Family History is Biggest Risk for Crohn’s and Colitis

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Talking about irritable bowel disease (IBD) isn’t easy, especially at a family gathering. There’s no better setting in which to have this conversation though, because IBD runs in families. If your family has a medical history of IBD, make it a point to discuss facts about the disease and explain the importance of treatment.

Here are some answers to questions your family members may ask:

What are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis?

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the two most common types of irritable bowel disease, a group of conditions that cause inflammation in the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease can form anywhere along the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. However, ulcerative colitis only affects the colon and the rectum.

How do my genes affect my risk of IBD?

Family history of inflammatory bowel disease is the most influential risk factor for developing IBD. About 12 percent of people with Crohn’s disease and about 9 percent of people with ulcerative colitis have a confirmed family history.

Can I calculate my own risk for IBD?

Your risk for IBD depends on which family member is affected. Having a first-degree relative (a mother, father, brother, sister or child) with IBD increases your risk more than having a second-degree relative (uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, grandparent, grandchild or half-sibling) with the disease. If your mother and your father have IBD, you have a one in three chance of being affected. Your risk for IBD is highest if you have three or more relatives who are affected.

Make an Appointment with a Gastroenterologist

Remind your family that anyone can develop IBD, even if they don’t have a family history of the disease. Both conditions can share symptoms of abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, constipation, cramping, weight loss and urgency to move bowels. Encourage your family members to call a gastroenterologist if they have any of these ongoing symptoms or experience changes in bathroom habits. IBD can also increase the risk of colon cancer, so certain family members may need to get a colonoscopy at a younger age. 

By opening up a conversation about family history and IBD, you can contribute to making this season a happy and healthy one for your loved ones.

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Dangerous Toys That Can Harm Your Children’s Vision

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According to the eye health and safety organization, Prevent Blindness, American children incur an estimated 11,000 toy-related injuries each year. While a minor corneal abrasion may heal quickly, a retinal detachment or corneal ulcer from a toy injury can cause severe eye damage.

Here is a list of some of the types of toys that pose the greatest threat to your child’s vision and how you can keep your child safe when using them:

Sporting Equipment

Problem:

Baseball bats, tennis racquets and lacrosse sticks can cause blunt or penetrating injuries.

Solution:

If you buy sports gear or equipment for your child, ensure that he or she is using proper eye protection and head protection. Always supervise your child outside during practice and play time, and do not allow sporting equipment indoors.

Toy Weapons

Problem:

Light sabers, wands and swords can have sharp edges and cause eye trauma. Dart guns, paintball guns, BB guns and airsoft rifles launch objects that can cause lacerations, increased eye pressure, cataracts and vision loss.

Solution:

Projectile toys are never safe, so avoid purchasing toy guns for children. If you buy any toy that could be used as a weapon, accompany the gift with proper eye protection and require that your child wear the safety glasses when using the toy.

Laser Pointers

Problem:

Laser pointers seem harmless, but eye specialists warn against allowing children to use them. Staring at a laser beam directly or through a mirror can injure the retina and permanently limit central vision.

Solution:

A flashlight is a safer alternative to a laser pointer and poses less risk to the eyes. Remind kids never to shine any type of light into the eyes.

December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month, so commit to purchasing safe, age-appropriate toys for your children this holiday season. If you have a question about the safety of a specific toy, call your ophthalmologist. It is also wise to schedule comprehensive eye exams for the whole family before the year ends. An eye exam with dilation is crucial for optimum eye health because it can detect refraction errors, focusing problems and degenerative eye diseases like cataracts and glaucoma. Call your eye doctor today to make an appointment.

Wrist Tendonitis vs. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Recognizing the Difference

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Wrist Tendonitis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Risk Factors

Many cases of wrist tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome develop from strain due to repetitive motions or using power tools. These risk factors can be limited by taking regular breaks, using better posture or purchasing ergonomic office equipment.

Other risk factors for tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome cannot be controlled. These include:

  • Gender — Women are more likely to develop tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome than men, possibly due to hormones
  • Age — As we age, tendons become less elastic, and nerves are more susceptible to degeneration
  • Arthritis — Arthritis increases risk for both conditions
  • Genetics — Tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome can run in families
  • Injury — A fall or sudden injury could cause tendon or nerve injury

A doctor can diagnose which condition you have, but here’s how to recognize some of the similarities and differences:

Metro Gastroenterology Associates Tops U.S. Average in Colonoscopy Quality

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Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates is the top provider of quality colon cancer screening in the Crescent City and one of the leading centers in the United States. Our centers in Metairie, Westbank and Uptown are nationally renowned for our highly-trained specialists who deliver premier digestive care.

Why can we use these elite terms? When it comes to colonoscopy, the truth is in the numbers. 

We use the premier GI quality registry, GIQuIC, to track three quality colonoscopy measures and compare them to the benchmarks established by the American College of Gastroenterology. MGA’s 2017 quality measures exceed national standards and far surpass other GI centers in southeastern Louisiana. Our numbers are some of the most competitive in the country.

Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates is proud to share our GIQuIC measures to prove our expertise in colon cancer detection and prevention.

Adenoma Detection Rate (ADR) Matters

The goal of a colonoscopy is to examine the colon for precancerous polyps called adenomas and remove them. Your physician’s level of proficiency in adenoma detection and removal is paramount because adenomas have the potential to be cancerous. A removed adenoma, however, is no longer a cancer threat.

Adenoma Detection Rate (ADR) refers to the percentage of patients in whom a GI doctor detects one or more adenomas in screening colonoscopies. Therefore, adenoma detection rate (ADR) is the premier quality indicator in colonoscopies.

The national benchmark for ADR is 25 percent (30 percent for men and 20 percent for women). The MGA centers have an overall average ADR of 39.49 percent.

How ADR Affects Your Risk for Colon Cancer

Choosing an MGA physician with a high ADR lowers your risk of colon cancer. Studies show that for every percentage point increase in your doctor’s adenoma detection rate, your chance of developing colon cancer during the next twelve months decreases by three percent.

Gastro Doctor’s Cecal Intubation Rate Matters

Cecal intubation rate is the second qualifying measure of colonoscopy quality. The cecum is the small pouch connected to the junction of the small intestine and the colon. Cecal intubation rate is the percentage of procedures during which a gastroenterologist can visualize the cecum during the screening.

MGA centers have an average cecal intubation rate of 97.80 percent, compared to the national average of 90 percent.

How Cecal Intubation Rate Affects Colon Cancer Risk

A high cecal intubation rate indicates that, in most colonoscopy patients, the gastroenterologist can examine the entire colon for precancerous polyps, from the cecum to rectum. Choosing an MGA physician for your colonoscopy means you will have a thorough, comprehensive screening and a reduced risk of missed adenomas. 

GI Doctor’s Withdrawal Time Matters

The third quality measure is withdrawal time, the amount of time it takes for your doctor to withdraw the colonoscope from the cecum (the farthest region of the colon) to the rectum (the end of the colon). A meticulous physician who is attentive to detail usually has a longer average withdrawal time.

The national benchmark for withdrawal time is six minutes, but MGA centers have an average withdrawal time of 7.1 minutes.

How GI Specialist’s Withdrawal Time Affects Colon Cancer Risk

Some adenomas are flat, which makes them difficult to detect. MGA specialists are methodical and exacting, meaning they are less likely to miss a small or hidden polyp. Longer withdrawal times are associated with higher adenoma detection rates, which reduces your risk for colon disease.

Schedule Your Colonoscopy with a GI Doctor Near You

MGA is dedicated to providing you with a quality colonoscopy with compassionate, personalized care. We have Gastrointestinal Diagnostic and Therapeutic Centers conveniently located in Metairie, Westbank and Uptown, and all centers are accepting new patients in the Greater New Orleans region. Each outpatient facility is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and utilizes the most advanced GI technology in the industry.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that a colonoscopy is a life-saving procedure. After all, it’s the only type of colon cancer screening that can prevent colon cancer. If you are not considered high-risk, you may only need a colonoscopy once every ten years. Call Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates and put your digestive health in the hands of our experts.

Why Caregiver Support is Necessary After Colonoscopies, GI Procedures

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November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize family members who help support loved ones. It also provides an opportunity for the aging and physically challenged to ask for caregiving help.    

Why a Colonoscopy Requires a Caregiver

Even if you are in good health, you’ll need to ask for a caregiver for your colonoscopy. Most colonoscopy procedures include sedation or anesthesia to provide comfort and prevent pain. Sedation can make you groggy, uncoordinated and weak. It can feel similar to having too much alcohol because it impairs your ability to react quickly or even stay awake.

Doctors do not recommend patients drive, use power tools, sign legal documents, conduct business or make important decisions until at least one day after sedation. In fact, the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) revised their guidelines for monitored sedation to say pre-op assessment must include verification of a caregiver over 18 to drive the patient home.

In our busy society, it isn’t easy to ask for help, even from a family member. However, you should plan to ask a relative or loved one to come with you to your colonoscopy, remain in the facility and drive you home afterward.

Ambulatory Surgery Centers Can Help Coordinate a Caregiver

If you are not able to secure a caregiver for your procedure, you can call your ambulatory surgery center (ASC) to reschedule your appointment for a day that someone can accompany you. This is for your safety and wellbeing. In the instance that you do not have a relative or friend to assist you, call the surgery center and ask for a list of reliable transportation companies who can serve you.

Sometimes it takes courage and humility to request caregiving assistance but be bold and ask a family member or friend to accompany you. A colonoscopy is an essential part of preventative care, so allow your relative to give you the gift of time this month.

Call Your Gastroenterologist

The American Cancer Society recommends all adults who are at average risk for colon cancer begin screening at age 45. If you are at increased risk for colon cancer, you may need to get tested earlier, so talk to your gastroenterologist.

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Exercises for Arthritis in the Hands, Fingers

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While doctors can help patients by offering treatments ranging from medications to surgical procedures, patients themselves can also help relieve this pain by performing certain exercises.

Hand exercises can help with strength, flexibility and range of motion in the joints, as well as the supportive ligaments and tendons of the hands and fingers. This can also help to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

Before beginning, it’s important to know that it is normal to experience some mild aching after exercising. However, if discomfort lasts for more than a few hours, you should perform fewer repetitions next time. If the exercises make your symptoms worse, stop doing them and go see your doctor.

5 Daily Hand Exercises for Arthritis

Although these exercises are quite simple, they can make a noticeable difference in joint pain and inflammation. However, if you only do them occasionally, you may not notice an effect. Therefore, we recommend you make hand exercises a habit by doing them at the same time each day, as well as in the same order.

  1. Finger Lifts: Rest the palm of your hand on a flat surface, spreading your fingers apart. One by one, slowly lift each finger off the surface, hold it briefly, then lower it.
  2. Slow Bends: Use slow and gentle movements, bend one finger at a time, then slowly straighten it out again. Repeat with all fingers.
  3. Form an “O”: With your hand stretched out and fingers straight, slowly curve the tips of your fingers inward until they touch and form an “O” shape. Then straighten your fingers again. Repeat on each hand several times daily.
  4. Finger Curls: Turn your palm so it is facing you. Hold your hand in a loose fist, then slowly uncurl your fingers and extend them. Hold for a few seconds before curling them back into a loose fist. Repeat on each hand several times daily.
  5. Show the Love: End your hand exercise session by forming a heart shape with your thumbs and fingers several times. With your palms facing each other, bend the fingers inward, so the tips touch each other. Then, join the tips of the thumbs below, forming a heart shape. Hold for several seconds. Then release the pose and begin again.

The wrist is directly connected to the hands: that means exercising the wrist can also help reduce hand pain. Once you have mastered the hand exercises described above, trying adding these wrist exercises into your daily routine:

  1. Fist-Wrist Bends: Form a loose fist, then lower your hand onto a table. Next, gently bend the fist inward so it faces you. Hold for several seconds, then return to the original position.
  2. The Side-to-Side: Place your palm on a table, with wrist and hand straight. Next, turn your wrist, so your fingers twist away from you as far as you can, while remaining comfortable. Hold for several seconds, then turn your wrist back to the original position. Repeat, but this time turn your wrist inward, so your fingers face the other direction. Do this exercise several times each day, using both hands.
  3. Hand Turn: Rest the palm of your hand on a flat surface. Hold the wrist and hand straight, then lift all fingers up at once, flexing the wrist. Hold for several seconds then return to the starting position.

In addition to these exercises, you may benefit from working with a hand therapy ball. These balls are available in different thicknesses and can help you build hand strength and flexibility.

4 Tips to Manage Diabetes for Better Eye Health

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Excess glucose in the blood can cause damage to blood vessels in the eyes, causing them to swell and leak fluid. This condition is known as diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes can also increase the risk of cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic macular edema.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 90 percent of diabetes-related vision loss is preventable through early detection, but 60 percent of people with diabetes are not seeing their eye doctors regularly.

You can protect your vision by following these four tips:

Quit Smoking

Smoking can cause diabetic retinopathy to develop faster and make it more difficult to regulate blood glucose levels. Cigarettes and tobacco also increase your chances of having a stroke or a heart attack.

Wear Sunglasses

Protect your eyes from harmful UV radiation by wearing sunglasses that offer 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. Diabetes increases your risk for cataracts by 60 percent, so it is imperative to wear sunglasses whenever you are outdoors.

Exercise Daily and Eat a Well-Balanced Diet

Daily exercise helps manage your weight, cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Hypertension can accelerate leakage in retinal blood vessels, so exercise regularly and get regular blood pressure checks. As for your diet, choose high-protein, low-sugar foods that include plenty of leafy greens and an abundance of omega-3 fatty acids.

Make Regular Appointments with Your Physician Care Team

Good communication with your doctors, dentist and ophthalmologist is essential to properly manage your diabetes. Schedule annual comprehensive eye exams so your eye doctor can provide you with a complete evaluation of your vision health. If you are exhibiting signs of diabetic eye disease, your doctor can detect the problem and intervene early to help protect your vision.

Diabetic eye disease can develop without symptoms or warning signs, so call your eye doctor to schedule a comprehensive eye exam.

Type 2 Diabetics at Greater Risk for Glaucoma

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What is Type-2 Diabetes?

Type-2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, is caused by insulin resistance which results in high blood glucose levels. The condition occurs most often in older or middle-aged adults, but it can also occur in teens and children.

Unmanaged type-2 diabetes can lead to many health complications and can increase the risk of glaucoma, a family of eye diseases characterized by dangerously high eye pressure. Spikes in intraocular pressure can damage the optic nerve and can cause progressive vision loss and blindness.

Glaucoma can be challenging to diagnose because it often develops slowly without noticeable symptoms. By the time changes in eyesight are noticed, permanent nerve damage has already occurred.

If you have type-2 diabetes, you can take two proactive steps to prevent glaucoma and protect your vision.

Manage Your Diabetes to Prevent Glaucoma

Controlling your diabetes can help promote overall health and prevent glaucoma and vision loss. This includes eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly and taking your medication as directed. When you regulate your blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol, you are actively reducing your risk of glaucoma. 

Being obese and leading a sedentary lifestyle contribute to insulin resistance, so talk to your doctor about how to lose weight with diet and exercise.

Annual Eye Exams Can Prevent Glaucoma

Visit an ophthalmologist at least once per year for a comprehensive eye exam with dilation. During the exam, the ophthalmologist will dilate your pupil to evaluate the health of your retina, retinal blood vessels and optic nerve. Dilation is essential to monitor your eye health and assess your risk for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, another diabetes-related eye condition, which can damage retinal blood vessels.

November is National Diabetes Month, so call your eye doctor to make an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam with dilation. Your ophthalmologist can also provide strategies for effectively managing your diabetes and preserving your eyesight. 

Knowing Family Health History Helps Prevent GERD, Cancer

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Thanksgiving Day is also Family Health History Day, a day to communicate about chronic conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that can run in families. About 15 million Americans experience heartburn symptoms of chest pain, burning throat and chronic cough on a daily basis, and these warning signs are common indicators of GERD.

GERD May be Genetic

Although most people think certain foods and stressful situations trigger acid reflux, many studies suggest GERD may also have a genetic component. In 1999, the Mayo Clinic studied over 1,500 people in Minnesota and found that participants who had an immediate family member with heartburn or a disease of the stomach or esophagus were twice as likely to experience heartburn or acid reflux.

Chronic heartburn and acid regurgitation may lead to Barrett’s esophagus, a complication of GERD that can evolve into esophageal cancer. Specific gene mutations on chromosomes 6 and 16 have been linked to Barrett’s esophagus, and a 2016 study discovered distinct genetic patterns among GERD, Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer.

Family Health History Conversations Save Lives

You can increase GERD awareness among your family members by initiating a conversation about family health history on Thanksgiving Day. Ask any of your family whether they have experienced heartburn. Mention the symptoms of GERD including:

  • Chest pain
  • Acid reflux
  • Sour taste in the mouth
  • Burning in the throat or chest
  • Dry cough
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Hoarseness
  • Sore throat
  • Lump in the throat

Remind your family members they can reduce their risk for GERD and GERD-related complications by eating smaller meals, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding heartburn trigger foods.

Visit a Gastroenterologist

Finally, encourage your family members to schedule a visit to a gastroenterologist after the holiday. GERD is a serious health concern, so frequent heartburn should not be ignored. Make this Thanksgiving meaningful and memorable by discussing family health history. Your discussion could help family members get the digestive care they need.

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Smoking Increases Risk of Osteoporosis and Bone Loss

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Osteoporosis causes bones to become brittle and weak over time. The disease increases the risk of broken bones as a result of a fall or injury. If the condition is severe, a person can even break a bone by sneezing, coughing or making small movements.

Researchers first discovered a link between cigarette smoking and osteoporosis more than two decades ago. Since then, research confirms a direct relationship between tobacco use and bone loss. Researchers have found:

  • Risk of hip fracture in people who smoke versus those who do not smoke is:
    • 17 percent greater at age 60
    • 71 percent greater at age 80
    • 108 percent greater at age 90
  • Risk of hip fracture is lower in former smokers than in those who continued to smoke (suggesting that quitting sooner rather than later can slow the rate of bone loss)

How does it happen? The substances in cigarettes can cause bone loss because they:

  • Limit the body’s capacity to absorb calcium from food sources
  • Make it harder for the body to produce osteoblasts, the bone-forming cells that grow new bone
  • Cause estrogen, a hormone critical for healthy bones, to break down
  • Reduce blood supply to the bones

Help in Quitting Smoking

The best thing a smoker can do to reduce the risk of osteoporosis is to quit smoking. Quitting smoking, even if it happens later in life, can reduce bone loss.

There are also many reasons besides reducing the risk of osteoporosis to quit smoking: smoking is the number one cause of preventable death in the U.S., and people who smoke are at greater risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke.

The Great American Smokeout

The Great American Smokeout is a one-day event designed to help smokers quit. It is held on the third Thursday in November each year and is sponsored by the American Cancer Society. While a person can decide to quit at any time of the year, this day is unique in that it offers extra encouragement, motivation and support by joining with others who also want to quit.

This year, if you are a smoker, consider quitting during The Great American Smokeout. Or if you have a family member or friend who smokes, share this information with them and encourage them to quit.

Other Ways to Reduce Osteoporosis Risk

In addition to quitting smoking, there are other steps you can take to help reduce your risk of osteoporosis:

  • Eat foods that are naturally high in calcium such as dairy products and dark green, leafy vegetables. Also look for calcium-fortified foods and beverages. If your doctor recommends it, you can also take calcium tablets.
  • Engage in exercise like lifting weights, jogging, walking, yoga, aerobics or swimming.
  • Limit your use of alcohol. Alcohol interferes with the balance of calcium in the body. It also impacts bone-protecting hormones and the body’s ability to absorb vitamins.

Finally, if you are a current or former smoker, ask your doctor about a bone density test. The results can predict how likely you are to fracture a bone in the future — and having this information could be helpful in quitting for good. Also, recognize that quitting smoking can be hard. If you want to quit, talk to your doctor about resources that could help you, such as prescription medications and counseling.

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