Blog Archive
Your hormones are powerful. They affect your weight, energy, mood, and sleep patterns. A slight change in hormone levels creates significant changes in how your body functions and how you feel. At our family medicine practice in Bastrop, Texas, Pompeyo C Chavez, MD, specializes in diagnosing and treating many hormone-related...
If you find it hard to lose weight, you’re not alone. In fact, the challenges that come with shedding excess weight have launched a $72 billion industry in the United States. Between meal replacements, fitness apps, and a bevy of fad diets, these trendy approaches promise enticing results. Some people even see...
No one wants to get bit by a bug. A bite can cause discomfort as well as uneasiness about the offending type of bug in the future. However, if a bite causes an allergic reaction, it can go beyond discomfort quickly. A severe allergic reaction can cause large-scale swelling and...
High cholesterol is a condition that affects 12 percent of adults 20 and older and seven percent of children between ages 6-19. It often goes unnoticed because it doesn’t present with symptoms, but having it increases your risks of a variety of problems, including cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and stroke. Since...
More than 96 million Americans have prediabetes, and about 37 million more have diabetes. Diabetes is a serious condition and is the seventh leading cause of death in the world. With stats like this, it’s easy to understand how a diabetes diagnosis can be disheartening. While diabetes is a serious condition that requires regular management, it’s...
You’ve been diagnosed with COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Perhaps it stems from smoking, emphysema, or asthma. Maybe you worked with chemicals or have been exposed to toxic fumes. Whatever the cause, you’ve had a number of the symptoms for some time. Your airways may be swollen or irritated,...
If you are overweight, you are likely dealing with a host of health problems. One of the biggest of these problems, however, is high blood pressure caused by your increased weight. You may not even be consciously thinking about your blood pressure, but the added weight is putting a strain...
About 20 million Americans have some level of thyroid disorder, with most of them being women. When the hormones produced by this bowtie-shaped gland in the neck fall out of balance, your body’s metabolism goes haywire. Thyroid hormones interact with virtually every system in your body, regulating the way that...
Many of us use the term anxious to describe worry and the term depression to describe sadness. Of course, we all experience these emotions. Life often throws challenges at us, but sometimes worry and sadness persist even in the absence of a real or perceived threat. so, when do such...
Some doctors might tell you to simply get rid of your pet if you’re allergic, but those medical practitioners obviously don’t understand that your pet is part of your family. At the concierge-style medical practice MDVIP at Premier Family Physicians in Bastrop, Texas, Dr. Pompeyo Chavez will ensure that you...
Every year, heart disease kills almost 300,000 women in the United States, which means that one out of three female deaths occurs because of some type of heart problem — making it more deadly than all types of cancers combined. Even though those stats are sobering, it’s even more shocking...
Like you, your child needs to see their primary care provider for a routine check of general health and well-being. However, because childhood is a period of rapid development and growth, these exams may be more frequent — especially during those first few years — and have a different focus....
We’ve all been there. You’re out enjoying lunch with friends and get distracted by the slender woman across the restaurant devouring a plate full of French fries and washing it down with soda. There you are with your plate full of lean meat and vegetables and water, and unfortunately, you’re...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 45% of all Americans have high blood pressure — that’s more than 108 million people. Unfortunately, many of them don’t even realize they have it because hypertension is typically asymptomatic in its early stages. But if it’s left untreated, high...
Knowing the stats on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be overwhelming. If you’re wondering if you’re one of the millions who will be diagnosed with COPD, then we’re glad you’re here. At MDVIP at Premier Family Physicians, we believe that being educated is an important part of managing your...
It might seem strange that a small, butterfly-shaped structure can tip the scales when it comes to your health. But if you’re one of the 20 million people who have a thyroid disorder, you know exactly how impactful it can be. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to diagnose a thyroid...
A diabetes diagnosis often breeds fear and anxiety. It’s true that having diabetes makes you more likely to develop other chronic diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, and sleep apnea. However, when you partner with a health care provider and embrace a healthy lifestyle, you can effectively manage diabetes...