How to Prevent Hemorrhoid Complications

Did you know that every single person has hemorrhoids? It’s true, we all have them as a natural part of our anatomy. However, some people’s hemorrhoids become inflamed, causing itching, bleeding and an overall painful experience. Though inflamed hemorrhoids are one of the more prevalent gastrointestinal conditions, no one wants to deal with the discomfort of suffering from them. Luckily there are a few easy ways to help prevent hemorrhoids from becoming a problem in your everyday life.

1. Eat a ton of fiber. Adding an ample amount of fiber -- 25-30 grams a day -- to your diet will help make your bowel movements more frequent and regulated, which reduces your chance of getting hemorrhoids. Legumes, whole grains, artichokes, peas, raspberries, apples and bananas are all great sources of fiber.

2. Drink water regularly. Drinking six-to-eight glasses of water a day helps prevent constipation by promoting healthy bowel movements. But that’s not all! Besides preventing hemorrhoids, drinking water regularly is beneficial for your entire body, so drink up!

3. Keep your body active. Exercise is the key that opens up many healthy lifestyle doors. Keeping active promotes a healthy colon by reducing the amount of time sitting and putting pressure on the veins in your lower rectum. However, certain exercises like lifting weights can actually do the opposite, so exercise wisely!

4. Don’t put up a fight. When you feel the urge to use the restroom, go! Don’t wait for a more convenient time, as waiting can cause for straining later on. Straining or pushing too hard when trying to have a bowel movement is one of the leading causes of inflamed and bleeding hemorrhoids, so avoid it at all costs.

If you or someone that you know is dealing with the uncomfortable effects of hemorrhoids, give Great South Bay Surgical Associates a call at 631-321-6801 and learn how our surgeons can help. Our doctors are trained and skillful in all aspects of open and minimally invasive hemorrhoid removal procedures, and are guaranteed to handle your surgery with precision and care.

Top Vitamins That Help Prevent Cancer

What the experts say is true! What you choose to eat has a direct effect on your health. But can a healthy, nutrient-rich diet prevent cancer? Though there are no sure-fire cures or definitive ways to prevent cancer, adopting a healthy diet can be a very beneficial deterrent. Here are some of the most important cancer-fighting vitamins that you should incorporate into your diet:

Beta carotene: Eating plenty of orange and green vegetables, like carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach and kale, will ensure a healthy proportion of this nutrient in your daily diet. Research shows that beta carotene is beneficial in protecting the lungs specifically, reducing the risk of lung cancer.

Vitamin B6: Your body needs a hearty immune system to properly defend against disease. Eating a good amount of carrots, apples, bananas and leafy greens will help ensure that you're getting enough of this immuno-health booster.

Vitamin C: We all know how important it is to have a morning dose of fresh squeezed orange juice! That’s because it’s packed with Vitamin C, one of the most promising cancer-fighting vitamins researched thus far.

Folic Acid: This nutrient goes by several names and is especially helpful in protecting against cervical cancer. Also known as folate or vitamin B9, folic acid is found in beets, cabbage, dark leafy greens, eggs, citrus fruits, and many types of fish.

Vitamin E: This handy gastrointestinal defender works wonders to help protect against bowel cancer. It also acts as a powerful antioxidant protecting skin cells from damage caused by pollutants. Eggs, wheat germ, liver, unrefined vegetable oils, and dark green vegetables are high in this trusty vitamin.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates we are committed to helping you and your family live healthy and happy lifestyles through the implementation of both educational and surgical procedures. Comprised of eight leading doctors in the surgical field, our team is committed to providing exceptional services by using state of the art technologies while upholding our traditional values of caring and quality.

For more information or to schedule a consultation call 631-321-6801.

Meet Dr. John W. Hsu!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates your health is our number one priority. That’s why we strive to hire only the best and most skilled surgeons in the field to provide an array of high quality healthcare services, using both open and minimally invasive techniques. We know how scary it can be to find out that you need to have a procedure done, but getting to know your doctor prior to your surgery can help ease those fears. Through the implementation of our “Meet the Doctors” blog series, our goal is to help our patients feel calm, comfortable and confident that they’re in the best hands!

With that said, and without further ado, we’d like to introduce you to one of our own, Dr. John W. Hsu!

Originally from way out west, Dr. Hsu studied medicine and received his degree close to home at the University of Kansas. Upon receiving his medical degree the doctor went on to complete his surgical training at Truman Medical Center, a level I trauma center in Kansas City, Missouri..

But that’s not all! Dr. Hsu developed his education and medical career even further by pursuing specialty training in transplant surgery under a fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia PA. Upon completing his training, Dr. Hsu began practicing a wide variety of general surgery procedures, including: gallbladder surgery, hernia surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, endocrine surgery, hepatobiliary surgery, dialysis access surgery and treatment of varicose veins.

In addition to his many prestigious medical degrees and credentials, he is also an active member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, and the Vascular Access Society of the Americas.

To learn more about how Dr. Hsu can help you, give us a call at 631-321-6801 today!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we strive to provide open and minimally invasive surgical solutions for any vascular or general health issues you may face. If you live in Nassau, Suffolk or the surrounding areas and are in need of a surgeon, click here to view our website or call us 631-321-6801 to schedule your free consultation today.

Signs & Symptoms of Skin Cancer - The ABCDE Rule!

It’s no secret that too much fun in the sun can sometimes have some pretty serious consequences. With beach weather upon us, and summer camp trips on the horizon, it’s important to not only protect yourself against the sun’s harmful rays, but to be able to keep an eye out for potential signs and symptoms of skin cancer. To help you stay informed, here are a few things you should know in order to accurately identify potentially dangerous abnormalities on the skin:

As a general rule, you’ll want to keep an eye out for odd-looking moles, sores, lumps, or blemishes on the skin’s surface. However, in order to identify anything unusual, you first have to know what a normal, healthy mole looks like. A normal mole is typically about a quarter of an inch in diameter, can be flat or raised and is brown, tan or black in color. Whether present at birth, or developed over one’s lifetime, once a mole has developed it should stay the same size, shape and color, but can potentially fade away as well.

Now that you’ve got a handle on what a healthy mole will look like you will be able to identify any abnormalities more easily. Let's take a look at the ABCDE rule, a guide used by the American Cancer Society to identify signs of melanoma.

• Asymmetry: Is the birthmark or mole symmetrical all the way around, or does one half not match the other?
• Border: Take a look at the edges of your mole or birthmark. Are they smooth or are they irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred?
• Color: A healthy mole will have similar coloring throughout. Do you notice that coloring is not the same all over, including shades of brown or black, or patches of pink, red, white, or blue?
• Diameter: How large is your birthmark? Since a normal birthmark is about ¼ of an inch in diameter, you’ll want to check out any moles that are larger or smaller than the norm.
• Evolving: Has your mole changed in size, shape, or color? This can be an indicator that there may be something malignant present.

If you recognize abnormalities and think that you may be showing symptoms of skin cancer or melanoma, alert your doctor right away!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our doctors are trained to treat melanoma and other skin cancers with sentinel node techniques. If you or someone you know suspects that they may need skin surgery, or have already been diagnosed with melanoma, our surgeons can help. Call 631-321-6801 to schedule your consultation today.

Meet Dr. Erica Sneider!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we’re committed to offering high quality healthcare solutions for all of our patients’ needs. We’ve found that the best way to achieve this goal is by hiring only the best and most knowledgeable surgeons in the field. Our highly skilled team of doctors perform a wide variety of open and minimally invasive procedures in general and vascular surgery.

We know that learning you’re in need of a surgical procedure can cause fear and discomfort, but the best way to feel confident going into an operation is by knowing and trusting your doctor inside and out. That’s why we’ve developed our “Meet the Doctors” blog series, to allow our patients to get to know our doctors before their surgery so that they can feel calm, comfortable and confident that they’re in the best hands.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Erica Sneider, another one of our expert surgeons!

Dr. Sneider grew up on Long Island, where she still resides today. Knowing she was interested in a career in medicine, following her bachelor’s degree she went on to pursue a Doctor of Medicine degree from George Washington University School of Medicine. The doctor completed her general surgery residency at the University of Massachusetts, as well as a fellowship training in colon and rectal surgery at the same institution.

As you might have guessed, Dr. Sneider’s professional expertise lies in colon and rectal procedures, working with diverticular and malignant disease, hemorrhoid treatment and laser surgery, anal fistulas, inflammatory bowel disease and pelvic floor procedures.

To learn more about how Dr. Sneider can help you, give us a call at 631-321-6801 today!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we strive to provide open and minimally invasive surgical solutions for any vascular or general health issues you may face. If you live in Nassau, Suffolk or the surrounding areas and are in need of a surgeon, click here to view our website or call us 631-321-6801 to schedule your free consultation today.

How to Protect Your Skin This Summer!

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, each year in the US, nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer. With summer in full swing and beach season here at least, it’s very important to make sure that you’re exercising caution when exposing your skin to the sun. Here are a few tips to keep your skin healthy and happy this summer:

1. Exfoliate and Hydrate - Exfoliating your skin daily will remove dead skin cells and debris, which will help keep your skin clear of congestion and blemishes. It will also allow for sunblock and cosmetic applications to last longer. Make sure to apply moisturizer after exfoliating to keep your skin hydrated and drink plenty of water daily, especially on days where you’re exposed to heavy sunlight. Warm weather can dehydrate your body faster than usual, causing dried out skin, headaches and dizziness.

2. Apply and Re-apply - Sunblock and SPF products are your best friend in the summer. Whether you’re a person who has sensitive skin that tends to burn, or can achieve a beach bronze complexion, some degree of SPF is absolutely necessary. As a general rule, you should apply a teaspoon of sunblock to your face, and enough to fill a shot glass to your body every two hours. There are a wide variety of sun protection products to choose from for any skin type and skin sensitivity, so get out there and get some!

3. Soothe and Repair - Sometimes no matter how much protection you apply, a sunburn is still inevitable. The first step to dealing with the after effects of sun damage is soothing your skin. Lathering up with aloe or cooling gel can reduce redness and irritation, and help to prevent peeling. Sun damage leads to brown spots, coarse skin and wrinkles, in addition to increasing your risk for developing skin cancer. Using a ton of moisturizer and age-fighting products can help to repair your damaged skin. Remember to visit your dermatologist regularly to look out for abnormalities and keep an eye out for melanoma.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our doctors are trained to treat melanoma and other skin cancers with sentinel node techniques. If you or someone you know suspects that they may need skin surgery, or have already been diagnosed with melanoma, our surgeons can help. Call 631-321-6801 to schedule your consultation today.

Sclerotherapy vs. Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins

It’s no surprise that many people are eager to get rid of their unsightly varicose veins. The good news is, there are a few different ways to do so! In honor of National Beautician’s Day tomorrow, we’d like to dedicate this blog post to helping you choose the best treatment possible to beautify your body and get your legs vein-free for the beach this summer.

First, we’ll review the two most common types of varicose vein treatments: Sclerotherapy and Laser Therapy.

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure performed by injecting a chemical solution of sclerosant into your unwanted spider or varicose vein. The solution works to irritate, inflame and dry out the vein, causing it to collapse and be reabsorbed into the body. The body will compensate for the vein loss by redirecting blood to flow through alternative, deeper veins, significantly reducing the appearance and pain associated with varicose veins.

Laser Therapy is non-invasive, and require no chemical process. Instead, a laser is shot directly onto the vein through the skin, which heats up causing the blood to coagulate and collapse the vessel. The procedure itself usually takes between 15-20 minutes, and within four to six weeks the vein will be reabsorbed into the body, leaving virtually no trace of its existence.

Now, take a look at the comparative overview below, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment, and when they are typically recommended.

Sclerotherapy -- vs -- Laser Therapy
Advantages: Less expensive option  Faster and more effective Disadvantages: Not the best choice for all vascular medical and cosmetic needs  Recommended for: Reducing smaller, superficial spider veins on the hands and legs  Those with low pain thresholds  Patients with darker skin	Advantages: More effective than sclerotherapy when treating specific vascular issues Disadvantages: More expensive and less effective  Potentially more painful Recommended for: Veins in sensitive areas, like the face  Patients with a fear of needles or an allergy to sclerosant chemicals  Treatment of veins too small for injection

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we strive to provide surgical solutions for all of your cosmetic and medical vascular needs. Serving patients in Nassau, Suffolk and the surrounding areas, our team of leading surgeons is committed to providing exceptional services with state of the art technologies. For more information or to schedule a consultation, click here to view our website or call 631-321-6801 today.