Healthy Focus is a magazine published by Duke Raleigh Hospital filled with information to inspire healthy behaviors in the Raleigh, Wake County, and Greater Triangle community.
Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/476386
HEALTHY FOCUS Spring 2015 When you're experiencing abdominal pain or need a diagnostic procedure to check for cancer, you want to see a doctor as quickly as possible. The Advanced Digestive Care Program's Easy Access service ensures you can get an appointment with a surgeon or gastroenterologist within 72 hours of your request or physician's referral. • ERCP—Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a test that uses a scope to look inside the bile ducts carrying bile from your liver to small intestine. This procedure is just one example of the advanced endoscopic technologies Jorge Obando, MD, medical director of the Advanced Digestive Care Program, uses to diagnose pancreatic, liver and gallbladder disease and to take tissue samples to check for cancer, if needed. • Robotic colorectal surgery—Dr. Hopkins uses the da Vinci ® Surgical System to remove cancers in the lower rectum and to surgically treat noncancerous conditions, such as severe diverticular disease. He also specializes in noninvasive removal of rectal tumors that are too large to be removed during a colonoscopy. • Laparoscopic surgery—To remove small tumors on the pancreas or liver, Dr. Shah often performs laparoscopic surgery, which requires only one-inch incisions. "Our goal at the Advanced Digestive Care Program is to perform the best possible operation," Dr. Shah says. "Using minimally invasive techniques, we can provide high-quality surgery to remove tumors, while also reducing postoperative pain and shortening the time it takes individuals to get back on their feet." Find out more about the Advanced Digestive Care Program at Duke Raleigh Hospital by visiting dukeraleighhospital.org/adc or call 919-684-6437. All-Inclusive GI Care The experienced team at Duke Raleigh Hospital's Advanced Digestive Care Program can diagnose, manage and treat any number of gastrointestinal issues: • Noncancerous pancreatic, biliary and liver diseases • Gallstones and gallbladder-related pain • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) • Barrett's esophagus • Colorectal problems, such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, rectal prolapse and fecal incontinence • Digestive diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis Gastrointestinal diseases aren't always avoidable, but there are a few things you can do to lower your chances of getting one and to ease symptoms when they arise. That starts with some basic digestive wellness strategies: 1. Eat a high-fiber diet. To prevent colorectal issues, the American Cancer Society recommends consuming at least 2.5 cups of vegetables each day and swapping refined grains for whole. Limit red and processed meats, and drink at least eight glasses of water per day. 2. Quit smoking. You may associate smoking only with lung cancer, but the American Cancer Society estimates that 20 to 30 percent of pancreatic cancer cases are due to smoking. 3. Cut back on alcohol and sugary drinks. Heavy drinking is a leading cause of liver cancer and also plays a role in colorectal, pancreatic and esophageal cancers. The National Cancer Institute recommends women limit themselves to one drink—defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or one shot of hard liquor—each day. Men should aim for no more than two drinks per day. High-fructose corn syrup, found in sugary beverages and some alcoholic drink mixes, has also been linked to gastrointestinal problems. 4. Get a colonoscopy. If all adults received a colonoscopy as recommended, an estimated 25,000 lives could be saved each year. "With colonoscopies, we can find a polyp before it becomes cancerous," says M. Benjamin Hopkins, MD, FACS, colorectal surgeon and assistant professor of surgery at Duke Raleigh Hospital. "We can also find cancers earlier when there is a good chance of treating them and preventing them from spreading." The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises that adults age 50 and older receive a colonoscopy every 10 years. Certain groups of people, however, may need earlier screenings. African American men should receive colonoscopies beginning at 45, and individuals with a family history of colon cancer should start screening at 40. Speak with your doctor to determine a screening schedule that is right for you. HEALTHY FOCUS Next Stop: Wellness 5