoughts to flow through your mind, but don't focus on any of them. Tell yourself you are relaxed and calm.
• Once relaxed, imagine yourself in a favorite place or in a spot of great beauty and stillness.

As with most skills, this gets easier with regular practice. As you become skilled at using this technique, you will be able to recall the image of your favorite place at anytime, eliciting a relaxation response from your body. ### Mayo Clinic is a private group practice of medicine dedicated to providing diagnosis and treatment of patient illnesses through a systematic focus on individual patient needs. Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale offers outpatient healthcare in 66 medical and surgical specialties and programs. Mayo Clinic also provides care at primary care practices located throughout the Valley and at the new Mayo Clinic Hospital. The hospital is located at 56th Street and Mayo Boulevard (north of Bell Road) in northeast Phoenix, and provides inpatient care to support the medical and surgical specialties of the Clinic. MayoClinic.com (www.mayoclinic.com), a health information website, is available as a resource for your health stories.

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