Blog Archive
You might feel like you’re in the prime of your life, but a potentially serious health problem could be looming. The best way to know is through regular health screenings. Over half of men admit to dodging the doctor. If you’re one of them, Dr. Michael Skardasis at Optimal Performance...
You’re a superwoman: You work all day in and outside the home, keep track of everyone’s schedules, and still manage to find time to brush your hair (most days). It’s understandable if you’re feeling worn out — but your hectic life may not be the only thing you can blame. ...
Whether your blood pressure is running on the high side, you have high cholesterol passed down from a family member, or you have no known reason to be worried about your cardiovascular health, heart disease is a threat you should be aware of. Nearly half of all Americans have a...
People make all sorts of goals when the new year rolls around, many of which concern their health. But instead of making vague goals to lose weight and get healthier, why not make a goal that helps achieve those things? Dr. Michael Skardasis and our team at Optimal Performance Medicine...
Another new year is approaching, and with it, resolutions, promises, and goals. If you’re like 20% of your fellow resolution-makers, losing weight is your primary aim. Whether this is your first time stepping into the weight loss arena or you’ve re-upped your commitment, you’ve come to the right place. Dr....
High blood pressure affects nearly half of US adults. But the shocking number of people with high blood pressure is the least problematic aspect. High blood pressure has earned the nickname “the silent killer” because the condition rarely comes with warning signs. Many people with hypertension don’t realize they have...
If you’re reading this, you’ve already taken an important first step, realizing that you (or a loved one) have depression and need help. However, if you’ve spent even a little time investigating your treatment options, you quickly realize that getting the help you need may be a bit overwhelming. You...
You do your best to stick to a regular bedtime, you get enough exercise, and you’re even getting better at managing your stress. So why are you still living under the fog of chronic fatigue? It’s frustrating feeling run down day in and day out without understanding why. And that’s...
Gestational diabetes is a unique type of diabetes that occurs only when you’re pregnant. For many women, gestational diabetes resolves itself shortly after giving birth — that is, until it’s time for the next bundle of joy. Nearly 50% of women who’ve had gestational diabetes will deal with it again in their future pregnancies. ...
It’s not easy to hear that something you can’t control puts you at an increased risk for a health condition, but understanding what to expect is the best first step forward in getting the help you need, especially when it comes to hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is very common, and virtually anyone...
Immigrating legally into the United States requires many complicated and time-consuming steps, and one of the first boxes to check is getting your immigration physical. This part of your citizenship journey can be the simplest, but only if you come prepared. We understand how overwhelming this process can be and...
Habits are those behaviors we do automatically. First, a cue triggers a behavior that elicits a reward, and then we want to repeat it over and over again. Some habits, such as noticing a messy pile of blankets and pillows and taking action to make the bed, are positive. Others,...
Are you feeling tired and irritable or experiencing hot flashes? These symptoms could be signs of hormonal imbalances and are common as we age. But don't worry — there's hope in treatment, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) may be just what you need to feel like yourself again. BHRT...
You looked up “signs of high blood pressure” and wound up with more questions than answers. Unfortunately, high blood pressure (you may also hear it called hypertension) doesn’t usually come with a warning. For that reason, many call high blood pressure “the silent killer.” However, just because your body won’t...
Keeping a trim figure is hardly a new craze; men and women have been trying to fit the mold of picture-perfect health for many years. But all too often, the conversation about weight loss shifts to how we look rather than how healthy we are. We're on a mission to...
Unlike some conditions that make their presence known, diabetes can often behave more like a thief in the night — unless you know what to look for. Approximately 37.3 million people in the United States have diabetes, but at least 8.5 million aren’t diagnosed. What’s worse is that 2.5% of those diagnosed...
We’d never expect our cars to run without gas, our phones to send a text without battery power, or our lights to turn on without electricity. So why do we expect our bodies to function properly without the fuel they need? That’s what can happen when you have hypothyroidism, a...
If your friends or family members complain about being tired all the time or struggle to find the energy to support their weight loss goals, give them the gift of B-12 injections this holiday season! Vitamin B-12 is found naturally in dairy products, fish, and meat, which is why vegetarians...
It’s no secret that being overweight comes with a long list of potential health problems. But it’s not enough to know that excess weight is a health threat. Dr. Michael Skardasis and our team at Optimal Performance Medicine want you to be fully educated on some of the most common...
A little bit of anxiety is good—healthy, even. The flood of hormones that increases your heart rate and breathing, rushes blood to your brain, and gives you that jittery feeling is part of your body’s built-in response to perceived threats. But it’s not supposed to last. Eventually, your body should...
Dieting is one of our country’s greatest obsessions. Nearly 45 million Americans go on a diet and spend upwards of $33 billion on weight-loss products each year. But are they really getting the most out of their choices? Unfortunately, the numbers tell us that they aren’t. Around 80% of folks who try to diet...
Sometimes, the smallest structures of your anatomy can have the biggest impact on your health. That’s especially true when it comes to your endocrine system. Your endocrine system is a network of glands that produces, stores, and distributes hormones that regulate virtually every cell, organ, and function in your body. ...
Most of us have felt the effects of a bad night’s sleep or a long day of traveling. These routine-disruptors can leave you feeling a bit rundown for a day or so, but you typically bounce back quickly. Fatigue is something very different. Fatigue refers to a chronic lack of...
Some doctors look at you and only see a body. When you come into our office, we see a whole person, complete with body, mind, and spirit. And it’s that unique perspective that makes our team better equipped to treat what’s ailing you. Here, Dr. Michael Skardasis, our health and...
Located in the front of your neck is a butterfly-shaped organ called your thyroid gland. Though it’s small (no longer than two inches), the thyroid plays a huge role in your overall health. Your thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormones, which are essential to a variety of functions, ranging from maintaining...
Nearly one-third of Americans aged 20 and over are considered overweight, and another third is obese — that means almost 70% of the U.S. population is at least overweight. And the consequences affect virtually every part of the body. Those who live with extra weight are at risk for serious...
Over 34 million Americans (10% of the population) have diabetes. Another 1.5 million are added to that total every year. With this chronic disease running rampant, it’s only natural to be curious about your own risk. Here, Dr. Michael Skardasis and our team at Optimal Performance Medicine walk through the...
Ask someone how they’re doing and the response is likely, “I’m tired,” bookended with sighs. The National Safety Council reported that 43% of Americans are too tired to function at work, and 97% of respondents have at least one risk factor for fatigue. If you’re one of the millions who...
Most people walk out of their doctor’s office with a bill and a cookie-cutter treatment plan. That’s not how we do things at Optimal Performance Medicine. Here, we treat you as a unique individual with a complex, interconnected system of physical attributes, genetics, emotions, habits, and environmental influences. We know...
From fine lines and wrinkles to discolored teeth, nearly everyone has something they’d like to change about themselves. For half of the population, their main concern is shedding excess weight. However, unlike many of the flaws we seek to fix, losing weight also comes with numerous mental, emotional, and physical...
Even in the most developed areas of the world, many are still not as healthy as they could be. Nearly 10% of Americans have some type of nutritional deficiency — often in vitamins. Vitamins are organic compounds that every human needs. Each vitamin plays a different but unique role in...
Diabetes impacts over 34 million adults and 200,000 young adults and children. Though it’s extremely common, diabetes is still a complicated, chronic health condition. And if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes, being completely informed is crucial to your ability to manage the disease. Dr. Michael...
Typically, a solid night of sleeping has you popping out of bed before the sun rises the next day. Yet, there are days when you’re running on fumes and can’t seem to get into gear. When your fatigue drags on (and takes you with it), there’s likely a health problem...
Your blood work results came back, and it turns out you have high triglycerides. Now what? Even if you know what triglycerides are and what they mean for your health, you may not know how to return your levels to normal. That’s when you turn to our expert. Dr. Michael...
It’s small, shaped like a butterfly, and sits just below the base of the front of your neck — it’s your thyroid gland. And though it’s compact in size, it plays a large role in your overall health. Your thyroid is in charge of producing and releasing chemical messengers called...
High blood pressure is one of the most prevalent health conditions impacting Americans today. Nearly half of the adult population has been diagnosed with or is taking medication for high blood pressure. If you’re one of the individuals, then you know how important it is to closely monitor all facets...
American culture loves the worker bee. We admire people who are up before the sun and work into the wee hours of the morning while juggling social and family responsibilities. But it takes more than work ethic to live up to these standards — it takes energy. Unfortunately, 43% of...
You know the numbers: One in 10 Americans has diabetes and 1 in 3 American adults has prediabetes. But what makes one person more or less at risk? Dr. Michael Skardasis and our team at Optimal Performance Medicine are taking a deep dive into the risk factors for diabetes and...
The process for coming into the US legally is long, complicated, and often overwhelming. But getting your immigration physical can be one of the simplest parts if you’re completely prepared. Dr. Michael Skardasis and our team at Optimal Performance Medicine know that this process can be equally exciting and stressful....
Even though we Georgians are fortunate enough to have sunshine most of the year, that doesn’t mean we don’t feel the effects when the temperature dips. The colder season impacts our lives in many ways and can wreak havoc on our body’s ability to protect us against illness. Dr. Michael...
Asthma is a big problem in the United States. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, approximately 25 million Americans have asthma. For all of those individuals, their asthma is a daily struggle. For some, their asthma gets even worse in the winter. If you’re one of those...
Another holiday season is upon us, and with it, enough calorie-packed temptations to fill a buffet. You might think that a snowman-shaped cookie here and a turkey feast there can’t have that much of an impact on your weight. Think again. Some refer to the time between Halloween and New...
Perhaps the only thing worse than having IBS is having to talk about it. If you ignore your IBS and hope it’ll go away on its own, you’re not alone. Most of the 45 million people who have IBS never seek treatment or guidance from a medical professional. Dr. Michael...
From pulling an all-nighter to struggling with an underlying medical condition, there are lots of obvious reasons why you’re feeling run down. Chronic fatigue, however, can become increasingly frustrating when you can’t put your finger on what’s causing it. When that’s the case, you need our experts to help you...
Managing your vitamins is one of the hardest parts of maintaining a healthy lifestyle because so many things can impact their presence in your body. There are over a dozen vitamins that are essential to your health and sometimes even a nutritious diet can’t prevent you from developing a vitamin...
Balancing your cholesterol levels is one of the hardest parts of staying healthy. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make the effort. Instead, the best way to control your cholesterol is to know everything about it — both how it affects your body, and how you can manage it. Dr....
Vitamin C is arguably one of the body’s most essential vitamins. A deficiency in vitamin C can increase your risk of cancer, heart disease, and cataracts. While nature can provide your body with plenty of vitamin C from food sources ranging from citrus fruit to broccoli, some people don’t always...
Dr. Michael Skardasis is an internal medicine specialist who leads the staff here at Optimal Performance Medicine in Woodstock, Georgia, where we consider you the most valuable member of your health care team. We’ve remained available to our patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to be there in...
Nearly half of Americans have high blood pressure. That’s approximately 103 million people. Unfortunately, not all of these people are doing everything they can to manage their condition. Visits with the doctor and taking your medication regularly are two of the best ways to manage your high blood pressure. However,...
It’s a new year, and you’ve probably made some resolutions. While making more money usually tops the list, eating better, exercising, and losing weight fall right behind. The trouble is, while 60% of the people surveyed in a 2019 study said they made resolutions, only 8% said they stuck with...
There are many steps in the path to establishing permanent residency in the United States as an immigrant. If you're planning on changing your legal status or applying for your green card, one of the steps you need to complete is an immigration physical, also designated as the I-693, Report...
Your thyroid gland controls a great many functions in your body, including metabolism. You probably already know that one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism, when your thyroid doesn’t produce as much hormone as it should, is weight gain. Even if you’re being treated, hypothyroidism may still have an impact on...
Being overweight or obese is associated with many health risks. If you’re overweight, you’re more likely to develop heart disease, for example, along with numerous other chronic conditions. But when you hear about those kinds of health risks, you probably think about your waist size or the number on the...
Chronic conditions like migraines or fibromyalgia can drag you down. The pain, inflammation, and exhaustion seem to have no end. When traditional medicine fails, alternative choices can improve your quality of life. At Optimal Performance Medicine in Woodstock, Georgia, Dr. Michael Skardasis and his team provide intravenous (IV) hydration therapy...
First, you feel a slight ache on the side of your head. Maybe your hearing gets a little wonky. All of a sudden, you can’t sleep at night because every toss and turn ends in excruciating pain, and the world sounds like it’s underwater. You may have an ear infection. ...
Is stress a part of your daily life? Most people feel at least a little stress every day. A 2017 Gallup poll found that 8 in 10 Americans report being frequently or sometimes stressed in their daily lives. Between your work, social life, and family responsibilities, you may feel that...
It’s normal to be tired now and then. The rigors of life can sap your energy. Yet fatigue can occur for reasons other than a hectic day or a lack of rest. It can be a symptom of a number of health issues, and there may be times when there’s...
The best way to lose weight is still diet and exercise, but sometimes you might need to help your body out in order to enjoy best results from lifestyle changes. It can be hard to get enough B vitamins based on diet alone. Lipotropic injections support your system, increasing your...
Have you been struggling to lose weight, but nothing has worked? Have you been dieting and working out regularly for a while, but you haven’t seen effective results? While these things may work for other people, they aren’t your only options. Dr. Michael Skardasis at Optimal Performance Medicine in Woodstock,...
Do you have high blood pressure? It might be easy to shake your head and shrug off the possibility, but the truth is many Americans have hypertension — also known as high blood pressure ― and don’t even know it. Why don’t they know? There are many different factors, including...
Traditional weight-loss diets are based on the idea of restricting calories so that you burn off all the energy you consume. The trouble is, traditional diets don’t just make you feel like you’re starving, they actually activate your body’s starvation response, too. That’s why — even if you’re “successful” with...