In an effort to provide the cleanest air amid COVID-19, our center is utilizing Beyond by Aerus to remove 99.97 percent of particles in our facility.

The Energy Star certified Beyond Guardian Air provides better-than-HEPA filtration and proprietary ActivePure® Technology which is based on technology originally developed by NASA researchers for use on the International Space Station. It is recognized exclusively, worldwide, as Certified Space Technology.

About Beyond by Aerus

 

• The only air purifier on the market that uses an exclusive combination of technologies, including ion generation, a better-than-HEPA filter, Photocatalytic Oxidation and a proprietary ActivePure® Technology.
• ActivePure® Technology has been university tested and proven effective on bacteria, viruses, mold and fungi in the air and on surfaces
• Eliminates common triggers of allergies, asthma, and irritants to those with sensitive immune systems
• Uses ActivePure® Technology to create pristine air quality and attack contaminants
• on surfaces
• Ten unique features include technologies to capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.01 micron
• Whisper-silent operation and purifies up to 2,000 sq. ft.
• Destroys VOCs, smoke and odors without ozone
• ActivePure is the only air purification technology in the world granted the Certified Space Technology seal by the Space Foundation

Click here for more information on how we are providing the best air quality for our patients.

Say everything is moving along just fine in your digestive tract. No pain, no complaints, no issues.

That’s great!

But you still need to start getting regular screening colonoscopies by the time you are 45 years old (or sooner, if needed).

Why? Think of it like a regular dental examination: If you keep up with your cleanings and checkups, you can head off potential problems before they turn into bigger issues.

Colonoscopies are painless and take about 30 minutes — and it could save your life.

“We want patients to have regular screening colonoscopies because we know they can help save lives,” said Dr. Mary Jacob of Gastrointestinal Specialists P.C. in Troy, Michigan.

Here are the Top 5 Reasons Why You Need a Colonoscopy:

1. Colon cancer and polyp screening

The No. 1 reason everyone should get a colonoscopy at age 45 (or sooner depending on your family history) is for the prevention and early detection of colon cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women have a lifetime risk of developing colon cancer. But because of colonoscopies, colon cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented — and early detection is lowering the colon cancer death rate.

(Adults ages 50 and older may qualify for a Colonoscopy Now, to save time and money!)

2. You have a family history of colon cancer

When your blood relatives have something like colon cancer, it increases the risk that you could develop it as well. Colon cancer screenings like a colonoscopy keep an eye on things and are often performed at a younger age as a preventive measure.

3. You have a personal history of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Patients with Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s colitis are at increased risk for developing colon cancer. Even if feeling great and your disease is controlled on medical therapy, surveillance colonoscopies are needed every 1-2 years to screen for early changes of colon cancer.

4. Rectal bleeding
Anytime you’re bleeding, you need to know why. If you fall and cut yourself, you know the reason you’re bleeding. Internally, it’s harder to know why, and often presents as rectal bleeding or in bloody stool. Not all rectal bleeding is from hemorrhoids. You may want to ignore the signs, but don’t: An evaluation by one of our doctors at Gastrointestinal Specialists P.C. in Troy, Michigan and colonoscopy can help determine the source of the bleeding, and catch a problem early.

5. Change in bowel habits

You know the foods you eat contribute to what happens in your digestive tract, so you may excuse the after effects of what you’ve been consuming — but there could be underlying issues requiring treatment by a GI specialist that are making things worse. And those issues may be able to be treated, making you more comfortable and healthier.

Schedule your colonoscopy

If you’re 45, or have one of the other Reasons Why You Need a Colonoscopy, you can request an appointment online now at Gastrointestinal Specialists. Our outpatient endoscopy center offers increased convenience and financial savings compared to a hospital.

Boston 25 News published a story interviewing a Middlesex Digestive Endoscopy doctor who has been seeing a spike in advanced cancers in younger people who fear seeing a doctor during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Middlesex Digest Endoscopy’s Dr. Raj Devarajan encountered a 29-year-old Chelmsford woman who felt something was off with her body. After scheduling a colonoscopy with Devarajan, she learned she had Stage 4 colon cancer.

“Because of COVID, routine care has been ignored,” Deverajan said to Boston 25 News. “Patients only go when they absolutely have to go.”

Devarajan says he and his fellow gastroenterologists are seeing patients as young as 25 years old being diagnosed with cancer.

“The American Cancer Society has recognized that, and now moved the normal screening from 50 to age 45,” Devarajan said.

If Americans continue to put off seeing a doctor for routine care, Devarajan believes COVID-19 won’t be the country’s only health concern.

“I think by December we are going to see more advanced cancers because they haven’t been screened,” he said.

To Read the Full Story and To Watch the Video, Click Here.

Geetanjali Akerkar, M.D., AGAF, describes herself as a compassionate healer, lifelong learner and strong advocate for her patients. A gastroenterologist who specializes in liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome and a dedicated mother of three, Dr. Akerkar is the chief financial officer of Digestive Health Specialists and president of Lowell Anesthesia. She is also a founding member of Northeast Endoscopy and sits on the board of directors. Dr. Akerkar has an appointment at Harvard Medical School and serves on the board of the Massachusetts Gastroenterology Association.

“Medicine allows me to utilize several strengths at once,” she said. “It requires quick analysis and interpersonal skills.”

She is particularly passionate about gastroenterology (GI) because she treats patients of all ages and a diverse range of conditions including infections, autoimmune diseases and cancer.

“I have to think of the whole body because symptoms could represent disease in other organ systems outside the GI tract.”

In other words, gastroenterology keeps her on her toes.

Excellence in GI Care

Dr. Akerkar’s patients say she is a gifted communicator, a quality she honed many years ago while on the competitive debate team at Cornell University.

“Patients tell me I explain things well and that I’m compassionate and direct,” she shared.

These qualities are essential in a physician, especially when delivering difficult news like a cancer diagnosis.

“My compassion gives patients hope, and the directness gives a sense of urgency to move forward with treatment.”

Providing excellent care is one of many reasons Castle and Connolly named Dr. Akerkar a Boston Top Doctor for the third year in a row. This honor motivates her to offer cutting-edge technology to her patients.

“Medicine and gastroenterology are moving targets,” Dr. Akerkar said. Ongoing training allows me to provide my patients with a wide variety of therapy options as well as the most current treatments.”

Most recently, Dr. Akerkar trained to learn a procedure called Barrx, a new radiofrequency ablation treatment for Barrett’s esophagus. A strong advocate for her patients in the Greater Boston area, Dr. Akerkar explained, “My mission is to provide the best local care to my patients and the best access to tertiary centers. Because I’ve lived in Boston for 20 years, I have the connections to get patients with rare conditions to the right facility for complicated surgeries.”

Being a Female Physician Leader

Several women played a key role in mentoring and encouraging Dr. Akerkar on her path to becoming a female physician leader. Teresa Wright, M.D., head of liver disease at the University of California San Francisco and president of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, mentored her as a GI fellow and invited her to co-write and publish. Doree Barton, M.D., founder of Digestive Health Specialists, provided an example of strong female leadership and dedication to quality patient care. Dr. Akerkar is currently the only female in her practice group, and she attributes the mutual respect among the physicians regardless of gender to Dr. Barton’s pioneering efforts on behalf of female physicians.

Dr. Akerkar said she feels privileged to dedicate her time to support the professional growth of other female physician leaders. The American Gastroenterological Association hosted a Women’s Leadership Initiative, and Dr. Akerkar participated in its inaugural year by working collaboratively to improve gender equality and to foster sponsorship and mentorship among GI physicians. She recently accepted an invitation to serve on the President’s Council of Cornell Women where she will promote advancement of female faculty and students. Women are still underrepresented in gastroenterology and other procedural and surgical specialties, but Dr. Akerkar sees this as an advantage.

“Many women shy away from procedural or surgical specialties because of the call schedule. While the training process is more rigorous, these fields seek women and therefore, present unique opportunities.”

Before she joined Digestive Health Specialists, Dr. Akerkar took time off to be at home with her twins until they were a year old. Because she was well-trained, she was confident in her ability to return to a full-time position. Her practice prioritizes family, and she has tried not to miss sports games and concerts.

“I tell my female mentees, ‘If you have a passion for a specialty, go for it. When you are one of few, you actually have more control over your schedule.’”

Young female physicians must be heeding her advice because women will comprise about half of the next generation of GI fellows. Dr. Akerkar is amused by the tangible evidence of this change – as she sees the line for the women’s restroom growing longer every year at annual GI meetings.

Is there a way to nourish your digestive system for a healthier colon and happier gastrointestinal tract? Yes! The foods you eat can impact how your body responds — and it’s simple to incorporate these three things into your diet now.

“Diet is one of the easier things you can change to have a healthier colon,” said Dr. Jared Bortman, a gastroenterologist with Gastrointestinal Specialists PC & Endoscopy in Troy, Mich.

“I encourage my patients to increase their vegetable intake for the fiber benefit, as well as studies suggesting an association between vegetable consumption and reduced colorectal cancer risk.”

1. Whole Grains

Regularly including whole grains in your diet improves bowel health by helping to maintain regular bowel movements. At least half of the grains you consume should be whole grains — if not more.

Diet Tip: Start adding whole wheat, barley, oatmeal, whole wheat bran flakes (and gluten-free whole grains, including quinoa, buckwheat, brown rice and wild rice) to your daily rotation.

2. Water

The majority of our body’s functions depend on water — so it makes sense that drinking plenty of water improves our overall health, especially when it comes to the digestive system. Drinking enough water keeps stools soft, and ensures things are flowing throughout your gastrointestinal tract more smoothly. The more the foods you eat are watered down, the less chance of them getting “stuck” and causing you discomfort as they make their way out.

Diet Tip: Definitely don’t skip getting at least 64 ounces of water a day! And fruits and veggies are high in water content like watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, peaches, oranges, cucumber, lettuce, zucchini and soup.

3. Fiber

An apple a day keeps the doctor away — when it comes to the fiber in them that helps to keep your gastrointestinal tract clean. Vegetables are generally high in fiber and some fruits are too, so make sure you are getting a variety of veggies and fruit every day. Fiber removes waste by grabbing debris left behind in the colon on its way through your digestive system.

Diet Tip: Munch on seeds, nuts, brown rice, couscous, green beans, dark leafy vegetables, zucchini, celery, cabbage, raisins, apples, strawberries and oranges.

Take Care of Colon Issues

At Gastrointestinal Specialists PC & Endoscopy Center, we provide colon cancer screenings and colonoscopies, in addition to treating other gastrointestinal concerns to help you feel better and treat diseases. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.