Blog Archives
Please Don’t Delay Urgent or Emergency Care During These Times of Crisis
There is a great deal of uncertainty in the public’s perception of medical care due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Many hospitals and surgical centers have appropriately stopped performing elective surgery in the hopes of saving important resources for the influx of COVID-19 patients that may begin (hopefully not) at any time. However, it is important to remember that emergency situations are still being treated as before, and patients should not delay care if they experience an emergency situation or a complication associated with a recent surgery.
With so much swirling around us, it is easy to delay getting appropriate urgent care for several reasons including a) being afraid of being infected, b) worrying about taking away resources from the hospital and c) that your condition may be minor and can be handled at a later date. Unfortunately, the result of delaying care can often lead to more severe problems, worse surgical outcomes and even fatal consequences.
Healthy Habits for Uncertain Times
It’s easy to feel stressed, alone, or depressed during this time of the coronavirus. Things are uncertain, we‘re isolated from friends and family, and we aren’t able to engage in our normal activities.
Many of us feel a loss of control in our lives, which isn’t surprising, because so much of this situation is out of our control. But some things are still within our control. We may not be able to control the situation, but we can still control our response to the situation. If you feel like you‘re losing control, here are a few strategies to help you get back on track:
The Zantac Recall and What You Can Do About GERD
Zantac is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for gastroesophageal reflux disease/GERD or chronic acid reflux. While most patients experiencing occasional reflux can do quite well with antacids, like Tums, once acid reflux turns chronic, it becomes more difficult to manage and requires medical intervention. Typically, patients were put on one of two medications – both of which are available over the counter:
- H2 antagonists that block the histamine receptors in the stomach to reduce the amount of acid produced. Common brand names are Zantac (ranitidine) and Pepcid
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole also block the production of acid in the stomach – brand names of omeprazole are Prilosec and Zegerid
Both options can be effective for many patients as a first line of defense against reflux.
How to Avoid Stress Eating Now That You’re Spending More Time at Home
Every bariatric patient knows that stress is a leading cause of over-eating and times like these make us particularly vulnerable to finding comfort in food. Even someone who has maintained an appropriate diet for years after their surgery can be derailed by this extreme uncertainty and frustration.
So how do we avoid stress eating they can add hundreds or even thousands of calories to our daily intake, so we can maintain our weight and even thrive through this outbreak.
Should I Cancel My Office Appointment or Surgery Due to Coronavirus?
Did you know that many doctors and nurses, at one point or another, have had anxiety and serious concern about the myriad of diseases that we as humans are exposed to? Imagine you are ready for a career helping other people and you begin to learn about how many ways there are to get sick – from genetic predisposition through infectious disease. It’s enough to send you over the edge.
As a result, as surgeons, we know all too well that times of widespread disease and great uncertainty, such as those we are dealing with now, can be anxiety inducing and downright scary. Plus, the days and weeks leading up to surgery are nerve wracking even when we don’t have a spreading health issue to contend with.
Diabetes and The Risk of Severe Complications from Coronavirus
General thinking on coronavirus has shifted from prevention to mitigation of disease spread. Virtually every country in the world and every state in the US will be affected to some degree. This is no surprise as the world has become smaller and global travel and commerce is easier than ever before.
While we have all heard and should follow CDC recommendations about washing hands, not touching our face and selectively self-quarantining and calling appropriate medical professionals if we believe we may have been infected, there are some additional tips that we, as metabolic surgical experts can offer to further reduce risk, both in bariatric and non-bariatric patient populations.
Is Weight Loss Surgery the Easy Way Out?
By Hussain Abbas, MD, FACS, Minimally Invasive Surgeon at MASJax
One of the very common question that I hear from my patients when I ask what delayed them in coming in and seeing me for their excess weight is: “Everybody’s telling me surgery is the easy route out.”
Is Robotic Surgery Truly Superior to Traditional Laparoscopy?
As one of the most experienced general surgical practices in northern Florida, we have seen an amazing transformation in surgical technique over our careers. It began with open surgery, the tried-and-true method that withstood the test of time for centuries. In 1910, daring surgeons performed the first laparoscopic procedure on humans. Over the next decades we began to perform relatively routine procedures with minimally invasive tools. Laparoscopy, using a miniaturized camera and long-handled tools became the gold standard for almost every surgery we perform.
Bariatric Surgery Tied to Lowered Risk of Colorectal Cancer
Please take the time to read a recent article from MedScape.com regarding Bariatric Surgery Tied to Lowered Risk of Colorectal Cancer.
We invite you to learn more about your bariatric treatment options or colon health screening with the MASJax Team.
How Vitamin D Is Critical to Post Bariatric Success
Vitamin D is an incredibly important nutrient that is, unfortunately, underappreciated by the general patient population. In fact, it is estimated that up to 40% of the US population is deficient in vitamin D.
The fact is that vitamin D is a critical nutrient for our health and well-being. First, it is needed for our bodies to use and absorb calcium, this is especially important for post bariatric surgery patients who are at a greater risk of osteoporosis. Low levels of Vitamin D may also increase the risk of certain cancers, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. In addition, one of the great benefits of Vitamin D is mood improvement. Those deficient in Vitamin D have a greater likelihood of developing mood disorders including depression. Once again, important for a post bariatric patient who relies on motivation and determination to reach their weight loss goals.
