March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the team at Englewood Health is sending you a friendly reminder to listen to your body and get yourself screened (for those who qualify). Not only do preventative screenings help you take better care of yourself and your family, but they also have the potential to save your life. By sparing a little time to get your gut checked out, you can get ahead of any colorectal issues that may be detected and make sure you're receiving the best care possible.
At any age, the most important thing you can do to stay healthy is to be an active participant in your health care. If something feels off, it's best to address it head on. The good news is that a pain in the gut doesn't necessarily mean you're going to need surgery, or even a colonoscopy. However, if you notice chronic or recurring discomfort; changes in the frequency, consistency, or color of your bowel movements; or blood in the bowl after you go, it's time to consult your doctor.
Physicians at Englewood Health use physical exams, bloodwork, imaging tests, stool collections, and scopes to detemine the best course of action for people with intestinal symptoms. However, if you're 45 or older, it's time to be proactive by scheduling a colonoscopy. Depending on your risk factors and the results of your test, you may be able to wait as long as 10 years before your next one. So make the time to check it off your list now!
As with most things in life, the way you live can help prevent some colorectal conditions. Peter Kaye, MD, a colon and rectal surgeon at Englewood Health, says that healthy, clean living–including drinking more water; eating fruits, vegetables, and fiber; avoiding empty carbohydrates; and exercising regularly–will go a long way to keeping your gut healthy (and you happy).
If you do require treatment, Dr. Kaye and the team of colorectal specialists at Englewood Health are up to date on cutting-edge treatments and procedures for diseases of the stomach, intestines, and colon and rectal area, including robotic surgery–a game-changer for those undergoing colon and rectal surgery.
At Englewood Health you'll also benefit from the collaborative approach to patient health. This focus on multi-disciplinary care allows your doctors to access the expertise of specialists across the health system, including at the Graf Center for Integrative Medicine, resulting in better outcomes for the patients they see.
So if you're experiencing troubling symptoms, or you've (ahem) reached that age where a baseline examination is a good idea, call 833-234-2234 for a referral. Trust your gut and don't wait until it's too late. The sooner you get in gear, the sooner you'll have peace of mind, now and for many years to come.
