Many people are choosing to put off health screenings like colonoscopies during COVID-19. Central Texas Endoscopy Center’s Dr. Joshua Sultz discusses the importance of not putting off health screenings and the additional measures they are taking at the center to provide a safe environment for patients during their procedure.
How to Prevent Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths for men and women in the United States — but prevention or early detection is key to increased survival rate. You can take simple steps to prevent (and detect) colon cancer.
It could save your life.
Pay attention to what your body is telling you.
We all have aches and pains, and they’re there for a reason: Your body is giving you warning signs that something isn’t quite right. Whether it’s a change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, or intermittent or persistent abdominal pain/bloating, these are signs that you may need to see a gastrointestinal doctor.
Your doctor can determine the cause of the symptoms that could signify colon cancer — and work to prevent and treat it.
Get screened.
Colon cancer can be prevented with screenings like a colonoscopy. The point of these screenings is to detect polyps or growths in the colon that could potentially turn into cancer. Through the colonoscopy screening, these potentially serious growths can be removed before they have a chance to become cancerous.
The American Cancer Society recommends that EVERYONE be screened for colon cancer with a colonoscopy by age 45 — or sooner, if your health care provider, risk factors or symptoms indicate a need.
Know your risk factors.
While cancer can develop without any prior indications, there are factors that can increase your risk of developing colon cancer. Being aware of those risk factors means you can detect colon cancer in its earliest stages, for the best survival rate — or prevent it altogether.
Know your:
- Family history. Know if your direct blood relatives (parents, siblings, children) or multiple second-degree relatives (grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins) have had colon cancer OR precancerous polyps, or other hereditary cancer syndromes.
- Personal history. If you had pre-cancerous polyps in the past, or other health conditions (Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease), your risk for colon cancer can also be increased.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
As with many health conditions, how you take care of your body plays a large part in how your body treats you. The same can be said for colon cancer prevention. The diet we consume can help keep our GI tract healthy and the exercise we partake in works on keeping our bodies healthy and reducing our cancer risk.
Such as:
- Less red meat and processed meats
- More fruits, vegetables and whole grains
- Regular physical activity (as permitted by your doctor)
- Not smoking
Prevent Colon Cancer Now
Call Gastrointestinal Specialists P.C. in Troy, Michigan to prevent and detect colon cancer. Request an appointment online so our team can help you save time and money with your colonoscopy screening today.
Natural Glaucoma Treatment like Vitamin B3 May Improve Vision
A new study from the Centre for Eye Research Australia suggests natural treatments like vitamin B3 could protect optic nerve damage that causes glaucoma and blindness. The results of this world-first clinical trial were published in Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve of the eye. It occurs when fluid accumulates in the front of the eye and increases inner eye pressure. This elevated pressure damages the optic nerve. There is no cure for glaucoma, but a comprehensive eye exam can detect glaucoma early to prevent vision loss.
Professor Jonathan Crowston and Dr. Flora Hui of Centre for Eye Research Australia conducted a recent study on patients with glaucoma. The researchers gave glaucoma patients high doses of vitamin B3 every day for 12 weeks, in addition to the patients’ daily medication to lower eye pressure. After the study, patients showed significant improvement in their vision.
“For the first time, we have shown that daily high doses of vitamin B3 can lead to early and significant improvements in patients who are also receiving traditional treatments to lower eye pressure,” Dr. Hui said. “As a safe therapy that is well tolerated by patients, vitamin B3 has potential as a clinical supplement to support patients who are receiving glaucoma treatment” (Medical Express).
Dr. Hui is optimistic that vitamin B3 can protect optic nerve cells from damage and help repair cells that have already begun to deteriorate. She compares taking daily vitamin B3 to lubricating a car engine with oil to help it run smoothly.
The next goal, Dr. Hui explained, is to conduct a larger trial to evaluate whether patients can continue to improve and slow the progression of glaucoma over time.
Should I Start Taking Vitamin B3?
Before you begin taking vitamin B3, talk to your eye doctor. Even a supplement can have side effects and risks. Your ophthalmologist can suggest natural glaucoma treatments that are best for your condition and will not interfere with your current medication. Always ask your doctor before beginning any new supplement or medicine.
Know Your Glaucoma Risk
There is no way to prevent glaucoma, and everyone can be at risk for the disease. Do you know your risk for glaucoma? Take the Glaucoma Risk Assessment to determine whether you are at elevated risk for the disease.
Schedule an annual comprehensive eye exam to get tested for glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and other eye diseases. Most eye exams take less than an hour, but they offer the lifetime benefit of healthy vision. Call your eye doctor today get on the schedule.
Drugs like Viagra May Decrease Colon Cancer Risk
A new Swedish study finds drugs like Viagra may help prevent colon cancer in men as well as improve the prognosis of patients with the disease.
Research from Region Skåne and Lund University in Sweden found potency-enhancing drugs like sildenafil, commonly known as Viagra, can prevent colon cancer and keep it from spreading.
Viagra is one of many potency-enhancing PDE5 inhibitor drugs that have anti-cancer properties. Wuqing Huang, a Ph.D. student at Lund University, and his research colleagues studied data on how PDE5 inhibitors affect mice with colon tumors. They wanted to conduct a study on how the drug affected colon growth in humans.
Dr. Huang used national registers to identify Swedish males with colon cancer who also used PDE5 inhibitors. He found the risk of colon cancer death was reduced by 18 percent among patients who used potency-enhancing drugs. Furthermore, he found colon cancer was less likely to metastasize, or spread to other parts of the body, in patients who used PDE5 inhibitors.
How can Viagra and potency-enhancing drugs help prevent cancer growth and spreading? It seems that surgery can cause immune suppression, but Viagra and similar drugs help protect the immune system. Dr. Huang explains, “The results of our study suggest that the anti-cancer ability of PDE5 inhibitors might be related to regulating immunosuppressive effects. However, randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm our research findings before PDE5 inhibitors can be used as an adjuvant drug for men with colorectal cancer, as well as experiments that explore the underlying biological mechanisms.”
Prevent Colon Cancer by Getting a Colonoscopy
Viagra and potency-enhancing drugs may have some benefit, but they are not sufficient to prevent colon cancer. The best way to prevent colon cancer is to eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise and schedule routine colon cancer screenings.
A colonoscopy is the most effective screening because it can prevent detect and prevent colon cancer. During a colonoscopy your gastroenterologist will examine the entire colon and can remove precancerous colon polyps so they do not develop into cancer.
Know the Symptoms of Colon Cancer
Colon cancer incidence is increasing among young adults. American Cancer Society researchers found half of all new cases of colon cancer are in adults under the age of 66. We cannot continue to view colon cancer as a disease that only affects the elderly population.
No matter your age, you should familiarize yourself with the symptoms of colon cancer. These may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Cramping
- Rectal bleeding
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Anemia
- Unexplained weight loss
Often, colon cancer does not have any symptoms in the early stages, so talk to your doctor about when you should get screened for colon cancer. Most adults at average colon cancer risk should get a baseline screening at age 45 (or 40 for African Americans). However, family history and personal health history could place you in a higher-risk category.
Make an appointment with your gastroenterologist to discuss your colon cancer risk. Your life could depend on it.
Excess Weight is a Significant Arthritis Risk Factor
A recent study finds excess weight is responsible for almost 25 percent of arthritis cases in the United States.
Are you suffering from joint pain and considering a total hip replacement or total knee replacement? According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 23 percent of all Americans have arthritis, and one in four adults with arthritis experience acute joint pain. New research reveals body weight as a significant arthritis risk factor.
Healthy Body Weight Lowers Risk for Arthritis
Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) published a new study that found excess weight causes nearly one-quarter of all arthritis cases in the United States, affecting 2.7 million people. Weight loss between early adulthood and middle age lowered the risk for arthritis. The study also showed that people who were overweight in early life and then lost weight were not at elevated risk for arthritis.
The study examined data on adults between the ages of 40 and 69, taken from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Researchers categorized adults based on variations in their body mass indices between early adulthood to mid-life, and they examined the link between BMI and the risk of developing osteoarthritis within the next decade.
Overweight and obese adults, as well as adults who initially had a normal BMI and became overweight or obese, were all more likely to develop arthritis compared to adults whose BMI remained in the normal weight zone.
Kaitlyn Berry was the lead author of the study while she was a research fellow at BUSPH. Berry said weight loss was extremely effective in reducing individual arthritis risk, but preventing weight gain was a more beneficial goal on a national level.
“These findings highlight the need for lifelong public health measures to prevent obesity at younger ages as an important step to curb later life musculoskeletal and joint health problems such as osteoarthritis. This is particularly important as musculoskeletal pain is a leading cause of disability globally,” said Dr. Tuhina Neogi, study co-author and professor of epidemiology at BUSPH, professor of medicine at the Boston University School of Medicine, and chief of rheumatology at Boston Medical Center (Medical Express).
Call your Orthopedist
If you are suffering from chronic pain and are considering a total joint replacement, make an appointment with your orthopedist. Bodyweight is a significant arthritis risk factor, and your doctor can discuss various treatment options with you. Total hip replacement and total knee replacement may be the right course of treatment for you, but weight loss could be beneficial for your joints and your overall health.
How You Can Prevent Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths for men and women in the United States — but prevention or early detection is key to increased survival rate. You can take simple steps to prevent (and detect) colon cancer.
It could save your life.
Pay attention to what your body is telling you.
We all have aches and pains, and they’re there for a reason: Your body is giving you warning signs that something isn’t quite right. Whether it’s a change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, or intermittent or persistent abdominal pain/bloating, these are signs that you may need to see a gastrointestinal doctor.
Your doctor can determine the cause of the symptoms that could signify colon cancer — and work to prevent and treat it.
Get screened.
Colon cancer can be prevented with screenings like a colonoscopy. The point of these screenings is to detect polyps or growths in the colon that could potentially turn into cancer. Through the colonoscopy screening, these potentially serious growths can be removed before they have a chance to become cancerous.
The American Cancer Society recommends that EVERYONE be screened for colon cancer with a colonoscopy by age 45 — or sooner, if your health care provider, risk factors or symptoms indicate a need.
Know your risk factors.
While cancer can develop without any prior indications, there are factors that can increase your risk of developing colon cancer. Being aware of those risk factors means you can detect colon cancer in its earliest stages, for the best survival rate — or prevent it altogether.
Know your:
- Family history. Know if your direct blood relatives (parents, siblings, children) or multiple second-degree relatives (grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins) have had colon cancer OR precancerous polyps, or other hereditary cancer syndromes.
- Personal history. If you had pre-cancerous polyps in the past, or other health conditions (Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease), your risk for colon cancer can also be increased.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
As with many health conditions, how you take care of your body plays a large part in how your body treats you. The same can be said for colon cancer prevention. The diet we consume can help keep our GI tract healthy and the exercise we partake in works on keeping our bodies healthy and reducing our cancer risk.
Such as:
- Less red meat and processed meats
- More fruits, vegetables and whole grains
- Regular physical activity (as permitted by your doctor)
- Not smoking
Prevent Colon Cancer Now
Call Gastrointestinal Specialists P.C. in Troy, Michigan to prevent and detect colon cancer. Request an appointment online so our team can help you save time and money with your colonoscopy screening today.
Middlesex Digestive Continues to Protect Patients from COVID-19
Here at Middlesex Endoscopy Center, we are taking every COVID-19 precaution to ensure that patient safety is our top priority. We have implemented social distancing and are only allowing a certain number of people in the building at any given time. We have also spaced out the chairs in the waiting area so they are at least 6-feet apart. Our staff both, medical and business, will wear masks during all interactions. Medical staff will also be wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) that will be changed after every patient.
Our Patients Journey During COVID-19
To ensure that we are keeping everyone safe, we have implemented new extensive precautions which can impact your wait time. Please be aware that you could be here for up to 3 ½ hours.
We will be giving you a call the week before your appointment to go over questions regarding your health and health of others around you. We are also requiring all patients to have COVID-19 testing 48 hours prior to your procedure. Please wear a mask if you have one. If you do not, we will supply you with one once you get to our facility. Once you arrive for your appointment please come through the double doors, and someone will be there to greet you. That is when we will perform a final health screening before entering the building.
All procedure rooms will have a deep cleaning after every procedure, we also have Beyond Guardian Air, air purifiers in every procedure room. This air purifier captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.1 micron, it has a five-stage filter and uses ActivePure Technology, which is used on the International Space Station.
Unfortunately, no rides are allowed into the building. Your ride will receive a call from a nurse when you are almost ready to go.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call 978-429-2000.
Boseman’s Death Marks Importance of Colon Cancer Screening at 45
In the wake of ‘Black Panther’ star Chadwick Boseman’s death from colon cancer at age 43, we would like to emphasize the importance of being screened for colon cancer, especially if you are aged 45 and above or have a family history of colorectal cancer.
Colon Cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States for men and women combined, and cases have been rising by about 2 percent annually in recent years in people under 50, according to a recent report by the American Cancer Society. Although the majority of cases are found in older people, young onset colon cancer has increased in recent years. Experts aren’t sure exactly why. For some patients, obesity, diabetes, smoking or a family history of cancer may play a role, but not all people who develop colorectal cancer have these risk factors.
Among people over 65, rates of colorectal cancer, which includes tumors in the rectum or the colon, have actually been declining, probably due to the uptick of more regular screening. However, experts are seeing an 86 percent decrease in colon cancer screenings due to COVID-19, which will inevitably have a negative impact on life expectancy for those with the disease.The American Cancer Society advocates that everybody should begin getting screenings at age 45, but people with a family history of colon cancer should start getting tested at age 40, or at 10 years younger than the age at which their family member was diagnosed, whichever is sooner.
Colonoscopy is the only procedure that can detect and prevent colon cancer. Some are turning to Cologuard or other at-home colon cancer screening tests, which do have a miss rate of 8 percent and may produce false positives, in which a colonoscopy will still need to be performed to remove the polyps. Many people assume that health insurance will cover both the at-home colon cancer screening test and any subsequent colonoscopy needed if a positive result arises, but that’s not the case. Health insurance will either cover the at-home test or a colonoscopy. If the person who chooses an at-home test receives a positive result, they will need a diagnostic colonoscopy, which will not be covered by their plan since they chose the at-home test as their original screening choice. Thus, bypassing the at-home test and scheduling a colonoscopy is the best way to save time, money and prevent colon cancer.
Younger people have a 94 percent five-year survival rate for early-stage disease. For people with late stages of the disease, the survival rate can be as low as 20 percent Early diagnosis, is the difference between life and death. Boseman learned in 2016 that he had Stage 3 colon cancer, according to an Instagram post announcing his death. Experts say patients with Stage 3 have an approximate 60 to 80 percent survival rate, depending on a number of factors, including whether the cancer is responsive to chemotherapy.
Rates of colorectal cancer are higher among Black communities. From 2012 to 2016, the rate of new cases in non-Hispanic Black people was 45.7 per 100,000, about 20 percent higher than the rate among non-Hispanic white people and 50 percent higher than the rate among Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders. Alaska Natives had the highest rate: 89 per 100,000.
Colon Cancer Symptoms:
- bloody stool or bleeding from the rectum
- constipation, diarrhea or a change in bowel habits
- dark sticky feces
- feeling anemic
- abdominal pain or cramps
- nausea or vomiting
- unexplained weight loss
Whether you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, please call us and schedule a colonoscopy if you are aged 45 or older or meet any of the aforementioned risk factors. It could mean the difference between life or death.
5 Signs You Need to See a GI Doctor
Everyone endures some stomach pain or trouble once in a while — but how do you know if it’s something that will pass, or if you should bring your concerns to a gastrointestinal specialist? Recurring pain is a telltale sign of something amiss…and sudden pain is a warning sign, too. So, don’t ignore your body telling you when things are wrong!
See a gastrointestinal doctor if:
1. Your abdomen hurts
Whether it’s a sudden, intense pain or gradual pain, upper and lower abdominal pain can signify a myriad of ailments, so it’s best to check with your GI doctor to determine the cause before things potentially get worse. Anything from appendicitis to colon cancer to inflammatory bowel disease can all present with abdominal pain.
2. Your bowel movements change
You may think it’s because of something you ate — and you may be right. But a change in bowel movements can signify a larger problem that needs to be treated. Any signs of bloody stool, diarrhea, gas, bloat, and constipation can be symptoms of your intestinal system having problems — and we can help determine why.
3. You have a family history or risk factors for colon cancer (or are 45+)
It’s there in the back of your mind, so let’s get a jump on taking preventive measures to screen you for colon cancer: Including scheduling your colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is a virtually painless 30-minute procedure to look at your colon and see any potential growth, abnormalities or concerns — including pre-cancerous polyps, which can later be removed. Colon cancer is highly preventable, and regular colonoscopies can reduce the risk.
4. You have consistent heartburn, acid reflux, or GERD (Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease)
It’s just because you ate something spicy, or sour, or something, you tell yourself. But, really — WHY is your body reacting that way? It’s not normal, so your body is trying to tell you that something is wrong. GERD and that constant burning sensation you feel can damage your esophagus…which can eventually lead to difficulty swallowing.
5. You suspect lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity, or Celiac disease
We all know that what we eat (or don’t eat) can impact our health and how we feel. Sometimes, our bodies can’t process things like lactose or gluten — which are in many foods (and even medicines and lip balm). And it’s difficult to conclusively determine that on our own without some testing to find out exactly what the issue is. In addition, Celiac disease can lead to malnutrition, and cause symptoms like seizures, infertility and more.
“As gastrointestinal specialists, we know that many of the symptoms our patients have are indicative of a treatable issue,” said Dr. Gehad Ghaith at Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C. in Troy Michigan. “There is no need to suffer in silence. We can help and you can live a happy, healthy life!”
Schedule now with Gastrointestinal Specialists, PC and Endoscopy Center
We’re ready to determine what’s wrong and help you feel better. You can request an appointment at Gastrointestinal Specialists, PC and Endoscopy Center today!
Low Carbohydrate, Plant-Based Diet Could Prevent Glaucoma
A new study suggests a diet rich in plant-based fats and proteins and low in carbohydrates could reduce the risk for glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness.
Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve and affects more than 60.5 million people globally. Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common form of the disease and is associated with abnormally high eye pressure due to a reduced ability of the eye to regulate fluid drainage.
According to new research from the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, reducing carbohydrate intake and increasing plant-based proteins and fats can lower the risk of POAG with early central vision loss by 20 percent.
Plant-Based Diet Helps Prevent POAG
Researchers analyzed data from more than 185,000 participants of three cohort studies between 1976 and 2017. The researchers hypothesized that substituting protein and fat for carbohydrates would help maintain optic nerve function.
The participants answered health-related questions and completed food frequency questionnaires every two to four years. The team looked for patterns in carbohydrate intake across plant-based and animal-based fats and proteins, as well as other sources.
Plant-based sources gave more favorable results in preventing POAG than animal-based sources for a low-carbohydrate diet.
Diet Cannot Reverse Glaucoma
Dr. Louis R. Pasquale, co-corresponding author and deputy chair for ophthalmology research for the Mount Sinai Health System, said, “It’s important to note that a low-carbohydrate diet won’t stop glaucoma progression if you already have it, but it may be a means to preventing glaucoma in high-risk groups. If more patients in these high-risk categories—including those with a family history of glaucoma—adhered to this diet, there might be fewer cases of vision loss.”
Dr. Pasquale asserts a low carbohydrate diet is therapeutic for many other conditions such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. However, more research is necessary as this was the first study looking at how diet relates to POAG development, and it was an observational study and not a clinical trial.
What is Your Glaucoma Risk?
Did you know certain individuals are at increased risk for glaucoma? Here are some of the risk factors for glaucoma:
- Family history of glaucoma
- 45 years of age or older
- History of elevated inner eye pressure
- African American
- Diabetes
- Nearsighted
- Farsighted
- History of steroid use
Take a moment to complete the Glaucoma Risk Assessment to determine if you are at elevated risk for glaucoma.
Call Your Ophthalmologist for a Comprehensive Eye Exam
There is no cure for POAG, but your eye doctor can detect glaucoma early if you stay current with your annual comprehensive eye exams.
Glaucoma rarely presents symptoms in the early stages, so schedule a comprehensive eye exam with your eye doctor to discuss your vision health. Make annual eye exams a part of your preventive care so you can enjoy clear vision for years to come.
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