Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Gastrointestinal Doctor

September 21, 2023 by Emily Grant

When you come to see us at Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C., we want to get to the bottom of what’s going on, and we will do everything we can to make you feel comfortable and get all the answers you need. Don’t forget to ask all these questions to make sure you have a firm understanding of how to best take charge of your gastrointestinal health!

1.What tests do I need?

To properly diagnose your symptoms and get you on the path to feeling better, we’ll probably need to run tests. Depending on your symptoms, medical history, and concerns, we’ll discuss which tests are appropriate. From endoscopies to imaging, we’ll tailor the approach to your unique situation.

2.What lifestyle changes should I make?

Your gut health is intricately tied to your lifestyle (and things like ultra-processed foods affect your gut). We’ll talk about dietary tweaks, exercise routines, stress management, and even sleep patterns that can have a positive impact on your gastrointestinal well-being.

3.What do my symptoms mean?

That gurgling, bloating, or discomfort you’ve been feeling isn’t fun, and means that something is making your gut unhappy. We will figure it out together, and then we can explain what those symptoms could signify and how we can address them head-on.

4.What is my exact diagnosis?

Clear communication is key, so we will break down your diagnosis in simple terms so have a thorough knowledge of what your exact condition means and completely understand what’s going on – like the difference between IBS and colon cancer.

5.What is the cause of my diagnosis?

Understanding the “why” is just as crucial as knowing the “what.” We’ll delve into the underlying causes of your diagnosis, whether it’s an infection, inflammation, or something else, so that you know how to best alleviate the cause if possible – and how to prevent it from happening again if it’s acute.

6.What other symptoms should I look out for?

Sometimes you’ll have additional symptoms, and you’ll need to be aware of anything new going on that may mean you have something else going on, or potentially if things are progressing.

7.What should I expect with my diagnosis?

It’s important to know what’s ahead, so you can know how to take care of yourself property – and when to come back in for further testing or treatments. Knowledge is power, so make sure you know what’s ahead.

8.What are my best treatment options?

Depending on your diagnosis, there may be varying treatment options we can come up with to make you feel better and have your digestive tract running more smoothly. Know all your options.

9.What are the risks, benefits, and side effects associated with each treatment option?

Because you may have several options for treatment for your gastrointestinal distress, it’s important to discuss the benefits and potential drawbacks to each of them, that way you can work with us to make the best decision for you and your health.

10.When should I schedule my colonoscopy?

If you’re in the gastrointestinal office and haven’t had a colonoscopy yet, your answer may be now. Even if you’re younger than 45, it may be time to get a scope in your gastrointestinal tract to fully see what’s going on, and do our best to prevent colon cancer.

Schedule your appointment now

If your abdomen is in any sort of distress, schedule your office visit now with Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C. in Troy, Mich., so we can take care of things before they potentially get worse.

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Vote for Nurse Laura Curtis to Win HeroesFIRST Award

September 12, 2023 by Emily Grant

In a momentous development, Nurse Laura Curtis from the Center for Digestive Endoscopy has been selected as one of the final 10 candidates for the distinguished Annual HeroesFIRST Campaign by ImageFIRST. With the nationwide voting process already underway—lasting from September 25 to October 13, 2023—community members and patients are being called upon to actively participate.

Vote for Laura Curtis

From Over 400 Nominees to Top 10: The Remarkable Journey

The Center for Digestive Endoscopy is bursting with pride as Nurse Laura Curtis moves from being a nominee to a finalist in this prestigious campaign. This rapid ascent highlights her unwavering commitment to patient care and exemplifies the values that the Center stands for: Being Respectful, Being Safe, Being Honest, and most significantly, Being Remarkable.


Contextualizing the Achievement: A Look at the Numbers

Data lends weight to this momentous occasion. Out of a competitive field that included more than 400 nominees from across the nation, Curtis secured a spot among the top 2.5%, affirming her standout performance in healthc

are.


The Impact of Your Vote: Beyond Individual Recognition

Winning the HeroesFIRST Campaign comes with a total prize fund of $15,000 aimed at enhancing patient care and healthcare services. Your vote for Nurse Laura Curtis is not just an endorsement for an individual healthcare worker; it is a strong statement in support of the caliber of healthcare services offered at the Center for Digestive Endoscopy.


Community Engagement: Why Your Participation Matters

As a vital healthcare facility in the Orlando area, the Center for Digestive Endoscopy emphasizes the significance of community involvement. Your vote in this critical stage of the HeroesFIRST Campaign can materially influence the continuing standard of care and service that the Center aims to provide.

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Study: Healthy Eating Impacts Colon Health, Planet Earth

August 31, 2023 by Emily Grant

Leading health agencies recommend people eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains for their health.

Studies have shown consuming plant-based foods may reduce the risk of colon or rectal cancer and have other health benefits.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), eating healthy has several benefits. It helps you live longer and lowers your chances of developing serious health problems. These health problems include heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

According to recent research, individuals who followed a diet that prioritized environmental sustainability had a 25 percent lower risk of mortality throughout a follow-up period exceeding three decades.

Diet Plan May Reduce Cancer Deaths

Several trendy eating plans promote consuming plant-based foods. This new research references the Planetary Health Diet as beneficial to both the body and the planet.

The EAT-Lancet Commission developed the Planetary Health Diet in 2019. This plan recommends filling your plate with more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes. The plan also emphasizes eating smaller portions of meat, fish, eggs, refined cereals and tubers in your diet.

“We proposed a new diet score that incorporates the best current scientific evidence of food effects on both health and the environment,” Linh Bui, MD, said in an American Society for Nutrition news release. “The results confirmed our hypothesis that a higher Planetary Health Diet score was associated with a lower risk of mortality.”

Dr. Bui is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Based on this diet, researchers created their own Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI). Researchers used the index to analyze outcomes in two large cohort studies in the U.S. featuring more than 100,000 participants.

People with higher index scores had lower risks of death from cancer or cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disease and respiratory diseases.

More research is needed to understand how people with different health conditions, religious restrictions and limited access to food are affected.

In addition to lowering mortality risks, consumption of the recommended foods also may reduce impacts to the environment.

“A sustainable dietary pattern should not only be healthy but also consistent within planetary boundaries for greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental parameters,” Dr. Bui said.

Screening Key to Colon Health

Everyone is at risk for colorectal cancer (CRC), regardless of age. You can protect your colorectal health with a healthy diet plan, exercise, avoiding alcohol and not smoking.

Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Undergoing screening may help avoid numerous instances of CRC.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends anyone at average risk start screening for colorectal cancer at 45. If there is a record of the disease in your family or you have had precancerous polyps, consider getting screened sooner. If you have digestive complaints, talk to your doctor regardless of your age. It is important you have troublesome symptoms evaluated.

Although there are several colon cancer screening options, colonoscopy is the preferred method. During a colonoscopy, a gastroenterologist examines the entire length of the colon for polyps or abnormalities. A doctor can find and remove precancerous polyps during the same procedure.

If you’re 45 or have symptoms, talk to your doctor and schedule a colonoscopy to protect your colon health.

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Regular Yoga Practice May Improve Bone, Joint Health

August 31, 2023 by Emily Grant

Yoga is one of the best activities for maintaining flexibility, improving joint health and reducing chronic pain.

September is National Yoga Month. It’s a time to celebrate yoga’s health benefits and promote a peaceful and wellness lifestyle. More than 10 percent of American adults have tried yoga at some point in their lives. Many people try yoga to boost their mood, relieve stress and enhance concentration. However, studies are showing yoga may have a significant impact on overall mind and body wellness.

Yoga Combines Physical and Mental Wellness

“Yoga” comes from the Sanskrit word “yuj,” meaning “to unite, join or connect the mind, soul and body.” It originally began in India as a spiritual practice, but now, it’s an $80 billion industry.

The power of yoga may lie in its integration of physical poses (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation (dyana). Yoga, tai chi and qigong are all known as “meditative movement” practices because they combine physical and mental techniques.

Recent research shows that yoga may provide the following benefits:

  • Relieve back pain, neck pain and osteoarthritis
  • Promote weight loss
  • Help people to quit smoking
  • Reduce depression and anxiety symptoms
  • Improve mood, sleep and emotional balance
  • Relieve symptoms of menopause

In one study, untrained volunteers improved their muscular strength at the knee and elbow by 10-30 percent after just eight weeks of practicing yoga. The participants also improved their hip, ankle and shoulder strength by 13-188 percent.

Benefits and Risks of Yoga

Many types of yoga styles exist, and all promote health benefits. Some styles of yoga, like hatha yoga and Iyengar yoga, focus on holding various poses for several breaths. Alignment of the body is essential, and it requires time and practice to learn the correct form.

Vinyasa yoga connects movements and teaches you to “flow” from one pose to the next. Ashtanga yoga includes a specific sequence of postures to progress through and emphasizes meditation.

It is important to learn yoga from a qualified instructor and talk to your doctor before you begin. Using correct props like straps and blocks can help you maintain balance and avoid falls and sprains.

One of the most popular types of yoga is hot yoga, practiced in 104-degree heat. Although some people love to “sweat it out,” dehydration and overheating are risks.

If you have pre-existing conditions like knee or hip injuries, hypertension, lumbar spine disease or balance problems, you may not be a good candidate for yoga. Your doctor may recommend a different type of physical activity.

Call Your Orthopedist for an Appointment

Yoga may help reduce joint pain and enhance flexibility, but it may not be enough to restore joint mobility. If you are experiencing joint pain, call your orthopedist to make an appointment. Your doctor can suggest treatment options and help you make the best decision for your health. If you require surgery, your doctor will go through all the procedure details so you fully understand the risks and benefits.

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Exercise May Preserve Your Vision, Prevent Eye Disease

August 31, 2023 by Emily Grant

Physical activity is one of the best choices you can make for your health. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, regular exercise can help preserve your vision and lower your risk for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.

Older Americans Are at Risk for Vision Loss

September is Healthy Aging Month. Getting older does not mean you have to lose your vision. Vision loss and blindness are not a normal part of aging. As you age, however, you are more susceptible to eye disease. By 2030, an estimated 7 million Americans will be visually impaired, but lifestyle changes could prevent many cases.

Study Shows Exercise May Prevent AMD in Mice

Previous studies suggest moderate exercise can reduce the risk of glaucoma and diabetic eye disease. A new study published in Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science suggests exercise may help prevent blood vessel overgrowth in degenerative eye conditions like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the leading causes of vision loss in adults older than 50. AMD destroys the sharp, central vision necessary for reading, driving and seeing clearly.

Researchers analyzed two groups of six mice, but only one group used an exercise wheel. After four weeks, the research team found the active mice experienced 45 percent less eye damage than the inactive mice.

“The new study is exciting because it supports previous findings suggesting a link between exercise and prevention of AMD,” said American Academy of Ophthalmology spokesperson J. Kevin McKinney, M.D., MPH (AAO).

How Much Exercise Is Enough?

If you have not been physically active recently, you might not know where to start. It may be best to begin with just walking 30 minutes per day. You should always consult a physician regarding exercise to choose safe activities that will not increase your risk for injury.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults get 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly. What you do for exercise may depend on your age, cardiovascular fitness and level of mobility. You may consider activities like swimming, cycling, tennis, pickleball, hiking or yoga.

Other Ways to Keep Your Vision Healthy

Besides exercising, you can adopt other positive habits to prevent eye disease and keep your vision clear:

  • Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
  • Quit smoking or don’t smoke.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Control chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes.
  • Wear sunglasses, sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat when you are in the sun.

Finally, schedule yearly comprehensive eye exams for the whole family. An eye exam with dilation is as essential for your vision as daily exercise. Your ophthalmologist will test your visual acuity and screen you for common eye diseases like glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts. If you need medication or a procedure, you can begin treatment immediately.

Commit to caring for your vision during Healthy Aging Month. Call today to make an appointment with your ophthalmologist.

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Idalia Update: Kissimmee Endoscopy Center to Reopen Aug. 31

August 30, 2023 by Emily Grant

We are pleased to announce that following the temporary closure due to the state of emergency declared in anticipation of Tropical Storm Idalia, our center is now open and ready to serve you. Your safety and well-being remain our utmost priority, and we look forward to providing you with the care you need.

All appointments that were scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 30, will be promptly rescheduled.

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Idalia Update: Eye Surgery and Laser Center to Reopen Aug. 31

August 29, 2023 by Emily Grant

We are pleased to announce that following the temporary closure due to the state of emergency declared in anticipation of Tropical Storm Idalia, our  centers are now open and ready to serve you. Your safety and well-being remain our utmost priority, and we look forward to providing you with the care you need.

All appointments that were scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 30, will be promptly rescheduled.

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Idalia Update: Center to Reopen Aug. 31

August 29, 2023 by Emily Grant

We are pleased to announce that following the temporary closure due to the state of emergency declared in anticipation of Tropical Storm Idalia, our center is now open and ready to serve you. Your safety and well-being remain our utmost priority, and we look forward to providing you with the care you need.

All appointments that were scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 30, will be promptly rescheduled.

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Idalia Update: Center to Reopen Aug. 31

August 29, 2023 by Emily Grant

We are pleased to announce that following the temporary closure due to the state of emergency declared in anticipation of Tropical Storm Idalia, our center is now open and ready to serve you. Your safety and well-being remain our utmost priority, and we look forward to providing you with the care you need.

All appointments that were scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 30, will be promptly rescheduled.

 

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Idalia Update: Center to Reopen Aug. 31

August 29, 2023 by Emily Grant

We are pleased to announce that following the temporary closure due to the state of emergency declared in anticipation of Tropical Storm Idalia, our center is now open and ready to serve you. Your safety and well-being remain our utmost priority, and we look forward to providing you with the care you need.

All appointments that were scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 30, will be promptly rescheduled.

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