Hale Handbook

Conditions & Treatment

Weight-loss medication, surgery, and how weight interacts with diabetes, blood pressure, PCOS, thyroid and more.

11 guides

  1. 1How to Talk to Your Doctor About WeightIt can be an awkward conversation, and some appointments go badly. Here's how to prepare, what to ask, and what to do if you don't feel heard.3 min
  2. 2Weight-Loss Medications: GLP-1s and the Rest, ExplainedWegovy, Zepbound, the new pills and older options. How they work, how much weight people lose, the risks, and what happens when you stop.4 min
  3. 3Weight-Loss Surgery: What to Know Before You DecideIt's the most effective long-term treatment for severe obesity, with real risks and a permanent change in how you eat. Here's the plain version.3 min
  4. 4Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: What Weight Loss Can DoMore than 2 in 5 US adults have prediabetes, and it often goes undetected. Modest weight loss can cut your risk by more than half, and type 2 diabetes can sometimes go into remission.2 min
  5. 5High Blood Pressure and WeightNearly half of US adults have high blood pressure, and lifestyle changes can sometimes rival a medication. Here's what makes the biggest difference.2 min
  6. 6Cholesterol: What Your Numbers Mean and What Moves ThemLDL, HDL, triglycerides. A plain guide to your lipid panel, plus the food changes that make the most difference.3 min
  7. 7Fatty Liver Disease: The Quiet Condition Weight Loss Can ReverseIt now affects roughly a third of adults worldwide, it usually has no symptoms, and the liver can heal remarkably well if it's caught early.2 min
  8. 8PCOS and Weight: What Actually HelpsIt can make weight gain easier and weight loss harder. There's no special "PCOS diet," but there are real options, and it's not your fault.3 min
  9. 9Thyroid Problems and Weight: The Real ConnectionAn underactive thyroid can add some weight, but usually less than people expect. Here's when to get tested, and what treatment does and doesn't do.3 min
  10. 10Medications That Can Cause Weight GainIf you gained weight after starting a new prescription, it might not be in your head. Here are the common culprits, and how to raise it with your prescriber.2 min
  11. 11Sleep Apnea and Weight: A Two-Way StreetLoud snoring and daytime exhaustion aren't just annoying. Sleep apnea strains your heart, and it makes weight harder to manage, but it's very treatable.3 min

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