Combining the most advanced research and procedures, we provide diagnostic evaluation, management and treatment of digestive disorders and perform preventive services on site using sophisticated equipment.
Common Problems That We Evaluate:
difficulty with swallowing
chest pain
abdominal pain
unexplained weight loss
obesity
iron deficiency anemia
bleeding from the mouth or rectum
consultation and treatment for hepatitis B and C
Crohn's Disease
Colon Cancer Screening
What Should I Know About Screening?
Screening tests can find precancerous polyps, so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best.
What Is Colorectal Cancer Screening?
A screening test is used to look for a disease when a person doesn’t have symptoms. (When a person has symptoms, diagnostic tests are used to find out the cause of the symptoms.)
Colorectal cancer almost always develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps, so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best.
Screening Recommendations
Regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer and finding it early. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) recommendsexternal icon that adults age 45 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer. The Task Force recommends that adults age 76 to 85 talk to their doctor about screening.
The Task Force recommends several colorectal cancer screening strategies, including stool tests, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Learn about these screening tests.
When Should I Begin to Get Screened?
Most people should begin screening for colorectal cancer soon after turning 45, then continue getting screened at regular intervals. However, you may need to be tested earlier than 45, or more often than other people, if you have—
Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps.
A genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)external icon or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).
If you think you are at increased risk for colorectal cancer, speak with your doctor about—
When to begin screening.
Which test is right for you.
How often to get tested.
Insurance and Medicare Coverage
Colorectal cancer screening tests may be covered by your health insurance policy without a deductible or co-pay. For more information about Medicare coverage, visit www.medicare.govexternal icon or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1 (877) 486-2048. Check with your insurance plan to find out what benefits are covered for colorectal cancer screening.
Colonoscopies
Colonoscopy
What is colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is an exam in which the doctor will pass a flexible tube into the rectum and passes it throughout you colon. During this exam your doctor will carefully exam the walls of your colon. The doctor will look for any abnormalities that there may be. Particularly, during colorectal cancer screening, the doctor will look for polyps (the small growths that can contain cancer or develop into cancer) or larger growths. During the exam polyps may be removed or small pieces of tissue may be sampled(biopsies which is removing small “pinches” of tissue for examination under the microscope).
COLON PREPARATION
In order for colonoscopy to be effective it is necessary for your colon to be thoroughly cleaned the day(s) before the exam. You will be given thorough instructions on how to clean your colon in preparation for the colonoscopy. You will be required to be on a clear liquid diet for the entire day prior to the exam. Also, you will have to drink a solution which will help clean out your colon. A prescription for this solution will be sent to the pharmacy for you to pick up. You will be given instructions for the timing of drinking the solution. You will drink it in a “split dose”. You will drink half the solution the night prior to the exam and the other half in the early morning hours, approximately 6 hours prior to the time scheduled for your procedure.
WHAT TO EXPECT THE DAY OF YOUR COLONOSCOPY
When you come in for your colonoscopy you will be evaluated by an anesthesiologist. That doctor will be responsible for putting you to sleep and monitoring during your colonoscopy. While you are asleep your examination will be performed. The test may take about 20 minutes to perform.
After your exam is completed you will be taken to the recovery room where you will be closely monitored by the recovery room staff. You may feel bloated or have some cramping. Usually, you will feel just fine and even question whether or not you had an examination as it may seem that one moment you were just about to get medication to go to sleep and the next thing you know you are awake in the recovery room. Your doctor, your gastroenterologist, will go over the findings of the exam when you have awaken. Recommendations for further follow up will be given to you based on the findings.
Risks of colonoscopy include bleeding which may occur following or during the removal of polyps. Other risks include perforation (puncturing) of the wall of the colon and injury to the spleen which is an organ outside of the colon. These risks, are rare and may require surgical intervention. There are also risks associated with anesthesia.
Upper Endoscopies
WHAT IS AN UPPER ENDOSCOPY?
An upper endoscopy is a test in which a flexible tube in passed into the mouth and passed down into the stomach and just a bit further to the first parts of the small intestine.
During this exam the doctor can carefully exam the walls of your esophagus, stomach, and first parts of the small intestines. During this exam biopsies may be taken for further evaluation
PREPARATION
To prepare for this test you will be told not to eat or drink anything after midnight prior to your exam. This is so that your stomach is empty of all contents for the exam. You will be given more detailed instructions regarding what medications you can and can not take. Generally, you will be told to continue taking any medications for high blood pressure if you are taking such medications already. You will be asked about any “blood thinners” or medications that can impair clotting. You will be told to stop these medications unless special circumstances exist
The anesthesiologist will evaluate you before the test is performed and will be responsible to monitor you during the examination.
After the exam you will recover in the recovery room where you will be closely monitored by the recovery room staff.
When you have recovered and awakened your gastroenterologist will go over the results of the exam with you and give you specific instructions based on the findings.
Urea Breath Testing
This is a test that we perform in the office to determine if you stomach is infected with Helicobactor pylori. This bacteria is sometimes found in the stomach and is associated with some upper GI symptoms and is associated the the occurance and recurrance of peptic ulcers. If this bacterium is present and not eradicated peptic ulcers tend to continue to recur.
Weight Management
Obesity is such a big problem for one’s health. The problem is more than just a cosmetic problem. Obesity brings on many health problems or is a strong contributor to such problems as coronary artery disease, cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. Dr. Samuel is very interested in working with you with many approaches to weight management and health promotion. He wants to help you help yourself.
Nutritional Counseling
This follows the discussion about obesity. It is so important to eat properly to promote one’s health. Dr. Samuel wants to work with you to promote your health with the development of healthy eating habits. Improvements in this area will help you and those who are close to you, especially your children. Healthy habits are first learned at home.
