Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Cancer

Reducing your risk of cancer goes far beyond eating healthy foods. Turns out there are many steps you can take to have a positive impact on your lifestyle. Below are just a few starters:

Stay away from tobacco. Most of us are well aware that tobacco is one of the leading causes of lung cancer, but did you know it can also lead to cancers of the throat, mouth, esophagus, as well as heart disease? If you or someone you know suffers from a nicotine addiction, now is the time to take small steps to quit. 

Set goals for sleeping right. The average person should get about 7 hours of sleep each night. Not only does a lack of sleep make your body work harder the next day and slow down your immune system, but it also induces unhealthy, sugary cravings.

Exercise often. Research shows that working out at least three days a week can lower your risk of colon cancer by about 50 percent, so make sure you dedicate at least 30 minutes to walking or biking. And don’t forget that even the small steps count, like taking the stairs or parking a few blocks from your destination.

Go for a screening. One of the best things you can do to reduce your risk of cancer is to get screened, especially if the disease runs in your family. The earlier you know what’s going on inside your body, the better chance you have at fighting potential precancerous growths.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we pride ourselves in the multitude of services and procedures that we offer to our patients in Nassau and Suffolk counties. 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, click here to view our website or call 631-321-6801 today.

Best Foods to Eat for Healthy Bowel Movements

Part of keeping your digestive tract healthy and your bowel movements regular is about eating the right foods. Most of us hear that vegetables are beneficial to our bodies, but do we know why?

Turns out that these types of foods are perfect examples of high-fiber foods, which is what helps you get rid of waste more easily. But the list doesn’t stop there! Below are four of the best fiber-rich foods to start adding to your diet today:

Whole Grains. Toss away those snacks filled with refined grains and replace them with whole-wheat alternatives, like bran cereal, whole-wheat flour, and whole-wheat bread. Wheat makes an excellent source of fiber that you should slowly incorporate into your diet - just be careful not to add too much too quickly, as you could wind up upsetting your digestive tract.

Fruit and vegetables. Top your morning bran cereal with blackberries or pair a steak with carrots and bell peppers. Both are great options to boost your digestive system and promote healthy bowel movements. Even a ½ cup serving of broccoli or pears can contain up to 3 grams of fiber, and even more if you avoid removing the skin off certain fruits.

Beans. Whether it be dried beans, lentils, or peas, adding beans to your pasta dish or salad bowl can help you eat your way to a healthier diet filled with fiber. Not to mention, there are plenty of options and tons of different flavors to choose from!

Water. While eating more fiber is good for healthy bowel movements, it can also cause possible gas and bloating. This is why drinking several glasses of water a day can help you minimize side effects. Plus, water is a beneficial fluid that promotes healthy digestion and softens your stools.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our doctors are trained to treat colon disorders with advanced technology. If you or someone you know suffers from unhealthy and irregular bowel movements and suspects that they may need colorectal surgery, our surgeons can help.

For more information call 631-321-6801 and schedule your consultation today.

Top Ways to Maintain a Healthy Colon

Keeping your colon healthy is one way to prevent diseases and live a good life. If you want to keep health problems at bay and need a little piece of advice, consider the following tips:

Drink lots of water. Drinking water is good for many things, but did you know it also works wonders for your digestive system? In fact, not drinking enough water can lead to constipation, bloating, possible IBS, and a buildup of toxins. Not to mention, when your body feels dehydrated it slows you down. So make sure you’re drinking an adequate amount of fluids each day to cleanse your body and keep toxins out of your colon.

Add fiber to your diet. Eat your way to a healthy lifestyle by slowly introducing fiber into your diet. You may not realize it, but you’re probably already eating fiber-rich foods already. Fruits such as bananas, raspberries, prunes, as well as certain vegetables and whole-wheat cereals are all beneficial for your colon. Just be sure not to eat too much fiber too quickly, as this can have a reverse effect on your body.

Listen to your body. Don’t make it a habit of holding it in. Regular bowel movements is the most natural way to cleanse your colon and keep it healthy. On the other side of that, holding in a bowel movement can put pressure on your insides and potentially lead to diverticulosis and IBS.

Make time for exercise. Increasing your blood circulation through means of exercise is one of the most ideal ways of making sure your colon gets the oxygen it needs to function properly. Even if you’ve checked the above three tips off your list, it’s also important to take preventative measures by exercising. You’d be surprised how much working out just 10 to 15 minutes a day can help you maintain a healthy colon.

Adopting a few lifestyle tips can help significantly lower your risk of developing colon cancer or other complications, so keep track of the foods you’re eating and listen to what your body is telling you.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our doctors are trained to treat colon disorders with laparoscopic or open techniques. If you or someone you know suspects that they may need colorectal surgery, our surgeons can help.

For more information call 631-321-6801 and schedule your consultation today.

Most Common Health Concerns in Elderly

National Grandparents Day is Sunday, September 13th. In recognition of this important holiday, Great South Bay Surgical Associates would like to stress how important it is to care for our elderly loved ones. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with signs of some of the most common health concerns out there. 

Arthritis. One of the most widely recognized illnesses in the elderly is Arthritis, which involves damaged joints in the body. Even though there are many different forms of this condition, perhaps the most commonly known form is Osteoarthritis, often caused by infection or injury. Take notice if a loved one complains of chronic pain and suffering in a general area of the body, as this could be an indication of damage joints.

Heart Failure. Another complication that affects many seniors is heart failure. This condition is due to a lack of blood being pumped through the heart, enough to satisfy the body’s needs. Look for signs of obesity, valve problems, and heart attacks, which all have the ability to weaken the effectiveness of the heart muscle. If a senior complains of coughing, shortness of breath, or even swelling of the ankles, make sure you seek a doctor’s help.

Cancer. While cancer affects people of all ages, it is another common problem often seen in the elderly. As you age, it gets easier for cells to become invaded and infections to spread throughout the body. If you know someone who smokes or has been exposed to excess amounts of radiation, it is possible that they can be more susceptible to cancer.

Parkinson’s Disease. Many cases of Parkinson’s disease can affect people who are at least sixty years of age. So, if you find that your loved one suffers from fatigue, tremors, troubles with balance, and joint stiffness, you might be looking at some signs of this disease.

While some health complications are easy to recognize, others are not. With that being said, your best bet is to consult a doctor to make sure that none of the above illnesses are of concern.

Established in 1909, Great South Bay Surgical Associates has been serving the community with the tradition of caring and quality for over 100 years. Every one of our surgeons has countless years of experience in the industry, performing open and minimally invasive general and oncological surgeries with precision.

For more information about our practice and the procedures that we offer, click here or call 631-321-6801.

7 Need-to-Know Facts About Varicose Veins

According to WomensHealth.gov, varicose veins have the potential to affect approximately 50% of people in the United States age 50 and over. With those odds, it’s important to make sure that you familiarize yourself with this common condition, it’s causes and methods of prevention. That being said, here are seven facts that you absolutely must know about varicose veins:

1. Crossing your legs is not as bad as it seems. Though sitting with your legs crossed or wearing high heels can somewhat increase the pressure put on your legs, and therefore increase your risk of developing varicose veins, there is no direct negative result of doing so.

2. Sitting or standing for long periods of time is risky. When you sit or stand for hours at a time each day, the blood in your leg veins begins to pool, weakening the vein valves and walls. In addition, family history, obesity, smoking, lack of regular exercise and hormonal birth control, are all factors that can increase your risk for this vascular condition.

3. Varicose veins are more than a cosmetic issue. In fact, ignoring varicose veins and forgoing treatment could lead to fatigue and restlessness in the legs, swelling and and overall feeling of discomfort. Long term effects can include deep vein thrombosis, blood clots, and poor circulation.

4. Though similar, varicose veins and spider veins are not the same. Spider veins are thin, blue blood vessels that are visible through the skin and are generally harmless, while varicose veins are raised, rope-like veins that are visible protruding above the skin. To learn more about the differences between the two, see our past blog post here.

5. Men can develop varicose veins too. Though records show that 70-80% of patients treated are female, a small percentage of men can suffer from varicose veins as well. Overall, “about 50-55% percent of women and 40-45% percent of men in the United States suffer from some type of vein problem.”

6. Pregnancy can cause or worsen varicose veins. While carrying, the inferior vena cava can be subjected to increased pressure caused by a blood flow blockage. Pregnancy hormones can also weaken the vein walls.

7. Exercise is the best way to prevent varicose veins. Physical activity that boost circulation, like swimming, walking and climbing stairs, can help to reduce your chances of developing these unsightly veins.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we understand our patients’ needs for varicose vein removal, which is why we offer three types of treatments: Laser, sclerotherapy injections and inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement.

To learn more about our vascular surgery options, call 631-321-6801 to schedule a consultation today.

Pre-Surgery Do’s and Don’ts

Are you preparing for a surgical procedure, but are not sure what your responsibilities are? Don’t panic! Here’s a quick list of some common do’s and don’ts to keep in mind while preparing for the big day:

Don’t eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your surgery. Your physician may give you specific instructions regarding what you can and can’t eat or drink in the days leading up to your surgery, so be sure to follow them.

Don’t smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol before your surgery. Smoking can cause respiratory and anesthesia complications, and alcohol can affect the outcome of your surgery as a whole.

Don’t take our insulin or diabetic pill the morning of your surgery if you’re diabetic, but do bring it with you and notify the doctor of your condition at check-in.

Do bring any prescription and over-the-counter medications that you take regularly if your surgery requires an overnight stay, and provide a detailed list including frequency, dosage and strength for each.

Do wear comfortable, loose-fitting and easy-to store clothing on the day of your surgery, but don’t bring any jewelry or valuables with you.

Do wear hearing aids on the day of your surgery if you need them for everyday hearing. That way, you’ll be able to hear and understand everything that is said to you prior to your procedure.

Don’t forget to bring a denture cup with you if you wear dentures regularly. All non-permanent dental work must be removed prior to surgery.

Do opt to wear glasses on the day of your surgery instead of contacts if needed. In the event that you’re unable to wear glasses, don’t forget to bring a lens case and solution.

Do wear your hair loose and free of any bobby pins, clips or restrictive hair bands. Also remember to remove and wigs, hairpieces or extensions before surgery.

Don’t wear any makeup, perfume, creams, lotions or deodorants on the day of your procedure.

Still have pre-surgery questions? Just give us a call at 631-321-6801 and we’d be happy to help. If you’re worried about pre-surgery jitters, click here to see some tips on how to overcome them!

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.

What Causes a Hernia & Who is At Risk?

A hernia is characterized by a break in an organ wall, usually in the abdomen, where a piece of an adjacent organ is protruding through. This causes a visible lump that can sometimes be accompanied with pain and swelling. Hernias can occur in people of all ages with little to know warning. Here are a few known causes and risk factors that can help you take the measures necessary to prevent a hernia from occurring.

What causes a hernia to develop?

• Obesity: Those who are overweight will have a higher level of internal pressure acting on their organs. 
• Cystic Fibrosis: This disease can cause chronic coughing in some patients, which increases the internal pressure of the person. It can also be accompanied by weakening of the muscles and body tissues, leaving them susceptible to hernias.
• Ascites: This condition occurs when there is a build-up of fluid in the abdomen, leading to increased internal pressure.
• Irregular Bowel Movements: Constipation and straining can put pressure on your insides, specifically the “corset” tissues.
• Pregnancy: In its later stages, pregnancy can cause umbilical hernias due to the abdominal pressure built up by the mature fetus.
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: This disease causes a decrease in collagen and weakness in the body’s connective tissue, leaving opportunity for organs to push their way through.

What are the risk factors, and who is most susceptible?

• Age: Though babies can be born with hernias and it’s not unheard of for children to develop them, adults and elderly people are more susceptible since their tissues tend to weaken over time.
• Gender: Depending on the type of hernia, different genders may be more susceptible to different conditions based on their natural body makeup. For example, men are more prone to inguinal hernias, while women are more prone to femoral and umbilical hernias.
• Family History: Like many medical conditions, hernias can be hereditary. In addition, hereditary diseases that weaken muscles and organ tissue can also put a person at a higher risk rate.
• Lifestyle: Doing heavy lifting on a daily basis, whether exercise or work related, can put excessive strain and pressure on the body.
• Medical History: Those who have had surgical procedures or medical conditions in the past that affect body tissue have a higher chance of developing hernias than those that have not.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our surgeons are experts in all aspects of open and minimally invasive hernia correction procedures. Rest assured that our doctors will always handle your surgery with precision and care. For more information, call 631-321-6801.