Gastrointestinal Associates is committed to providing our patients with top quality medical care, whether you are coming in for an office visit or are a patient at one of our Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs). But how do you measure quality? (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘gastrointestinal associates’
Patients are the true test of performance quality
Friday, January 13th, 2012
Good news for southern women: reduced risk of inflammatory bowel disease
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011A recent study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology suggests that in the United States southern women are less likely than their northern counterparts to suffer from Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Researchers believe this is attributable to the extra time that southern women spend in the sun’s ultraviolet rays, thereby increasing their Vitamin D levels. (more…)
Oh, my aching gallbladder!
Thursday, October 20th, 2011With gallstone disease affecting well over 25 million people in the United States, chances are that you or someone close to you has either already suffered from gallstone disease or will face it in their lifetime. (more…)
Brachytherapy offers targeted treatment for esophageal cancer
Thursday, July 21st, 2011Brachytherapy is our newest tool in the treatment of esophageal cancer.
Recently, Gastrointestinal Associates teamed up with Thompson Cancer Survival Center to make this advanced treatment available to gastrointestinal patients in East Tennessee. Two patients have already benefitted from brachytherapy in our first month of offering the treatment. (more…)
Heed the warning signs of Pancreatitis
Thursday, June 9th, 2011
The pancreas, an organ in your upper abdomen, has several important functions. It secretes fluids into the bowel to help you digest your food. It also secretes hormones into the blood, one being insulin which regulates blood sugar levels. When the pancreas becomes inflamed for any reason, it is called pancreatitis. (more…)
Osteoporosis Medications Can Cause Gastrointestinal Discomfort
Monday, May 23rd, 2011
Fifty-four percent of postmenopausal women in the United States have a low bone mass density, increasing their risk for hip and vertebral fractures. To combat this risk, a growing number of physicians are prescribing osteoporosis medications.
Bisphosphonate, an ingredient in medications such as Boniva, Actonel and Fosamax, has been linked to stomach pain, heartburn and ulcers. A recent Oxford University Study has revealed that taking these drugs could possibly double your chances of esophageal cancer, indicating that the risk of esophageal cancer increases slightly after just one dose of a bisphosphonate-containing medicine. (more…)
GI Roundtable highlights focus on patient care
Tuesday, May 10th, 2011
Recently I was privileged to be a part of a national GI Roundtable held here in Knoxville. During the course of two days, 130 invited leaders of gastrointestinal practices from across the country came together to discuss health care reform and the future of gastroenterology. (more…)
How to be Worry Free about Gluten-Free
Tuesday, February 15th, 2011
Receiving a diagnosis of Celiac disease means a complete lifestyle change. The only accepted treatment of Celiac disease is a 100-percent gluten-free diet. Until recently, gluten-free products were sold only in specialty stores, and dietary options were extremely limited. (more…)
New Medicare Benefits Focus on Prevention
Monday, December 20th, 2010
Beginning January 1, Medicare recipients will no longer be required to pay a co-pay or deductible to receive screening colonoscopies as part of the Medicare Preventive Services program.
The best way to control rising health care costs is through prevention. If we can catch something early, before it requires surgery or becomes life-threatening, we can generally avoid large medical bills down the road. (more…)
