Dr. George Wandling Chosen As Investigator for the Ivantis Hydrus FDA Clinical Trial

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Congratulations to Dr. George Wandling, who was chosen as an investigator for the Ivantis Hydrus FDA clinical trial. Dr. Wandling’s selection makes North Metro Surgery Center one of only 15 sites across the United States active in this prospective, post-approval FDA study, designed to determine the ongoing safety of the device. It will soon be wrapping up its 24-month study results.

The Hydrus is a MIGS (Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery) device implanted at the time of cataract surgery and is used to treat mild to moderate open angle glaucoma.

Dr. Wandling is a leading expert on cataract and cataract/MIGS surgery and we’re proud of his accomplishments, research, and contributions to the field of ocular surgery.

MSN: Ryan Reynolds Gets Polyps Removed After ‘Potentially Life-Saving’ Preventative Colonoscopy

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Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are letting cameras get up close and personal, for a good cause.

In a new video from colon-cancer-awareness organization Lead from Behind in association with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, the two actors and soccer-club owners share their experience getting preventative colonoscopies.

To read the full story on MSN, click here.

5 Easy Ways to Swap Out Processed Foods for a Healthier Gut

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Processed foods were created to help us out in our busy lives – because when it’s already processed, it’s generally quicker to prepare and has a longer shelf life (so we don’t have to go grocery shopping as often, in theory).

But anything that’s boxed and processed isn’t usually the healthiest choice for your gut. When foods are processed, they often take away nutrients and add excess salt and sugar and other preservatives.

Many of us have become accustomed to having processed foods as staples in our diets – but there are a few easy swaps you can start making now to adjust to a cleaner, healthier diet! (Even when you’re eating out!)

5 Easy Ways to Swap Out Processed Foods for a Healthier Gut

1.Trade white rice for brown rice

White rice is processed, therefore many of the nutrients are stripped during that process. Brown rice has more fiber (which we know is great for making you feel full and keeping your colon healthy!).

White rice also has more sugar in it – whereas brown rice contains nutrients like magnesium, niacin, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B1.

The nutrients kept in brown rice make it an energizing, healthy carb. Many diets that promote “no carbs” consider that most of the carbs many people eat are processed…but brown rice can be a great staple in your diet to fuel your body, clean your gut, and help you feel full with less food.

Plus, whole grains can help lower your colon cancer risk!

(And if you’re up for it, try trading your brown rice for even healthier options like quinoa or barley!)

2.Replace soda with carbonated water and fresh fruit (or just water!)

Nixing soda can be a hard habit to break – but if you make up your mind to do it, you can!

You still want the fizzy drink? Use carbonated soda water (without all the chemicals, sugar, and caffeine) and throw in fresh fruit. Cut up limes or lemons and have them on hand to squeeze and toss in there. Or maybe mix it up with some watermelon and cucumber for a refreshing twist!

Even replacing one can of soda with a glass of water can help start the trend. Water makes you feel full and replenishes lost fluids from your body to keep you from getting dehydrated.

Plus it doesn’t have all the sugars that your gut has to process.

3.Use real potatoes instead of instant flakes

When you’re coming home from work, it can save you a lot of time to make instant potatoes instead of cooking fresh ones. But, the real potatoes are worth it: They pack more nutrients, and can reduce inflammation in your colon.

Plus, the potatoes from the ground can help you feel more full! White potatoes are a resistant starch, full of probiotics that benefit gut health. Plus they’re high in potassium and low in sodium.

And if you’re thinking you want to stay away from carbs, fresh potatoes that are prepared in a healthy way are fresh and not processed, so they’re not as bad as you may think.

4.Instead of chips or cheesy crackers: Cheese and whole-grain crackers

Cheese has a way of filling you up and giving you nutrients to give you energy and stay full longer! When you are on the road and need a snack, it’s easy to pick up a bag of something…but fresh cheese and whole-grain crackers will work better!

Animal products like cheese contain protein and Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, and calcium – all essential to a healthy diet. And having enough calcium in your diet can help to prevent colorectal cancer. 

And the whole-grain crackers, although processed, are a better choice than chips for what you’re looking for in a snack. Whole grain, or multi-grain crackers, have fiber in them to keep you feeling full longer, and to help clean out your gut.

5. Switch from boxed cereal to oatmeal

You may have heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but you’re rushed in the morning so you just grab a quick bowl of cereal (or breakfast bar) to make sure you get something to start your day. Why not try some oatmeal? Not the packaged kind, but the rolled oats kind, and add your own toppings!

When you’re choosing your oatmeal, steel-cut oats are the least processed type, full of the most original nutrients. But rolled oats (or old-fashioned oats) and quick oats are still good for your gut!

Quick oats are the most processed of the types of oats, because they go through a partial-cooking process to make them a couple minutes quicker to cook than rolled oats. Make sure if you have Celiac Disease that you talk to your doctor first.

Oats – and oatmeal – are fantastic grains packed with fiber to help you feel full longer, give you energy, and keep your gut healthy (with everything flowing smoothly).

Toss some cinnamon on your oatmeal, or some cut up strawberries and blueberries. Or maybe some peaches, or bananas and walnuts. The healthy, flavorful choices are plentiful to make your breakfast something you (and your gut) look forward to!

Get your gut checked today!

When you use these 5 Easy Ways to Swap Out Processed Foods for a Healthier Gut,

make sure to talk to your GI doctor about any changes in your diet, so you can take into consideration things like gluten and lactose that may affect your gut health.

Give Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C. a call today and we can do a couple quick tests to help you determine what’s going on in your gut, have a healthier gut, and help you with any gut discomfort you may have.

 

Why to Get Tested for Celiac Disease

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Even if your symptoms are depression, anxiety, migraines, infertility or other non-stomach issues

It may seem like a “trendy” thing to be gluten-free, but the truth is, nearly 1 in 100 people have Celiac Disease which gluten triggers, bringing on pain and discomfort – and many don’t even know that’s the cause.

Those of us who have Celiac Disease can benefit greatly from reducing or eliminating gluten from our diets – but diagnosing and treating Celiac Disease is important not only because of treating the discomfort, but Celiac Disease can also increase your risk of coronary artery disease and small bowel cancers, along with increasing your chance to have other autoimmune diseases.

That’s why it’s vital to listen to your gut (literally) and get tested if you have symptoms.

What IS Celiac Disease?

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease, where your body basically attacks the small intestine when it discovers a harmful intruder: Gluten.

Gluten is a protein in wheat, rye, and barley – so it’s in a lot of foods and beverages we consume. And even small amounts of gluten can trigger the response in your intestine.

It’s a bit of a family disease, too:  1 in 10 people with it have related family members who also have Celiac Disease.

In addition, Celiac Disease can develop at any age, once you’ve consumed gluten. And it make take a while for you to notice that the symptoms may be those of Celiac Disease. If left untreated, Celiac Disease can lead to a myriad of additional health problems – ones you may not think it could be a trigger of.

A strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment for Celiac Disease, and it’s life-long.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease

The symptoms of Celiac Disease vary greatly, and as a result can be difficult to diagnose purely by symptoms – which is why a blood test is the best way to determine if your issues can be cause by Celiac Disease.

Some common symptoms include:

    • Abdominal pain
    • Bloating and gas
    • Cognitive impairment
    • Constipation
    • Diarrhea
    • Depression and anxiety
    • Fatigue
    • Headaches or migraines
    • Infertility
    • Iron-deficiency anemia
    • Itchy, blistery skin rash
    • Joint pain
    • Missed periods
    • Mouth ulcers and canker sores
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Seizures
    • Weight loss

 In kids, common symptoms can include:

    • Abdominal pain, bloating, and gas
    • Anxiety and depression
    • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities
    • Chronic diarrhea
    • Constipation
    • Damage to tooth enamel
    • Delayed puberty
    • Failure to thrive
    • Fatigue
    • Headaches
    • Iron-deficiency anemia
    • Irritability
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Pale, foul-smelling stools
    • Seizures and lack of muscle coordination
    • Short stature
    • Weight loss

Diagnosis of Celiac Disease

Since there are many other symptoms of Celiac Disease that you may be seemingly unrelated – such as Vitamin deficiencies, migraines, difficulty losing weight, and others – it’s a good idea to ask your doctor to be tested for Celiac Disease when discussing your ailments…especially if you have a family member that has Celiac Disease.

Get tested now for Celiac Disease

At Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C. in Troy, Michigan, we can test you in our offices for Celiac Disease. Contact us today or schedule your appointment online.

 

Diet and Colon Cancer Risk

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Research shows that eating a high intake of whole grains can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and colon cancer.

Diet and Colon Cancer Risk

Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Diet, physical activity and weight are risk factors for the disease, so lifestyle changes can significantly decrease colon cancer risk.

Eating red meat and processed meat can be highly inflammatory and are linked to a greater risk of colon cancer. A new study by Nordic researchers published in Nutrition Reviews reinforces that a plant-based diet is more globally sustainable and can help prevent chronic disease.

“Both scientists and the public seem to have missed the yet untapped potential that grains can contribute towards a more sustainable food system and a healthier population,” said Professor Rikard Landberg from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. “Even small changes in dietary patterns could make a large difference both to environment and health and grains could represent one of these possibilities” (Medical Xpress).

What is a Whole Grain?

A 2017 study found that eating approximately 90 grams, or three servings, of whole grains per day reduces the risk of colon cancer by 17 percent. But what is a whole grain?

All grains are either whole grains or refined grains. Refined grains have some or all of the bran layers removed during processing, which reduces the fiber and the micronutrients. Whole grains are made from intact seeds that include three parts:

  • Bran: the outer skin of the seed
  • Endosperm: provides nutrition to the germ
  • Germ: the embryo, which can germinate into a new plant

A high-fiber diet is essential for colon cancer prevention because fiber increases stool bulk, dilutes carcinogens in the stool and decreases the transit time of digested food in the intestines (NCBI).

How to Add More Whole Grains to Your Meals

You can make small, daily changes to your meals to add more whole grains to your diet.

Breakfast—Start your day with oatmeal, a high-fiber whole grain, and top it with almonds, chia seeds, ground flax seeds and dried fruit.

Lunch—Buy bread made with 100 percent whole wheat flour for making sandwiches.

Dinner—Choose brown rice instead of white rice, and try to eat different whole grains such as barley, quinoa, millet, buckwheat and bulger.

Schedule a Colonoscopy to Prevent Colon Cancer

Eating more whole grains can help prevent colon cancer, but the best way to lower your risk is to get a colon cancer screening. A colonoscopy is the gold standard for colon screening because your doctor can view your entire colon and remove any polyps or abnormal tissue during the exam.

The American Cancer Society now recommends that all adults at average risk for colon cancer begin screening at age 45 instead of 50. However, some individuals at high risk may need to get screened earlier. Call your gastroenterologist today and start your year off right with a preventive screening.

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Get Active, Control Blood Pressure

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Regular aerobic exercise during midlife could mitigate chronic diseases and ailments as people age, according to scientists in a new study.

Physiologists in Texas and Japan offered strong indications in this study that improvements in blood pressure control and vascular elasticity may contribute to better cerebral blood flow regulation in middle-aged people.

“Our findings have an important clinical implication,” said co-researcher Takashi Tarumi, Ph.D., of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Tsukuba, Japan. “Regular aerobic exercise during midlife may prevent these age-related chronic diseases and extend a healthy lifespan.”

Exercise Now, Reduce Chronic Diseases Later in Life

A higher risk of stroke and dementia later in life, along with a greater risk of age-related chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease and diabetes, are linked to midlife arterial stiffness.

The study researched the potential health benefits of being active and improving age-related deteriorations of cerebral blood flow regulation, short-term blood pressure control and arterial elasticity (a noninvasive measure of cardiovascular risk).

The study was conducted in 20 middle-aged athletes (ages 45 to 64) with at least 10 years of aerobic training, 20 adults younger than 45 and 20 middle-aged sedentary adults.

Researchers defined regular aerobic exercise as running, cycling, swimming or multimodal training with moderate-to-vigorous intensity.

According to the study, middle-aged endurance athletes have better control of blood pressure and higher arterial elasticity than sedentary adults in the same age group. These athletes also displayed comparable levels of these factors compared to young adults, thanks to regular aerobic exercise.

Stop Joint Pain Before it Stops Your Activities

Staying active is essential for your health. If you are experiencing chronic pain, sometimes you need the help of a professional before the pain interrupts your active lifestyle.

You don’t have to live with joint pain or back pain. Our orthopedists specialize in treating chronic pain, arthritis, and many bone and joint conditions. Click here to see a list of specialists located at centers across the country.

Unexpected Benefit of Cataract Surgery: Lower Dementia Risk

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Surgeons perform 10 million cataract surgeries worldwide each year, making it one of the most common surgeries performed today. Usually, it only requires local anesthesia, and patients can resume their normal activities within days. The success rate of cataract surgery is high, and the risks are minimal. In addition, new research finds that cataract surgery could offer an unexpected benefit: a reduced risk of developing dementia.

Cataract Surgery Lowers Dementia Risk by 30 Percent

“The Adult Changes in Thought” study observed 5,000 patients over age 65. Based on data from 3,000 participants, the research team discovered that patients who had cataract surgery experienced a 30 percent lower risk of developing dementia than patients who did not have cataract surgery. Additionally, they found the reduced risk of dementia lasted at least a decade after surgery.

“This is really exciting because no other medical intervention has shown such a strong association with lessening dementia risk in older individuals,” said Cecilia S Lee, M.D., associate professor and Klorfine Family Endowed Chair in ophthalmology at the University of Washington School of Medicine and the lead researcher for the study.

The study did not provide specific reasons why cataract surgery would lower the risk for dementia. However, the research team surmises patients may receive “higher quality sensory input” following cataract removal, which could delay, prevent or slow the development of dementia (UW Medicine).

Other Health Benefits of Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery can offer many other health benefits besides a lower risk for dementia.

  1. Higher quality of life. After cataract surgery, you can resume the activities you enjoy like reading, gardening, cooking and driving a car. One study found that cataract surgery improves the quality of life by 36 percent.
  2. Fewer injuries. Improved vision reduces the risk of falls and fractures, a significant cause of injury in older adults. Cataract surgery also improves night driving and reduces the risk of car accidents.
  3. Increased independence. Seeing clearly can allow older adults to maintain their freedom of living safely at home. You can preserve your independence when you can read medicine bottles, recipes and street signs.

Make an Appointment with Your Ophthalmologist

Cataract surgery offers so many benefits for your vision and overall health. Make clear vision a top priority this year by making an appointment with your ophthalmologist. Call today to make an appointment.

Free-Standing Surgery Center in Allentown to Perform their First Robotics Total Joint Replacement

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Outpatient Alternative Allows Patients to Heal in the Comfort of their Own Home

Allentown, PA – On December 15, 2021, Surgery Center of Allentown in Allentown, performed their first robotics total joint knee replacement surgery in their free-standing ambulatory surgery center. The outpatient environment allowed the knee replacement patient to return to their home later in the day and receive ongoing support from a dedicated team of home healthcare professionals and physical therapists.

The knee replacement procedure performed at Surgery Center of Allentown is virtually identical to those performed in a hospital. However, instead of the traditional several day hospital stay, patients recover in the comfort of their home.

“We are excited to offer our patients the chance for a ‘less disruptive’ recovery,” according to Cindy Moyer, Administrator of Surgery Center of Allentown. “Our personalized clinical pathways allow us to customize care to the unique needs of each patient. And our carefully vetted team of healthcare professionals provides the support patients need to recover comfortably in their home.”

Free-standing surgery centers provide patients the same quality care as hospitals, but offer significant cost savings. “Our charges are significantly lower than those of a hospital, which translates for most patients to a significantly lower co-payment and overall cost of care. In the era of high deductible healthcare, patients need high quality care at a more affordable price,” Moyer added.

Outpatient total joint replacements are performed regularly in many parts of the country, and data indicate that in addition to cost savings, patients also experience lower rates of infection and higher overall satisfaction.

Surgery Center of Allentown is dedicated to delivering a superior orthopedic surgery experience by providing compassionate, personalized care to each patient. Some of the most qualified and highly trained surgeons in Allentown choose to do their surgeries here.

If you’re ready to take the first step in treating your joint pain, contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic surgeons.

Study: Diabetes Meds May Help Prevent Glaucoma

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A recent study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology showed positive outcomes when linking a popular class of diabetes medications with glaucoma prevention.

The medications, called GLP-1R agonists (Trulicity and Rybelsus), may also protect against glaucoma in diabetic patients, according to the study.

The results were found by researchers in the Scheie Eye Institute at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, according to a Medical XPress article. The study findings suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists may decrease a diabetic patient’s risk of developing glaucoma by half.

Diabetes and Glaucoma

As January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, it is important to know more about this family of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. Glaucoma affects more than 3 million Americans and is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide.

More than 30 million Americans have diabetes, including 12 million seniors. People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop glaucoma.

Since there is no cure for glaucoma, scientists are researching new ways to prevent and treat the disease.

Study Focus on Diabetic Patients

In the study, researchers looked at retrospective data of 1,961 diabetic patients who were new users of this class of drugs. They then matched them to 4,371 unexposed control subjects, according to a Medical Xpress article. After 150 days on average, 10 patients in the medicated group were newly diagnosed with glaucoma (0.5 percent) compared to 58 patients (1.3 percent) in the control group.

“It was very encouraging to see that a popular diabetes medication could significantly reduce the risk of developing glaucoma, and our study suggests that these medications warrant further study in this patient population,” said Qi N. Cui, MD, Ph.D., with Brian VanderBeek, MD, MPH, both assistant professors of Ophthalmology at Penn.

A Penn Medicine study from 2020 supports the findings, which found that GLP-1R agonists reduced neuroinflammation and prevented retinal ganglion cell death in mice.

Additionally, this class of drugs has shown similarly protective effects against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases in animal models. Currently, clinical trials are underway to test the medications against neurodegenerative diseases, conditions in which cells of the human brain and spinal cord are lost.

Are You At Risk?

Glaucoma affects 3 million Americans and is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. It is important to know if you are at risk. In addition to diabetes, risk factors for glaucoma include:

  • Age 45 or older
  • Family history of glaucoma
  • History of injury to the eye
  • African American
  • History of steroid use, either in the eye (drops) or systemically (orally or injected)
  • Nearsighted (myopic)
  • Farsighted (hyperopic)
  • History of elevated intraocular pressure

Visit an Ophthalmologist

There is no cure for glaucoma. Early detection is of primary importance because there are usually no symptoms until permanent vision loss has occurred.

It is recommended that you schedule a comprehensive eye exam and let your ophthalmologist know if you are at risk for glaucoma.

Low-Fat, Low Inflammation Diet May Help Prevent Colon Cancer

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When it comes to colon cancer, there are many factors that you cannot control. It’s impossible to eliminate risk factors such as age, race and ethnicity, family history, health conditions and genetic syndromes.

Other colon cancer risk factors include obesity, a low-fiber/high-fat diet and a sedentary lifestyle. New research suggests that gender can also influence colon cancer risk. For example, a recent study on mice found that males who eat a high-fat diet can develop harmful gut inflammation, making them more susceptible to colon cancer.

Inflammation and Colon Cancer Risk in Mice

A multi-institutional research team studied male and female mice to compare the levels of an inflammatory marker associated with colon cancer risk. When the mice ate a control diet, males had higher levels of this marker.

When the research team fed all mice a high-fat diet, both genders experienced increased inflammation. However, only females had reduced inflammation when the team combined exercise with a high-fat diet.

“Taken together, these findings suggest that males respond poorly to a high-fat diet, causing inflammation and increased cell proliferation, making them at greater risk for colon cancer,” the research team wrote (Medical Xpress).

How to Eat a Low-Inflammation Diet to promote Colon Health

Even though this study suggests that males are at increased risk for colon cancer, it’s important to remember that anyone can develop the disease. It’s important to take intentional steps to decrease risk factors within your control, like eating a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet.

Begin with removing high-fat, inflammatory foods from your diet. Foods that cause inflammation include refined carbohydrates, fried foods, processed foods, sweetened beverages, red meat and processed meat.

Then, replace inflammatory foods with fresh, nutritious foods that fight inflammation. Here is a list of several foods that do not cause inflammation.

  1. Cruciferous vegetables—Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and kale are rich in antioxidants that fight inflammation and prevent cancer and heart disease.
  2. Berries—Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries have plenty of fiber, vitamins and antioxidants called anthocyanins.
  3. Avocados—A small avocado includes high amounts of fiber, potassium, magnesium and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats that reduce inflammation.
  4. Fatty fish—Salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, tuna and sardines are high in DHA and EPA, two types of omega-3 fatty acids that actively fight inflammation.
  5. Green Tea—This is one of the best beverages you can consume because green tea has a substance called epigallocatechin-3-gallate, an anti-inflammatory.
  6. Turmeric—Turmeric contains curcumin, which is known to reduce symptoms of arthritis and reduce inflammation. To maximize the absorption of the curcumin in turmeric, add black pepper to the dish you are preparing.
  7. Extra virgin olive oil—The Mediterranean diet is getting lots of attention because it contains high amounts of extra virgin olive oil, which reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer and other chronic health conditions.
  8. Dark chocolate—You can still have dessert, but choose dark chocolate! The flavanols in dark chocolate keep inflammation levels low and arteries healthy.
  9. Tomatoes—High in vitamin C and lycopene, tomatoes contain potent antioxidants.
  10. Mushrooms—Lion’s mane mushrooms are mighty in lowering obesity-related inflammation (Healthline).

Call Your GI Doctor to Schedule a Colonoscopy

While a low-inflammation diet can help prevent colon cancer, the best way to lower your risk is a colon cancer screening. There are many methods of screening, but the gold standard is colonoscopy. Unlike a stool test, a colonoscopy allows your doctor to inspect the entire colon and remove any precancerous growths called polyps.

The American Cancer Society recommends that all adults at average risk for colon cancer begin screening at age 45. However, if you are at high risk for colon cancer (history of colon polyps, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s Disease and certain genetic conditions), or if you have digestive symptoms, you should get screened earlier. Call your gastroenterologist today and make an appointment for a colonoscopy.

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