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.
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.
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.
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 two endoscopy 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.
by Emily Grant
Orlando Magazine’s Hall of Fame has recently inducted Dr. Henry Levine, founder of the Center for Digestive Health, in a momentous occasion celebrating 40 years of commitment to healthcare excellence. This remarkable recognition is further complemented by the consistent accolades received by Dr. Samuel Giday, recognized for 10 years, and Dr. William Mayoral, recognized for 14 years as top physicians by their peers.
The Hall of Fame recognition for Drs. Levine, Giday, and Mayoral is an emblem of the center’s unwavering dedication to quality care and innovation in the field of Gastroenterology. It stands testament to the collective effort of the entire team in achieving regional and national prominence.
What sets the Center for Digestive Health apart goes beyond awards:
Our Hall of Fame achievement, while extraordinary, is merely a reflection of our daily commitment to excellence, innovation, and compassionate care.
At the Center for Digestive Health in Orlando, FL, we don’t just seek accolades; we strive to make a difference in the lives of our patients every day. With a legacy enriched by recognition, trust your gut to the experts who have been at the forefront of digestive health care for four decades. Call the phone number on the screen and schedule an appointment with one of our gastroenterologists today.
by Emily Grant
When HCA Florida Citrus Hospital pharmacist was diagnosed with stage 2a colon cancer, she found herself in a whirlwind of medical appointments and confusion. It was Dr. Trupti Shinde who stepped in, ordered the life-saving colonoscopy, and later supported the creation of a community mission to educate others. Discover how this diagnosis led to the formation of the Citrus Colorectal Cancer Foundation, and how Dr. Shinde’s compassion and expertise played a crucial role in this inspiring story. Your click could lead to better awareness and potentially save lives.
by Emily Grant
Imagine your gut as the gas tank that fuels your body, and your colon plays a crucial role in making sure everything runs smoothly – keeping those fuel lines clean. How do you know when it’s healthy, or when you may need a tune-up?
Visiting your gastrointestinal doctor regularly and going in anytime you have changes in your digestive system (because you have a gastrointestinal doctor on your list, right?) helps keep an eye on things, but here are some tips to help in the meantime:
Just like a well-oiled engine, a healthy colon keeps things moving regularly. If you’re experiencing normal bowel movements at least once a day (though some people might be fine with slightly less), chances are your colon is happy. On the flip side, irregular bowel habits, constipation, or diarrhea might be signs of an unhappy colon that needs a tune-up.
You diet can help your gut feel (and move) better – and adding fiber is a surefire way to get things more regular. You could take fiber supplements, but a tastier option is to incorporate whole grains whenever you can for white flour (in breads, pastas, oats, and rice) or add nuts, apples and strawberries into your snacks or meals.
And it only takes some simple changes to your diet to help keep it cleaner. With these 5 Easy Ways to Swap Out Processed Foods for a Healthier Gut, you’ll notice a difference in how you feel and how your body is running on the fuel it’s being given.
And the biggest aid? Water. Add fruit to it, or drink it by itself to cleanse your digestive tract.
A bloated belly is like running on low-quality fuel: It slows you down and feels awful. You know that feeling you get when you eat certain foods (like ultra-processed foods, which are bad for your gut and can potentially increase your risk of colon cancer).
A healthy colon keeps gas and bloating in check, so if you’re not feeling like a human balloon after meals, your colon is probably doing its job. If, however, you have bloat after eating often, it’s probably time for a tune-up.
A colonoscopy is vital to maintaining your colon health.
Once you have hit a certain mileage (45 years old) – or if you have risk factors or family history of colon cancer – it’s time for a scheduled cleaning: A colonoscopy. Not only will it clean things out, but it can detect and remove any suspicious growths or polyps before they turn into something more serious.
A colonoscopy prevents colon cancer. And even if you may not want to think about it, you should know these colon cancer facts to save your life.
When your car starts making a funny noise, you notice and start paying attention, taking it in if it persists. The same goes for your gut. If you’re experiencing unexplained changes in your bowel habits, persistent abdominal pain, or unintentional weight loss, your gut might be sending distress signals. Don’t ignore these warning signs – think of it as your “check engine” light coming on.
Visit your gastrointestinal doctor so we can take a look and diagnose the issue (and fix it so your body is running more efficiently).
To keep your gas tank happy, you need good quality fuel. The same applies to your colon: A balanced diet rich in fiber, fruits, veggies, and whole grains can do wonders for your gut health. Fiber acts like a gentle scrubber, cleaning out your colon and preventing constipation.
Contact Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C. in Troy, Mich. for all your gut needs: From diagnosing pain in your abdomen, bowel irregularities and an uncomfortable stomach, to treating conditions like GERD, IBD, Celiac Disease and more, our knowledgeable and caring doctors can get your body running (and feeling) better. And when it’s time for a colonoscopy, you can have it done here in our surgical center instead of a hospital (saving you time, energy, and money).
by Emily Grant
Gut microbiota is the largest microbiome in the body, with at least 1,000 types of bacteria and 100 trillion microbes. Gut bacteria maintain intestinal stability and can influence susceptibility to disease. No one’s microbiota is the same as another person’s. The composition can change over time, especially in the early stages of certain diseases.
A recent study found that the microbiome of colon tumors varies depending on whether the patient was diagnosed with early-onset (younger than 50) or late-onset disease.
According to new research from Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, the microbiome of patients with colon cancer can differ greatly.
The research team found the type and amount of viruses, fungi and bacteria in the colon tumors of patients differed notably depending on whether the patients were diagnosed with early-onset colon cancer compared to late-onset colon cancer.
Colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, with approximately two million new cases per year worldwide. Colon cancer rates have been decreasing in adults older than 55, partly due to increased screening for the disease. However, colon cancer incidence continues to rise in young adults. In the last 10 years, the number of young adults with colon cancer has doubled, and the incidence rate has increased from 11 percent in 1995 to 20 percent in 2020.
Only about 10-15 percent of colon cancers are hereditary, so most colon cancers develop due to environmental factors. In recent years, scientists have placed more importance on the gut microbiome as a factor contributing to the development of colon cancer. Microbes can cause inflammation in tissues, which can mutate DNA cells in the colon lining. Scientists also know a certain type of bacteria called Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nuc) can suppress the immune response in the colon and make it more prone to cancer.
The study examined 917 types of fungi and bacteria in the colon tumors. F. nuc was one of the most common types of bacteria, and it appeared in about 30 percent of both early- and late-onset colon tumors. The researchers were also able to categorize specific bacteria and fungi that were more common in early-onset tumors while others were more common in late-onset tumors.
“Younger people with colorectal cancer have more biologically aggressive cancers, and whatever survival benefit they have by being younger is outweighed by the more aggressive tumor biology. We also know that, for the most part, genetics doesn’t explain the recent rise in young-onset disease,” said Benjamin Adam Weinberg, MD. “But we have trillions of bacteria residing in our body, including in our gut, some of which are implicated in the development of colorectal cancer; hence, we think the microbiome may be an important factor in the development of the disease, as it is involved in the interplay between a person’s genetics, environment, diet and immune system.”
Dr. Weinberg is an associate professor of medicine at Georgetown Lombardi. He hopes the new study may provide insight into why young-onset colon cancer rates continue to increase. With the current findings and plans to continue the research, the team wants to continue to explore how the microbiome and other factors influence colon cancer development. Analyzing the gut microbiota could provide critical information on how to target this microbiome for more sophisticated treatments.
When was the last time you had a colonoscopy? The American Cancer Society recommends that all adults at average risk for colon cancer begin screening at age 45, but certain risk factors may require earlier screening. Talk to your doctor about getting screened at appropriate times.
by Emily Grant
Staying physically active is essential to maintain a healthy weight and prevent chronic conditions; however, over-exercising can lead to injury and mobility loss.
Exercise is one of the healthiest choices you can make. People of all ages need regular physical activity for overall health and disease prevention, but it is important to exercise safely.
Over-exercising and poor form can cause tenderness and pain. An overuse injury occurs when bones, muscles, ligaments or tendons are continually stressed and do not have time to rest. Although there are many types of overuse injuries, some are quite common.
Runner’s knee
Runner’s knee develops when muscle tightness pulls the kneecap in the wrong direction and causes friction between the kneecap and the bone behind it. If you do not stretch your hamstrings, hip flexors or IT band, you could be at risk for runner’s knee. Some symptoms of runner’s knee include dull pain and weakness in the kneecap.
You can prevent runner’s knee by proper stretching before and after activities like running and biking. Strengthening the quadriceps can also keep the knee in alignment and prevent injury.
ITBS
Iliotibial band syndrome, or ITBS, is one of the most common overuse injuries of the leg. The iliotibial band is a tendon that goes from the hip to just below the knee. ITBS can take a long time to heal, often one to two months.
You can prevent ITBS by stretching the IT band before and after exercise and wearing athletic shoes with good support.
Plantar fasciitis
The plantar fascia joins the toes to the heel bone and provides support to the foot arch. Similar to shin splints, plantar fasciitis develops from tight calf muscles. Weakness in the knees, hips or ankles can also cause plantar fasciitis, as well as limited mobility of the big toe. This condition can cause inflammation and pain in the heel area. The best way to prevent this condition is to wear shoes that allow you to fully extend your big toe at the joint.
Anyone can develop an overuse injury, but senior adults are affected the most. As we age, tendons and ligaments lose elasticity and joints become less lubricated. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should call an orthopedist:
Don’t wait for your pain to subside before calling to make an appointment. Your doctor can advise you on whether your injury is caused by overuse or improper exercise techniques. You may be able to make modifications to your daily activities to bring healing and restore full mobility.
Sometimes it is necessary to have an orthopedic procedure to get relief from your symptoms. If you need to schedule surgery, consider an ambulatory surgery center (ASC). ASCs are a wise option because they provide high-quality patient care in a comfortable setting at a reduced cost. Ask your orthopedist about scheduling your orthopedic procedure.
by Emily Grant
“Good nutrition is essential in keeping current and future generations of Americans healthy across the lifespan,” according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Studies have shown plant pigments found in many common foods positively impact eye health and functional vision.
Lead author Jacob Harth said new research examines the ability of lutein and zeaxanthin to improve how well a person can see a target clearly over distance.
“A lot of the research into macular lutein and zeaxanthin has focused on health benefits, but from a functional perspective, higher concentrations of these plant pigments improve many aspects of visual and cognitive ability,” Harth told Medical Xpress. Harth is a doctoral candidate in the University of Georgia’s College of Public Health.
The study focused on how an athletes’ visual range may improve by eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. The paper was published in Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews.
Lutein and zeaxanthin add yellow or orange color to various common foods. These foods include cantaloupe, pasta, corn, carrots, orange or yellow peppers, fish, salmon and eggs. Other excellent sources of these carotenoids include broccoli, peaches, mangoes, berries, pumpkin, spinach and Swiss chard.
Eating foods with these antioxidants protect the retina from blue light damage. They act like sunglasses for the eye and protect the macula in the retina’s center. These pigments also help prevent age-related macular degeneration.
“Many athletes already take measures to reduce the impact of blue light through eye black or blue blocker sunglasses, but eating more foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin can improve the eye’s natural ability to handle blue light exposure,” Harth said in Medical Xpress.
The way individual bodies absorb and use lutein and zeaxanthin varies, but the overall health benefits are evident, according to the study authors.
“We have data from modeling and empirical studies showing that higher macular pigment in your retina will improve your ability to see over distance.” Harth told Medical Xpress. “The application for athletes is clear.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, healthy eating may help people live longer, as well as provide the following benefits:
In addition to eating nutritious foods, getting a comprehensive eye exam is also important for your overall health. Many diseases show early signs in the eyes, including cardiovascular health and diabetes.
During the exam, your doctor will check for the following:
Eye doctors recommend regular screenings beginning at age 40 or earlier if you have eye disease risk factors, including family history, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Protect your vision by eating a healthy, balanced diet, and schedule your comprehensive eye exam with your ophthalmologist.