Getting regular colon screenings is among the most effective ways to protect against or identify colorectal cancer in the early stages. But unfortunately, only 54% of all adults who are eligible have not had an initial colonoscopy screening. The American Cancer Society (ACS) suggests that people with average odds of developing colorectal cancer should start getting regular screenings when they are 45 years of age.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that millions of people in the U.S. are not receiving colon and rectal cancer screenings as recommended, reducing the chance for early identification. To learn whether you are eligible for an initial colonoscopy, reach out to the team at Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates to set up an appointment. Our experienced gastroenterologists regularly provide colonoscopy screenings for New Orleans, LA patients.

What happens during a colonoscopy procedure?

A colonoscopy is a type of colon and rectal cancer screening that is conducted with a small, flexible device fitted housing a tiny camera. It is placed through the rectum and into the colon by a Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates physician to screen for polyps (growths) or other suspicious areas that may be present. If abnormalities or other concerns are found, they can be taken off during the procedure for further testing. Individuals are administered a quick-acting and safe sedative prior to the screening procedure to help them to sleep through the process comfortably.

What can you expect after having a colonoscopy?

Once your first colonoscopy procedure is complete and you wake up from the anesthesia, our New Orleans, LA gastroenterology team will explain any findings with you. Should we identify a condition that calls for a more extensive investigation, our GI doctors will devise a comprehensive treatment plan customized to your medical needs. We strongly suggest that you have a family member or friend drive you home following your colonoscopy. After all impacts from the sedative have subsided, you should be able to resume your regular routine and diet within a 24-hour period. Some patients have minor symptoms after the fact, like abdominal discomfort, gassiness, and bloating for the first few days. If you experience severe pain, fever, or bleeding, please seek immediate medical attention.

How often are colonoscopy exams recommended?

It is recommended that patients who have an average chance of developing colon or rectal cancer begin to undergo screenings at age 45. Regular colon cancer screenings should take place at ten-year intervals until age 75. Following age 75, every individual should consult with their digestive health specialist regarding screening protocols that best meet their medical needs.

Why should you receive routine colorectal screenings?

Although a colonoscopy can detect early stages of colorectal cancer, the evaluation can also help doctors find potential reasons for other digestive health conditions, including long-term fluctuation in bowel movements (constipation and/or loose stools), causes of abdominal/anorectal discomfort, hemorrhoids, abrupt or unexplained weight loss, and bleeding and anemia. The highly experienced gastroenterologists at Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates offer advanced techniques and procedures to diagnose and address many diseases of the digestive system.

How to schedule your initial colonoscopy in New Orleans, LA

Periodic colon and rectal cancer screenings are the recommended option for detecting this serious GI concern. If you are age 45 or older with an average risk of colon cancer, we encourage you to arrange for your initial colonoscopy screening at Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates soon. To set up your colonoscopy consultation with one of our New Orleans, LA gastrointestinal doctors, reach out to our team now.

If you get stomach aches periodically, you’re not alone. An upset stomach can result from all sorts of things from stress and diet to more serious matters such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Celiac Disease or colon cancer.

While there is no comparison to care from one of our board-certified gastroenterologists, many stomach aches can easily be treated at home. However, if you have persistent issues or pain, or a sudden onset of severe symptoms, medical treatment is always your best option.

8 Natural Remedies for Stomach ache

Peppermint

The menthol in peppermint leaves has been used as a natural pain reliever to aid stomach problems for centuries. Try drinking it in a tea, chewing on mint gum, or sucking on a peppermint candy.

Apple Cider Vinegar

While not delicious to taste on its own, this pantry staple can be taken by the tablespoon to neutralize an upset stomach. Try mixing it with a cup of water and a teaspoon of honey. The acids inside may help decrease starch digestion, and keep the bacteria in the gut healthy.

Ginger

Ginger has been used since ancient times to help treat stomach aches, and science proves it truly can help. Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory and can be consumed in various forms – candy, capsules, or as tea – but fresh ginger root is best when looking to rid stomach pain.

Chamomile Tea

Long known as a sleepy time remedy, chamomile also can act as an anti-inflammatory, which can help stomach muscles relax and reduce the pain of cramping and spasms. Try it while sitting up before heading to bed.

Drink Water

When in doubt, drink fluids. Throughout the course of the day, we lose water through sweating, breathing, and digesting. It’s crucial to replace the water we lose to prevent dehydration and keep the GI tract running smoothly. Dehydration can cause bloating due to electrolyte imbalances and can halt digestion and cause constipation. Check out these 5 creative ways to increase water intake for some simple ways to up your H2O.

Exercise

Walking, cycling, and gentle stretching yoga with deep breathing can all be helpful when dealing with a stomach ache. Try gently twisting your back while sitting on your feet for starters as this can help relive gas pains.

Apply Heat

Try putting a heating pad or hot towel on your abdomen. The heat can help relax the muscles and relieve cramping. Taking a hot shower or bath with Epsom salts may also help.

Try the BRAT Diet

If the stomach pain is persistent, try sticking to the basics with the “BRAT” diet – that is, bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. These foods are low in fiber and high in binding, and none of them have salt or spices, which can aggravate the stomach more. It’s a great way to help combat nausea and diarrhea.

When to visit us

A stomach ache isn’t always a sign that you need to head to a doctor. But when it lasts for more than a few hours and it’s coupled with symptoms such as blood in your stool, rectal bleeding, paleness, weight loss, difficulty swallowing, yellowing of the eyes, or severe nausea or vomiting, then it’s best to visit us as soon as possible. Persistent stomach problems can indicate a more serious issue.

Have questions? Our team of doctors at Gastrointestinal Specialists, PC in Troy, Michigan have the knowledge and experience finding and treating diseases in the gastrointestinal tract to ease your stomach issues. Give us a call at (248) 273-9930 or request an appointment today.

Comprising the longest section of the large bowel, the colon draws water, vitamins, and minerals from remnants of food that have migrated through the small intestine. The last segment of the large bowel is called the rectum. In some cases, polyps (small growths) arise in the innermost lining of the colon or rectum. The growths typically present very little to no symptoms, although intestinal growths can progress into cancer of the colon or rectum. Since they are very similar, colon and rectal cancer are commonly classified together.

Unfortunately, colorectal cancer is the second leading reason behind cancer-related deaths in women, following breast cancer. Regular colorectal cancer screenings can discover evidence of colon and rectal cancer early on and considerably enhance a patient’s health prognosis. You can set up a colonoscopy procedure and additional related colon cancer screenings at Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates. If you’re seeking a skilled gastrointestinal (GI) doctor in New Orleans, speak with our team to learn how we can help combat colorectal cancer and other GI problems.

What should I know about colon and rectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or rectum. A large number of people with colon cancer will have no indications of the disease in the beginning stages. The people who do present signs or symptoms might have the following:

• Ongoing abdominal cramping or pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blood in stool or rectal bleeding
• Changes in bowel habits

In the event that you or a family member is having one or more of these indications, get in touch with Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates in New Orleans right away to meet with a gastroenterologist.

In cases where a cancerous growth extends into the external wall of the colon or rectum, it can infiltrate the circulatory or lymph system and spread to additional regions of the body. Individuals whose colon cancer has metastasized outside of the colon and rectum have substantially smaller survival rates than people whose cancer remains confined, making early detection and treatment key.

What are risk factors for colon and rectal cancer?

Even though anyone can get colon or rectal cancer, certain factors can place some patients at an increased risk. A number of risk factors for colorectal cancer are listed below:

• A genetic predisposition to colorectal cancer
• Use of alcohol
• A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease
• Tobacco use
• Being over 50
• Being overweight

Those with a higher risk or who have any of the above factors should get periodic screenings for colon or rectal cancer, such as through routine colonoscopy procedures.

How is cancer of the colon detected?

A variety of forms of colon cancer screening may be used for people who are at risk of developing the condition. Such screening procedures include blood work, fecal analysis, and colonoscopy testing. To conduct a colonoscopy, a GI doctor inserts an elongated scope housing a mini camera through the colon and rectum to check for any concerns, such as polyps in the colon. When colon polyps are discovered during the conduction of a colonoscopy, they can often be removed at the time of the procedure and tested for evidence of cancer. Once colon cancer has been diagnosed, more involved assessments can be carried out to ascertain if the cancer has spread and to help determine the optimal treatment approach.

What are the treatment options for colon cancer?

The process of treating a patient’s colon or rectal cancer will be based on the location, size, and stage of the cancer and could include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation treatment. Polyps in the colon might take up to 10 or 15 years to become malignant. This means that if a polyp is detected early, it can commonly be removed before it turns cancerous. For individuals who have localized colon or rectal cancer and undergo treatment, there is a five-year survival rate of approximately 90%. Receiving a periodic colonoscopy can be lifesaving, but nearly 30% of U.S. adults are not up to date on their screenings for colorectal cancer.

Protect your health with a colorectal cancer screening in New Orleans, LA

Colon or rectal cancer may be the second-highest cause of cancer death among women, but it is very treatable when detected early and simple to identify with a regular colonoscopy. Patients who are over the age of 50 or who have other medical concerns that elevate their chance of colon and rectal cancer should book a regular colonoscopy screening. Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates incorporates the most cutting-edge techniques to improve gastrointestinal health, and our team of skilled physicians operates on a patient-first mindset. To find out additional details about colon and rectal cancer or other gastrointestinal health conditions, get in touch with Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates in New Orleans today.

Breast cancer is a serious health condition that affects many patients yearly in the United States. Given that October is dedicated as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, there’s no better time than now to discover more about the risk factors surrounding this medical concern, as well as methods of prevention and the importance of scheduling routine screenings.

Breast cancer, like all forms of cancer, results when aggregates of cells begin dividing irregularly and at an accelerated rate, rather than progressing through their normal life cycles and biological course. Many times, breast cancer initiates in the milk-generating structures (lobules) when DNA in these cells begins to transmute. In situations where mutated cells develop more rapidly than the body can expel them, the mass of cells aggregate to form a tumor.

Growths or tumors in the breast can form in many parts of milk-secreting tissues, or even in the adipose (fat) tissue that surrounds and shields the milk-producing structures of the breast. In rare instances, cancer of the breast can even spread to further regions around the body, including the digestive tract. Under such circumstances, the physicians at Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates in New Orleans, LA collaborate with other practitioners to provide care for any metastatic concerns involving the gastrointestinal tract. Ensuring an early breast cancer diagnosis is key to preserving your overall health and wellness.

What are breast cancer risk factors?

One out of every eight women will have breast cancer at some point in their lives, making it one of the most common forms of cancer impacting women. Medical experts estimate that more than 280,000 women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis throughout 2021, and almost 50,000 will receive a noninvasive carcinoma in situ breast cancer diagnosis.

Most women diagnosed with breast cancer are over 55 years of age, although breast cancer is still among the chief fatalities among women between the ages of 35 and 55. Non-Hispanic African American women and non-Hispanic white women are the most likely to get cancer of the breast, although Latina women and African American women have a higher probability of dying due to the condition.

Genetic factors also pose an elevated risk of developing the condition. Individuals with relatives who have had cancer of the breast are more likely to develop the condition. Though hereditary factors, being female, and being of older age cannot be changed, there are several things that an individual can do to prevent or lessen the chance of developing breast cancer.

Other breast cancer risk factors include:

• Poor diet
• Radiation treatment before age 30
• Becoming pregnant after age 30
• Being overweight
• Drinking alcohol
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
• Breastfeeding for under a year
• Inadequate amounts of vitamin D
• Tobacco use
• Taking hormones, such as chemical contraceptives
• Lack of exercise

Improving your lifestyle while receiving regular screenings can help lower your risk of breast cancer, particularly if any of the above factors apply to your life.

What are the various types of breast cancer?

Cancer of the breast is diagnosed as either invasive (also called malignant) or noninvasive carcinoma in situ. Cancers that are noninvasive are groups of cells that generally grow in one location, splitting haphazardly but not becoming modified in excess of their basic functions in further ways. These cells can be removed through a surgical procedure and are less likely to reform.

Invasive types of tumors are more concerning since they expand branches of cells into the neighboring area, in some cases even disconnecting pieces of themselves and propagating throughout the body. Malignant cancers could also produce and give off harmful hormones and other factors that negatively impact bodily tissues.

The general classifications of breast cancer include:

• Angiosarcoma: Angiosarcoma is a rare variation of cancer that starts in the blood vessels, lymph vessels, or skin.
• Lobular carcinoma: Lobular carcinoma begins in the glands that produce milk, or lobules. When this type of carcinoma is in situ, it is regarded as the least threatening type of breast cancer and is less likely to grow. However, it should still be treated as specified by a doctor, as its existence might indicate the likelihood of more tumors developing as time goes on. In cases where lobular carcinomas are diagnosed as invasive, they are generally more detrimental and are particularly hard to detect.
• Phyllodes tumors: Phyllodes tumors are non-malignant and begin in connective tissue fibers.
• Paget disease of the nipple: This type of breast cancer originates in the nipple or the areola.
• Ductal carcinoma: Originating in the milk ducts, this type of cancer can be invasive, meaning it spreads out of the milk duct into other parts of the breast. It can also be in situ, which means it remains in the milk ducts. If detected in the very early stage, in situ cancers are generally simple to address; however, they are at risk of becoming malignant without treatment. Nearly 80% of breast carcinomas are diagnosed as invasive ductal carcinomas.

About breast cancer screenings

The most effective way to prevent breast cancer, in addition to maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle, is to schedule screenings for breast cancer routinely. These screenings often include a clinical assessment along with a mammogram, or x-ray imaging of the breast tissue designed to discover areas of dense tissue within the breast. Regular breast exams are particularly essential for detecting breast cancer in the early stages and enabling the greatest possible treatment results. You can also carry out breast cancer self-exams and should do so on a regular basis. A doctor can demonstrate how to do this correctly.

Arrange for a breast cancer screening

The experts at Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates are honored to celebrate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and urge residents in New Orleans, LA to help protect their overall health by having regular examinations for breast cancer. It is vital to have routine breast cancer screenings with a qualified physician to determine the most effective options for diagnosing breast cancer and the best way to protect your health.

Fact: Everyone has hemorrhoids.

You were born with them, and you’ll die with them, and we all just hope they won’t cause too much trouble along the way!

In fact, hemorrhoids are a normal part of our anatomy, and only become an issue if they are symptomatic.

But what are hemorrhoids exactly?

Simply put, hemorrhoids are veins around the anus or lower rectum that have become swollen and inflamed.

Hemorrhoids are common in both men and women and about half of all people will have an issue with them by the time they turn 50. Risk factors include frequent straining to have a bowel movement, pregnancy, obesity, aging, and chronic constipation or diarrhea.

Hemorrhoids can happen either inside the anus (internal hemorrhoids) or under the skin around the anus (external hemorrhoids).

External hemorrhoids are dilated veins covered by the skin near the anal opening. They may be felt as bumps or lumps near the outside of the anus, and become painful when they are swollen with blood.

Internal hemorrhoids are dilated veins that form inside the rectum and above the anal opening. However, in some situations they may enlarge and protrude out of the anus.

Symptoms of hemorrhoids

Both external and internal hemorrhoids may have no symptoms. But if they do, typical things to watch for include:

• Bright red blood covering the stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl
• Itching
• Pain and discomfort

Additionally, external hemorrhoids may also produce a hard, painful lump that is a result of blood pooling or clotting under the skin.

What is the treatment for hemorrhoids?

There are a variety of treatment options for hemorrhoids, such as a warm bath and use of a cream or other medicines. Patients with large hemorrhoids or ones that have not responded to other treatments may need banding or surgery.

Even if you choose to treat hemorrhoids at home, you should see us if there is any rectal bleeding to rule out a more serious condition like colorectal cancer.

Preventing hemorrhoids

There are a few ways to easily manage the symptoms of troublesome hemorrhoids:

• Making sure you have regular, healthy stools. Stools that can pass easily decrease pressure and straining, which are both risk factors for hemorrhoids.
• Increasing dietary fiber intake and drinking plenty of water.
• Emptying your bowels soon after the urge to go occurs.
• Not sitting on the toilet for more than 15 minutes, as this causes blood to pool down in those veins.
• Adding exercise to your routine and walking regularly.

Contact us

If hemorrhoids are causing issues in your daily life, it may be time to visit us a seek treatment options.

Life is too short to feel miserable! Call Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C. in Troy, Michigan at (248) 273-9930 or request an appointment here.

Dr. Sunana Sohi was recently featured on WHAS11. She highlighted the importance of colon cancer screening coupled with the heartwarming work our center brings to our patients each day.

Click here to watch the full video.

The Physicians and Staff of Columbia Gastroenterology Associates Announce the retirement of Dr. Marsh Willis:

Dr. Willis has provided excellent care to his patients in Columbia since arriving in this city over thirty years ago.  Prior to that, he served his country as a physician in the United States Army where he completed his specialty training at the Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. We celebrate his distinguished career and dedication to his countless patients in this community.

His partners at Columbia Gastroenterology are grateful for his service and are honored to call him a friend and colleague.  We wish him great things in his future. We also assure his patients that the remaining physicians and staff are prepared to continue his record of providing excellent, compassionate care for his patients.