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What conditions can a female urology Baltimore MD doctor treat?

When should a female urology Baltimore MD doctor be seen?

A urogynecologist is a medical professional that is trained to diagnose and treat the conditions that impact a woman’s body. Though there are many different conditions that can result in people needing and wanting to visit these professionals, a few of them are much more likely than others. In addition to being capable of diagnosing the health issues, these doctors are also able to recommend treatment via new and improved methods for detection and monitoring of these conditions. This is a huge relief to those that don’t quite know what to expect - but no matter what, when visiting and working with talented urogynecology doctors Baltimore MD like those in the http://www.medstarfranklinsquare.org network, patients can rest assured that they are getting high quality care.

Common female urology Baltimore MD diagnoses

Pelvic prolapse: This a urogynecology Baltimore condition that happens when the ligaments and muscles supporting pelvic organs weaken and drop from their traditional placement. This can cause pain in the actual vagina or the lower back, pain when having sex and even things like urine leakage and constipation. Commonly impacted organs include the bladder, the rectum, small bowel and even the urethra. There are different forms of treatment for this that include both surgical and non-surgical methods, depending on the severity of the initial diagnosis.

Urogenital fistula: This is a complicated sounding name for a relatively simple to describe problem. This condition occurs when there are small holes between the urinary system and the vagina or rectum, which make it much more likely that there will be almost constant leakage. This condition most commonly results in urine leakage, but can also happen with feces, too. For this condition, surgical intervention is much more effective than other methods.

Bladder pain syndrome: This is a condition that is typically much more prevalent when urinating, and results in a tingling or burning sensation when using the bathroom. Other side effects of this situation include more frequent urination, always feeling the need to go, and pain in the lower abdominal area. Even though it can impact men and children, the condition is most common for women.

This is a condition that cannot always be “cured” but it can be managed via the use of medications and other therapeutic options that include dietary changes, lifestyle shifts and careful monitoring of the day to day life. A female urology Baltimore MD doctor will be able to help patients find the correct management methods without fail.

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Preventing Gynecologic Cancer Baltimore MD

While there are many promising new therapies being developed for cancers of the female reproductive system at the present time, preventative care remains one of the best ways for women and female-bodied individuals to lessen their risk of developing a malignancy.  Gynecologic cancer Baltimore MD can be prevented in many cases, with a few simple steps.

Steps to Prevent Gynecologic Cancer Baltimore

Be in partnership with a primary care physician or gynecologist and follow their recommendations for screening and treatment.  Each individual is different.  The partnering doctor can assess specific risks for patients by taking their complete medical history, family health history, and possibly ordering genetic testing.

Know the types of gynecologic cancer Baltimore that occur, and the risk factors for each one, including the ages at which they normally occur.  There are five basic types of female reproductive malignancies:  ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, vaginal cancer and uterine cancer.  It is especially necessary to watch out for symptoms of ovarian cancer, such as bloating and abdominal pain.  Ovarian cancer is especially deadly because there is no reliable screening test for it and it often has no dramatic symptoms in the earliest, most treatable stages.

All individuals, regardless of gender, should learn about the HPV vaccine.  This is a series of shots, usually given during early adolescence, that prevent transmission of many forms of the human papilloma virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease that can lead to cervical cancer.  Men and other male-bodied individuals can receive the shots in order to keep from passing the virus to their sexual partners.  There are currently some safety concerns about the vaccine.  However, these concerns should not keep people from learning about the risks and benefits of vaccination.

Get available screening tests as recommended by a gynecologist or other physician.  The Pap smear test can detect changes in cervical cells before they become highly malignant.  Likewise, regular pelvic exams can find small, visible abnormalities on the labia and inside of the vagina.  Palpating the abdomen can reveal suspicious masses needing further evaluation.  To learn more about preventative care for gynecologic cancers Baltimore, click here.

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Find a Urogynecologist Near Me

Healthcare for women has changed so much over the past decade.  For most of recorded medical history, all new medications and procedures were tested primarily on men, with minimal to no research into how the same treatments would react for women.  Today, women are demanding equality in healthcare.  Many things are changing to make this seemingly obvious, but nonetheless long-neglected, need a reality.

You don't need to be a doctor or a researcher to see that urology is a medical speciality area in which the female anatomy is completely different from the male.  Yet, almost no one knows about the field of Urogynecology.  What's more, women obviously experience much more trauma to their pelvic areas than men by giving birth.  Over 90% of urologists are still men, specializing in men's urologic diseases and disorders.

Finding a Urogynecologist

This obvious inequality in very necessary health care for women has left many asking, "How can I find a urogynecologist near me?"

Finding this type of specialist is not as easy as finding providers in other specialty areas.  Here are a few suggestions for women wishing to access services:

Start with your primary care physician.  This is the medical provider who is responsible for keeping track of all of your diagnoses and care, and for offering you a referral when their own knowledge base is not adequate to meet your needs.  While even not all primary care doctors are familiar with the field of Urogynecology, you will still be within your rights as a patient to request this kind of referral.  Some women see their gynecologist more regularly than their primary care doctor.  The gynecologist can also help with this type of referral.

Your insurance company is also a good source for learning about specialty care in your area for female urology Baltimore MD.  Ideally, your primary care doctor will work with your insurance to help you find a nearby provider who is also covered by your plan.  However, you can certainly go directly to you insurer if your doctor has not provided you with a timely referral.

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Types of Weight Loss Surgery Baltimore MD

Surgical procedures for weight loss have gained a lot of popularity in the last few decades. While surgery is not an "easy way out" or a "quick fix" for anyone, and is definitely not intended for individuals struggling with just ten or twenty pounds, it can be a valuable tool for folks who have tried again and again to get a serious weight problem under control without success.  Types of weight loss surgery Baltimore MD include gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass (also called Roux-enY gastric bypass), vagal blockade (vBloc), and biliopancreatic diversion.

Which Type of Weight Loss Surgery Baltimore is Best?

Who knew there were so many choices for individuals wishing to learn about types of bariatric surgery Maryland?  Obviously, the decision regarding which procedure is best in each case should be made with the support of a physician or a medical team.

Here are a few points for those considering a surgical weight loss procedure to consider:

How much weight do I have to lose?  How is my overall health?  In order to qualify for medical weight loss programs, it is necessary for patients to meet certain criteria.  This usually means a body mass index (BMI) over a certain number, or, a lower BMI combined with a chronic medical condition that can improve or resolve with weight loss.

Which procedures will my insurance cover?  While it would be nice to think that all health insurance companies will follow recommendations from highly qualified medical professionals, this is, unfortunately, not always the case.  Most insurers are willing to communicate directly with patients about which bariatric surgery types Baltimore MD they do and do not cover.

Do I want the procedure to be reversible?  Most weight loss surgeries permanently alter the body's digestive anatomy.  However, the gastric banding procedure can be reversed by removing the band.  This procedure also leaves room for the size of the stomach to be adjusted if a larger or smaller size is desired.

Can I commit to permanent lifestyle changes?  People who have surgical weight loss interventions do not magically loose weight.  They also change their diets, get more active, and sometimes attend support groups to deal with issues that were previously dealt with by eating.

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Surgical Breast Cancer Treatments Baltimore

When someone is diagnosed with breast cancer, it is important to start treatment planning as soon as possible.  Breast cancer treatments Baltimore include a few different surgical options, as well as radiation, chemotherapy, and some immunotherapy and hormone-based options.  Treatment recommendations will depend on the stage and type of the cancer diagnosis.  Staging indicates how far the cancer has advanced.  For example, is the cancer contained in one small tumor in just one breast, or has it spread to the lymph nodes?  Has it spread to other organs in the body like the liver or brain?  The more the cancer has spread, the higher the number representing its stage will become.

Types of Surgery for Breast Cancer Baltimore

Surgery is often a first-line type of breast cancer treatments Baltimore for cancer that is in a very early stage.  When the tumor is very small, and there is no evidence of spreading to the lymph nodes on the same side of the body, a procedure called a lumpectomy can be performed to remove only the tumor and a small margin of healthy tissue around it.  This type of breast cancer surgery baltimore is called a lumpectomy.   The lumpectomy can be a very safe choice when combined with careful follow-up and monitoring.

A mastectomy is the most well-known kind of breast cancer surgery.  Up until a few decades ago, almost all breast cancer was treated with a mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy, followed by radiation.  The old fashioned mastectomies were very radical, removing all of the breast tissue, the lymph nodes under the arm on the same side of the body, and a portion of chest muscles.  "Radical mastectomies" are still performed in some cases, but many more nuanced options are now available, including those that preserve the lymph nodes or remove only a quarter or a half of the breast tissue while keeping the skin and the nipple intact.

Today, medical advances have made it possible for people who are at very high risk for breast cancer to undergo genetic testing in order to see if they carry a genetic marker for the disease.  Sometimes, individuals who are at very high risk as determined by this testing will choose to undergo preventative double-mastectomies.

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The Different Types of Disease You may Need Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment Baltimore MD For

Inflammatory bowel disease treatment Baltimore MD is a one size fits all type of thing. IBD, as it is often known is a term that encompasses a couple of different diseases that present themselves as mainly the same kind of problems, but is vastly different in what they are doing to your insides. Because of this, the methods for treating them range from surgery to steroids.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment Baltimore MD

The two diseases that people are talking about having when letting you know about IBD are Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's. Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic illness that causes unexplained ulcers to form on the insides of the lower intestines, colon, and rectum. These ulcers may be insignificant, small, and might not even present signs that they are there, however, an untreated abscess can cause a person unwanted side effects if the hole in the gut does not heal. If the ulcer can make it's a way through an intestinal wall, it can be not only painful but also cause severe damage as abdominal fluid will break down the barriers and other organs. A leaking colon can result in harmful bacteria getting into the inner body as well and cause toxins to spread, and even death.

It is essential to watch out for signs of ulcers and keep a close eye on them once discovered. Inflammatory bowel disease doctors Baltimore MD will often give a patient steroids or recommend a diet change before turning to surgery, though that is often necessary.

Crohn's disease does the opposite and inflame the inner walls. The result is painful and can result in a person being completely incapacitated. Besides pain killers and a healthy diet and exercise, there isn't much known about the disease. Many people will start to notice trigger foods or moods, such as stress. The only real relief, though not complete, is the removal of the lower abdominal area that becomes affected. This will most likely be necessary at some point in the life of the patient, but while many will put this off for as long as possible, some people find the relief to be a much better alternative to daily suffering.

Both diseases, especially Ulcerative Colitis, put patients at a higher risk of cancer and the longer the intestinal areas are attacked, the more likely it is they will become affected.

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I Want to Find a Gastroenterologist Near Me

Finding a new medical service provider is not a task to which many people look forward with enthusiasm.  Finding a specialist like a gastroenterologist can be even more daunting, depending upon the reason it is necessary.  After all, no one really likes to think about colonoscopies and related types of testing and treatment that are usually performed by a gastroenterologist Baltimore MD.

What Gastroenterologists are Near Me?

Here are a few suggestions to make finding your next gastroenterology specialist a bit more manageable:

If you have health insurance, it makes sense to start with a list of covered providers.  Chances are, even if you are really interested in a gastroenterologist near you who is not covered by your insurance, their fees will not be affordable for the average person.

A simple google search for a gastroenterologist near me, along with your location, can be matched up with your list of covered providers in order to find a provider who is both affordable and conveniently located.

Once you have narrowed your choices down to a list of just a few, it is a good idea to ask friends and family if they have ever seen any of those physicians.  Personal recommendations from folks you trust are a good way to preference or eliminate the providers on your short list.

The internet is also useful for finding real patient reviews of providers and their service locations.  One or two bad reviews out of a hundred or more can easily be outliers.  If, however, every other review for a given gastroenterologist is very poor, this is definitely a red flag.

Once you are down to just two or three choices, there are many factors that might go into your final decision for a gi doctor Baltimore MD.  Maybe you are someone who feels strongly about private vs. public education.  You may want to choose a doctor who went to a nicer, private school.  You might prefer to see a provider of your same gender, or if you are a part of a marginalized group, you may feel more comfortable if you can find a provider whose life experience seems similar to yours.

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A bariatric surgery sleeve Baltimore MD helps people lose weight and keep it off

What is a briatric surgery sleeve Baltimore MD?

When people hear the term “weight loss surgery” they often think of gastric bypass or gastric banding. These two are some of the more common types of weight loss surgery, but they are not the only options available. Another type of surgery is a bariatric surgery sleeve Baltimore MD, which changes the shape of the stomach and turns it into a long, thin tube. This means that patients cannot consume large amounts of food anymore, though the other functions of the digestive system are not compromised or changed. This type of surgery is much more invasive and complex than banding, and will require a much longer and more difficult recovery period. This surgery - along with other types of weight loss surgery Baltimore will be done only if a medical professional deems you healthy enough to have it, so it’s important to consult with a reputable surgeon before making any decisions.

How a bariatric surgery sleeve Baltimore helps

Like other types of weight loss surgery, this is meant to give people a way to curb their food consumption habits. The smaller size of the stomach allows for only small meals to be consumed, and the shape of it means that the consumed food will pass through quickly; food does not simply sit in the stomach for longer periods of time after the procedure has been done. It is important to remember that unlike gastric bypass surgery, sleeve surgeries will not change the function of the digestive tract, meaning that though food tends to digest faster because it’s in smaller amounts, it’s still in the body for just as long, meaning that it can be broken down completely with all of the necessary nutrients getting absorbed as they should.

This procedure will help people lose weight because when smaller amount of food are consumed, people won’t be able to overeat. Yes, the stomach can stretch over time, but this usually does not happen since patients will feel pain when they overeat after this type of surgery. This is good, since overeating and choosing the wrong types of food are what likely contributes to obesity in the first place.

This type of surgery will give people a chance to make changes to their diet, and then as time passes, to make changes to their physical activity levels, too. This means that as the diet becomes routine, people will notice that they are able to do more - they aren’t confined to their homes or their beds, and they will be much more active. This surgery can be a true change for people that desperately need one.

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Choosing Breast Cancer Treatments Baltimore

Breast cancer treatments Baltimore usually include a combination of surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy.  Your breast cancer doctor Baltimore MD will decide which treatments are best for you based on stage, grade, your overall health, and other treatments that you have had.

Breast cancer Baltimore stage

Stage is a way of noting how large tumors are and how much the cancer has spread.  It is usually the most important factor when choosing breast cancer treatments Baltimore MD.  Your breast cancer doctor Baltimore MD will give your cancer a stage between I and IV.  Generally, early stage breast cancer Baltimore is more likely to be cured.

Women can help make it more likely that any breast cancer Baltimore is found in an early stage by having a screening test called a mammogram regularly.  A mammogram creates an image of the inside of your breast that can show cancer long before any lumps can be felt.  Most breast cancer doctors Baltimore recommend that women start getting mammograms when they are in their 40s.

Grade can impact breast cancer treatments Baltimore

Grade refers to how different the breast cancer Baltimore cells look when compared to normal breast cells.  Breast cancer Baltimore MD is given a grade between 1 and 3.  Higher grade breast cancer Baltimore tends to grow and spread quickly, so your breast cancer doctor Baltimore may choose a more aggressive treatment plan.

Breast cancer doctor Baltimore examines overall health

Breast cancer Baltimore MD treatments often need recovery time and have side effects, so your breast cancer doctor Baltimore will consider your overall health when deciding on a breast cancer treatment Baltimore MD plan.  Your breast cancer surgeon Baltimore MD will want to ensure that you are healthy enough to recover from the treatments.

Previous breast cancer Baltimore treatments

Sometimes, previous treatments can impact your breast cancer Baltimore MD treatment plan.  This is often true with recurrent breast cancer Baltimore MD.  If the cancer comes back in the same spot and you had radiation treatment the first time, your breast cancer doctor Baltimore MD may be less likely to recommend radiation for the recurrent cancer.  Also, cancer cells sometimes become resistant to chemotherapy.  If you have already had chemotherapy, your doctor will want to consider that before recommending chemotherapy again.

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Types of Pelvic Prolapse Surgery Baltimore MD

Often, when we hear about prolapse of the pelvic organs, it is a woman recounting a very dramatic case in which her uterus has literally fallen out of her vaginal opening.  This type of prolapse is, indeed, very upsetting.  It potentially causes a lot of physical discomfort and emotional distress.  This is not the only type of prolapse event that can happen to women who have had one or more birth experiences or other pelvic traumas as they move into the elder years.  In some cases, the bladder or rectum can shift slightly out of position resulting in urinary or fecal incontinence.  Other symptoms of pelvic prolapse Baltimore MD include the following:

Feelings of uncharacteristic fullness or pressure in the pelvic area.

Frequent lower back aches.

A sensation as though something is falling out of the vagina.

Chronic urges to urinate when no urine is present.

Constipation.

Pain during intercourse or other vaginal penetration.

How does Pelvic Prolapse Surgery Baltimore Help?

Pelvic prolapse surgery Baltimore MD can be very beneficial for women who are have not been helped by less invasive treatments like pessaries or exercise.  There are a few different ways to approach surgery, depending on the organs involved and the severity of the injury.

Fixation is one the most common surgeries for cases in which the uterus has prolapsed into the vagina.  The surgeon puts the uterus back into place and attaches it to one of the patient's own tissues, often a ligament.  This operation is also called uterosacral ligament suspension or sacrospinous fixation.

Coloporrhaphy is a type of surgery that can help women whose vaginal walls have collapsed and, subsequently, allowed one or more of their internal organs to shift out of place.  Stitches are placed inside of the vagina to tighten and strengthen the walls, with the goal of making the vagina strong enough to support the internal organs again.

Vaginal mesh surgery is used to treat all types of prolapse cases.  During this procedure, a medical-grade mesh is implanted into the vagina to strengthen it.  There are a number of risks and complications associated with this operation.  Therefore, it should be one of the last options tried.

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Turning 50?  Have a Colonoscopy Baltimore MD

With so many amazing advances in medical care over the past fifty years or so, it can be overwhelming and confusing to choose which types of preventative care and testing to have.  Diseases that were once a death sentence now have effective treatments that can manage and even cure them.  Likewise, diagnostic testing has advanced to the point where evidence of disease can be detected before it can be felt in the body, or even seen with the naked eye. A colonoscopy Baltimore MD is a preventative test that can detect and remove (possibly pre-cancerous) polyps that are about the size of a pinhead.

When to have a Colonoscopy Baltimore

Some individuals are at a very high risk for colon cancer.  This group includes people who have a first-degree relative who has been diagnosed with colon cancer, those whose genetic tests turn up evidence of a biological predisposition, and people who have suffered for a number of years with digestive disorders like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.  Most people who fall into this category know who they are and have made a decision, along with their primary care provider, when to begin screening for the disease.

Other individuals who have no known risk factors, and who have not had chronic digestive problems, are generally advised to have a colonoscopy screening Baltimore MD at age fifty.  The results of this exam will establish a baseline for the patient.  How often testing is repeated is dependent on the results of the first test.

Those whose initial colonoscopy is completely clear are generally advised that they can wait ten years to have another screening (in the absence of any new and chronic digestive problems).

Individuals who are found to have a few small polyps or other abnormalities will likely need to repeat the test in less than ten years.  Folks in this situation can get help from their medical care provider to determine appropriate screening intervals.

A few of those tested at age fifty will have some serious findings requiring either immediate follow-up, or another colonoscopy within a few months. Those with serious test results can avoid a major health crisis by receiving treatment in the earliest stages of disease after taking the advice of colonoscopy doctors Baltimore MD.

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Common Bariatric Surgery Maryland Procedures You may Consider on a Weight Loss Journey

Almost a third of the world's population is overweight, and with advances in surgery and medically aesthetic procedures, it has become quite common to receive operations for weight loss. After all other methods of dieting have failed, some people will give up on becoming thinner and carry on with their lives, but for some excess weight is not only a factor that affects their confidence levels but also their health.  Diabetes, an increase in the risk of cancer, heart attack, stroke and other illnesses considerably rise when excess weight is gained. For some individuals, weight loss means the difference between life and death - which is why they turn to bariatric surgery Maryland.

The Best Suited Bariatric Surgery Maryland for You

Bariatric surgery Baltimore Maryland is the process of reducing the stomach size significantly so that a person can eat less, absorb smaller amounts of food and nutrients, or both of these things at the same time. There are many different ways to perform bariatric surgery, and the best suited to you should be decided on between yourself and your bariatric surgeon Baltimore MD. Each has its risks, complications, and a commitment to a life long lifestyle change is necessary.

Gastric Bands

One such procedure utilizes a band inserted around the upper half of the stomach. The banding shrinks the stomach size and makes a person feel full faster. The system is adjustable and over time can gradually decrease the amount of food a person will intake making them healthily lose weight. The benefits are that the surgery can be undone and only requires a 24-hour stay in the hospital.

Stomach Sleeves and Bypasses

Another type of weight loss surgery Baltimore MD is done through slightly more invasive techniques that cut out a large portion of the stomach. The operation shrinks the stomach and allows a person to absorb much less in terms of calories each time they eat. The weight loss is automatic but is also irreversible. A slightly more extensive operation along these lines goes a step further and bypasses the upper half of the smaller intestine as well. The bypass creates for a smaller stomach size and less time for food absorption.

All of the bariatric procedures have the benefit of changing the hormones in the stomach too which causes a change in a person's eating wants and habits. The cons are that there is the possibility of complications; however, most are very manageable, and patients are on average able to lose approximately 50% of their weight or more.

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Gastroenterology Baltimore MD Covers Problems from IBS to Acne

Gastroenterology is the study of the digestive tract. While most people assume that this means the stomach and guts, these specialists study the entire system from the time food enters the body to when it leaves. Being such a broad subject, some professionals choose to specialize in just one area, such as the liver, or stomach. Before they are allowed to get so specific though, these people must first finish medical school, study the entire digestive tract for a couple to a few more years, and then, only after they become certified as a gastroenterologist, are they able to specialize in specific organs and diseases. That being said, you may need to see a gastroenterology Baltimore MD doctor for an extensive range of reasons from skin issues, to weight loss or back pain.

Unrelated Pains may be a Reason to go to Gastroenterology Baltimore MD

Some common problems of the digestive tract are issues such as cancer, IBS and IBD, acid reflux, and even anemia. The food you eat provides your body with essential vitamins and minerals, so anytime that your insides are not performing correctly and getting the correct amount of nutrients out of your food, there are going to be issues, some may not even seem related. Stomach pains, nausea, and diarrhea are all common indications of there is something wrong with your gastrointestinal tract.

Pains anywhere in the abdomen could be the cause of bloating, gallstones, or a struggling liver. Because the gut is responsible for what your body is absorbing, the excess oils or lack of essential vitamins, like E, could be causing an imbalance in your skin. Gluten allergies and other reactions to certain products may also cause the body to have an adverse reaction and cause hormone imbalances that could make the individual moody, sluggish, hypersensitive, or could give them a headache. Even some of the most seemingly unrelated issues that pop up, like migraines and acne, could be signs that you need to see a doctor of gastroenterology Baltimore MD.

If you are a long term sufferer or possibly having issues seemingly without cause, it may be worth checking in with a gastroentologist Baltimore MD. While not perhaps the exact specialist needed to fix and pinpoint the root of the issue, they will be able to point you in the right direction and narrow down some symptoms.

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The job of a gastroenterologist Baltimore explained

Monitoring several aspects of overall health can have preventative measures to gastric diseases. Gastroentologist Baltimore professionals say that monitoring weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, and routine testing – such as physicals, blood-work, and discussion about the patient’s gastric health –  from a person’s regular physician can help catch gastric diseases early. There are many common gastric diseases that affect many individuals, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. 

Gastroenterologists cover a variety of gastric diseases. As large as the gastroenterology field is, there are numerous sub-fields involved that include studies of the stomach, small and large intestines, and the colon. Gastric symptoms are often easy to recognize for gastroenterology doctors Baltimore. Some of the most common symptoms are abdominal pain, irregular stools, and a family history of gastric diseases (including types of cancers).

Gastroentologist Baltimore Care for Cancer Prevention

Gastroenterology doctors stress the importance of screening for colon cancer. There are several risk factors that predispose people to colon cancer, and the most relevant is age, followed closely by whether or not family members have also been diagnosed. These screenings should begin at least ten years earlier than when their relative was diagnosed with colon cancer, and can pinpoint pre-cancerous polyps and have them removed before they become an issue. These doctors also recommend that, starting at the age of fifty, people should have a colonoscopy performed every ten years – even if there are no symptoms. 

Colonoscopies are performed to test for a number of abnormalities including blood, inflammation and/or growths. There are usually symptoms associated with colon cancer or poor colon health (rectal bleeding, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain), but this isn’t always the case. Colonoscopy procedures are performed when a thin tube with a light and camera is inserted into the rectum so that the walls of the colon may be visible during the procedure. Colon cancer can be treated an often positive outcome, but only when it is caught early enough, and this is why regular colon screenings by a gastroentologist Baltimore is extremely important in maintaining a healthy gastric system.

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Weight Loss Surgery Baltimore Recovery and Lifestyle Changes

Weight Loss Surgery and Immediate Recovery

You might think that weight loss surgery Baltimore involves a long hospital stay and weeks of recovery. While weight loss surgery is a major surgery that will have lifelong impact, often times, the immediate recovery is not one that you will expect. For example, one of the most common weight loss surgeries is gastric bypass surgery. This requires small incisions and a few days in the hospital, and then you can head home and begin your new life changes while you recover.

Of course, if another, more intensive surgery with deeper cuts are required, this will add on to your hospital stay and lengthen the recovery period.

When home, typically, you can expect to return to normal activities within a few weeks, if there are no complications. However, while physical recovery is one part of a weight loss surgery, there is another: lifelong changes that will occur.

What Lifestyle Changes You Can Make After Weight Loss Surgery

While weight loss surgery is a solution for drastic weight loss, it is not an instant fix. With weight loss surgery, patients typically can lose anywhere from 40-60% of their previous weight. As you dive into this new journey, be aware that your body might not so readily absorb nutrients. Including, but not limited to: Iron, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B12, Calcium, and Folate. Supplements can be taken—make sure to speak to your doctor about your personal nutritional needs and concerns.

A major part of bariatric surgery Baltimore is the lifestyle changes and habits that need to occur after. If you are considering this, know that many changes will need to occur for you to succeed in your personal goals from this procedure. Here are three suggestions for lifestyle changes that can maintain and further develop your results from weight loss surgery.

Exercise: This seems obvious but forming an exercise habit it hard. However, once you are recovered, keeping daily or weekly exercise habit to what you body needs and can do will help with your desired results. Whether at home or at the gym, this is will be a major help in your journey.

Nutrition: Eating right is not always the easy thing to do and can be a dramatic change when beginning a weight loss journey. However, consult with a dietitian and/or your doctor to discover what diet plan will work for your lifestyle and tastes.

Small Meals: Learning portion control can be hard, but with your weigh loss surgery, that will reduce the amount of food you can comfortably ingest, this can help. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day to maintain hunger and to reduce the urge to binge, or to eat a portion too large.

Weight loss surgery Baltimore is truly a life changing decision that has recovery and care that last beyond a few weeks. Take the proper steps and preparation to ensure that you can walk out of the hospital ready for your journey to come.

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Breast Cancer Surgery and Emotional Care of the Patient

There is a lot of focus placed on the physical aspects of being diagnosed with breast cancer.  In reality, the body's journey is only a part of the story.  Having breast cancer is incredibly emotional for so many diverse reasons.  Until around 1980, a lot of breast cancer patients suffered in silence because of a strong social taboo around discussing anything to do with breasts, genitals, menstruation, reproduction and other "female problems".  It was even common to have families of breast cancer patients say that they had "stomach cancer".  Patients being treated with breast cancer surgery that results in what our culture considers a "disfiguring" outcome are particularly impacted emotionally.

Breast cancer surgery options Baltimore

As much as it is nice to think that attitudes around breast cancer have changed in the last forty years, the change has been only partial.  Breast cancer is now discussed much more openly, with fundraising events, sports teams for survivors, and pink-ribbon merchandise on full display in media and retail outlets.  Even so, the rigid expectations for the appearance of the female body has not changed very much.  Women are expected to have two breasts of equal size, a small waist, fuller hips (but not too full), long legs, etc.  Breast cancer surgery Baltimore procedures, especially those that remove a significant amount of breast tissue, such as the mastectomy, are very upsetting for women who are deeply invested in society's expectations for their bodies.

It's great to know that there is no legal mandate for women to invest their self esteem in what society expects from their physical appearance.  Those who wish to work through the issues and live fully with one breast, or even no breasts, are more free than they ever have been to do so.  Other Breast cancer surgery options Baltimore offer solutions for those who wish to maintain a body shape as similar as possible to the one they had pre-surgery.  Plastic surgeons are now able to re-create breast that are almost indistinguishable from naturally occurring tissue.  Advancing microsurgery techniques have even made it possible to preserve nipple sensation in some cases.

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Preventative Gastroenterology Baltimore

Preventative Gastroenterology Baltimore

When people talk about preventative medicine, gastroenterology Baltimore is probably not the first thing that comes to mind.  Routine disease prevention more commonly consists of monitoring weight, blood pressure, blood sugar and similar baseline testing that is easily completed during a physical examination.  Yet, many people have chronic illnesses like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease that benefit from ongoing monitoring.  Gastroenterology doctors Baltimore also have the worthy goal of preventing colon cancer.

Gastroenterology services Baltimore Prevent Disease

Diseases of the digestive system can be very painful and also disruptive to a good quality of life.  Gastroenterology is a huge field of knowledge that covers all of the organs and structures from the mouth to the rectum and the anal opening.  Therefore, there are a number of sub-specialties within the field.  There are a few indicators that a patient has, or may be at risk for, a digestive disorder.

Some patients present with symptoms like abdominal pain or loose stools that indicate the possible presence of a disorder.  These patients obviously require additional screening to determine what is going on with their health.  Testing is always appropriate in the presence of obviously distressing symptoms.

Individuals with a family history of chronic digestive diseases or colon cancer should be screened regularly to catch any disease in the earliest stage possible. Patients having a first degree relative with a history of colon cancer should begin preventative screenings ten years before their relative was diagnosed.  Colon cancer can be treated very successfully when diagnosed early.  Similarly, unpleasant outcomes such as external waste collection pouches can often be avoided by early detection.

One of the biggest risk factors for colon cancer and other diseases of the digestive system is advancing age.  Unfortunately, it is also a risk factor that everyone who does not die at a young age will eventually carry.  For this reason, it is recommended that everyone begin to have colonoscopy screenings at the age of fifty, and every ten years thereafter.  Regular screenings are very effective in preventing mortality from colon cancer, and can even be used as an opportunity for the doctor to remove pre-cancerous polyps.