Tag Archives: medical-issues

Colorectal Cancer is Common But Can Be Prevented

A Q&A with Dr. Ariel Warden-Jarrett

Q: What is colorectal cancer?

A: Colorectal cancer, or colon cancer, occurs in the colon or rectum. The colon is the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus. Most colon cancers develop first as polyps, which are abnormal growths that may later become cancerous.

Q: How common is colorectal cancer?

A: It is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the U.S. and is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. It is expected to cause about 49,700 deaths this year.

Q: Who is at risk for colorectal cancer?

A: People of different ages, genders and races can get colorectal cancer. However, the Mayo Clinic lists several factors that may put you at higher risk:

  • Age: Most people diagnosed with colorectal cancer are older than 50.
  • Race: African-Americans have a greater risk than people of other races.
  • Family history: You’re more likely to develop the cancer if you have a parent, sibling or child with the disease.
  • Diet: People who eat diets low in fiber and high in fat and calories are at increased risk for colorectal cancer.
  • Sedentary lifestyle: If you’re inactive and don’t exercise, you’re more likely to develop the cancer.
  • Obesity: People who are obese are at increased risk. They are also more likely to die of the cancer.
  • Bad habits: People who smoke cigarettes or drink heavily may increase their risk.

Q: What can I do to help prevent colorectal cancer?

A: Since lifestyle is linked to colorectal cancer, improving your diet and getting more exercise can help reduce your risk. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and limit your intake of red meat and alcohol. And since obesity may increase your risk, it’s important to eat a diet that allows you to achieve a healthy body weight. Also, studies suggest that regular physical activity reduces the risk of colorectal cancer.

The good news is, when colorectal cancer is discovered early, it is highly treatable. The best way to do that is with a colonoscopy, a simple screening procedure that examines the inside of the colon and rectum, and removes polyps which may become cancerous. It is recommended you have a colonoscopy every 10 years starting at age 50 – at 45 for African-Americans ─ or every five years if you have a family history of colorectal cancer. Learn more about colonoscopies here.
If you’re under 50, make lifestyle changes now to reduce your risk. If you’re 50 or older, ask your doctor how to arrange a colonoscopy or any questions you have about colorectal cancer.

 

Ariel Warden-Jarrett, M.D.Dr. Ariel Warden-Jarrett is an MPCP partner and sees patients in the Bowie office. She received her medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and completed her residency program in Family Medicine at Howard University Hospital. She is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Tired & Weak? You May Have an Iron Deficiency

by Andrea Cuniff, MD

Do you feel weak and tire easily? Are you short of breath? Look pale?

When I see patients with these symptoms, I suspect they may be suffering from anemia caused by an iron deficiency. Iron deficiency is due to too little iron in your body. It is the most common nutritional deficiency and the leading cause of anemia in the United States, especially among women.

Iron is important because your blood needs it to carry oxygen through your body. If you do not have enough iron, your body makes fewer and smaller red blood cells, and you cannot get enough oxygen.

In my practice, I’ve seen people develop iron deficiency for different reasons:

  • Adolescent girls and women of childbearing age due to menstruation
  • Young children and pregnant women because of rapid growth and higher iron needs
  • People with internal bleeding due to ulcers, hemorrhoids or cancer
  • Those with medical conditions that prevent absorption of iron, such as celiac disease or having part of their stomach or small intestine removed
  • People whose diets do not provide enough iron sources

You may not notice the symptoms of anemia at first because it develops slowly. But as anemia gets worse, you may:

  • Feel weak and tire out more easily
  • Feel short of breath
  • Feel dizzy
  • Have headaches
  • Look very pale
  • Have trouble concentrating
  • Have an inflamed tongue (glossitis)

Also, babies and small children with anemia may:

  • Have a short attention span
  • Grow more slowly than normal
  • Develop skills such as walking and talking later than normal

Left untreated, anemia may cause fatigue so severe that you can’t even complete everyday tasks. It may also lead to a rapid or irregular heart beat (arrhythmia) and even congestive heart failure.

If you suspect you or someone in your family has anemia, see your MPCP doctor. We will do a physical exam and ask you questions about your medical history and your symptoms. We will also run some blood tests. These tests may include a complete blood count to look at your red blood cells and an iron test that shows how much iron is in your blood.

Treatment for iron-deficiency anemia will depend on its cause and severity. Treatments may include dietary changes and supplements, medicines or surgery.

I also recommend that people help prevent nutrition-based iron deficiency with a diet that includes good sources of iron. For a list of dietary sources of iron, see this article by the National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.

Dr. Andrea Cuniff sees patients in MPCP’s Annapolis office. She is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Prediabetes

by: Lisa Meade, PA-C

Prediabetes is when your blood sugar is higher than normal, but not high enough for the diagnosis of diabetes. It is also referred to as hyperglycemia, impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance. It is estimated that 25%, or 1 in 4, adults has prediabetes. Most people will go on to develop diabetes within 10 years.

Recognizing this condition early is very important to delay and maybe prevent the diagnosis of diabetes in the future. Diabetes affects the entire body leading to increased risk for cardiovascular disease including heart attacks and strokes, blindness, kidney failure, and loss of limb due to neurological and vascular compromise.

Lifestyle changes can make a big impact on improving your blood sugar levels. Losing just 7% of your body weight can reduce your risk for diabetes by over 50%. That is only 15 lbs if you weigh 200 lbs. Regular daily exercise and diet modifications can help you achieve this goal. You should decrease the sugar and simple carbohydrates in your diet like white flour products (bread and pasta), white potatoes, and white rice. These can be replaced with whole grain bread and pasta, brown rice, and sweet potatoes. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables and choosing lean meats are healthy diet choices.

If you are not sure if your blood sugar has been checked within the past year or if you already know you are prediabetic and need help with the diet, call to schedule an appointment with your primary provider.

WPMeade_LLisa Meade, PA-C holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health Education from Towson University. She received her Physician Assistant certification from Essex Community College in 1987. Ms. Meade has over 25 years of experience as a certified Physician Assistant in primary care medicine. Ms. Meade sees patients in the Arundel Mills office.

Heartburn, Acid reflux…How do I get relief?

A Q&A with Loraine Dailey, M.D.

Q: I’ve heard acid reflux can be serious. Is that true?

A: If you’ve been taking antacids and refraining from eating lots of different foods, but you still have acid reflux- or “heartburn”- you may have what doctors term GERD. GERD stands for GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease. And yes, while the symptoms are annoying, GERD can also be serious and cause long-term damage if left untreated.

Q: What causes GERD?

A: At the entrance to your stomach is a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES.) Normally, the LES closes as soon as food passes through it. If it doesn’t close all the way, acid in your stomach can move up into the esophagus, irritating the lining. Symptoms can include burning chest pain/heartburn, a sour taste in the mouth, nausea and other pain. If you have symptoms more than twice a week, you should talk with your doctor. We know that untreated GERD can cause damage, such as esophageal bleeding and increase a person’s risk of esophageal cancer. Plus, newer treatments and lifestyle changes can make you feel better fairly quickly.

Q: What are the latest treatments?

A: If the GERD is not serious, the first course of treatment should focus on lifestyle changes. Patients should avoid or reduce foods that trigger symptoms or weaken the LES—common culprits include chocolate, fried or fatty foods, coffee, alcohol and peppermint. Other changes include losing weight, not snacking several hours before bedtime, quitting smoking and evaluating any medications that could make GERD worse. Some people benefit from raising the head of their bed by six inches or sleeping on a wedge to prevent acid from moving up into the esophagus.

For some, treatment may also require medication. We have an effective class of medications called proton pump inhibitors. They are sometimes combined with over the counter medications, such as antacids or foaming agents to coat the stomach. Other drugs, such as H2 blockers, help some people. If medications don’t work, there are surgical options but they are being used much less today. Talk with your doctor if you have persistent heartburn or think you have GERD. Together, you can come up with an effective treatment plan.

Loraine Dailey, M.D.
Dr. Dailey is a Maryland Primary Care Physicians, LLC partner and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. She received her medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in 1976 and completed her residency program in Family Practice at University of Maryland Medical Center in 1979. Dr. Dailey is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.