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submitted by: admin on 05/12/2015
Gastroenterologists and the American Society for Gastroenterology recommend screening colonoscopies begin at age 50 and be repeated every 10 years unless there is a special indication for more often. However, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is questioning this recommendation.
A study published in the September 2014 issue of...
submitted by: admin on 05/16/2015
Most of us assume the colonoscopy is a routine screening test we all need at age 50. However, the data is controversial and it can be argued that for people who are asymptomatic that there's no benefit when complications are considered.
submitted by: admin on 09/18/2013
Aspirin is the most used drug in the US. They are not safe because of bleeding and perforations. Over the counter substitutes are readily available and work well and their acceptance.
submitted by: admin on 02/17/2015
Screening for colon cancer is controversial even though we are advised to have a colonoscopy at age 50 as a routine. However, in asymptomatic people the risk of perforation or GI bleeding offsets the benefits. The role of other screens such as occult blood in the stool, barium enemas, sigmoidoscopy and virtual colonoscopies is discussed.
submitted by: admin on 06/18/2016
The Journal of the National Cancer Institute published an article saying that colonoscopy for primary screening might be going too far. I agree! The benefits, harms, and costs have not been determined. Checking the stool for ocult blood and flexible sigmoidoscopy have been shown to be of value but there's no data showing that colonoscopy gives additional...
submitted by: admin on 09/19/2013
Dr. Len discusses the pros and cons for a routine colonoscopy for colon cancer screening. In asymptomatic people without a family history of cancer, the risks of doing a colonoscopy may exceed the benefits. Bowel perforations and severe GI bleeding are complications in 1 in 200 tests. Other screening tests are reviewed too.
submitted by: admin on 06/18/2016
When do you need a colonoscopy? An article in Annals of Internal Medicine in May of 2012 stated that there's insufficient evidence to recommend earlier or more frequent colonoscopies for people who have a first degree relative with a precancerous polyp unless the polyp is advanced. About 30-50% of people have polyps that are precancerous, but only 5-10% warrant...
submitted by: admin on 09/20/2013
Dr. Len and Nurse Vicki discuss the pros and cons for a routine colonoscopy for colon cancer screening. In asymptomatic people without a family history of cancer, the risks of doing a colonoscopy may exceed the benefits. Bowel perforations and severe GI bleeding are complications in 1 in 200 tests. Other screening tests are reviewed too.
submitted by: admin on 10/09/2013
Inflammation has now been shown to promote healing, so using anti-inflammatory analgesics, while they control pain and swelling, retard healing. Injuries stimulate the production of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor) and the body manages a symphony when it comes to regulating inflammation and healing. Steroids are the ultimate example of reducing inflammation...
submitted by: admin on 10/12/2013
Even a few NSAIDs may be unsafe if you have heart disease. Shockingly data on 83,000 patients shows that even a week of treatment led to another heart attack or dying 45% more often if they had a prior heart attack. The percentage rose to 60% if treatment was for 30 days. There is no safe window for NSAIDs in people with a prior heart attack. There...
submitted by: admin on 10/14/2013
Peptic Ulcers affect up to 10% of us over our lifetime. Symptoms generally include burning in the upper abdomen, dull aching pain, and sometimes nausea and vomiting, especially if they are complicated by hemorrhaging or perforation of the intestinal wall. Peptic ulcers occur in the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. H. pylori is believed to cause about 50% of all...
submitted by: admin on 12/25/2024
Peptic Ulcers affect up to 10% of us over our lifetime. Symptoms generally include burning in the upper abdomen, dull aching pain, and sometimes hemorrhaging and even perforation of the gut lining. They occur in the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. H. pylori is believed to cause about 50% of all peptic ulcers. NSAIDS including aspirin are common causes of ulcers...
submitted by: admin on 06/18/2016
Medical professional groups and cancer advocacy groups need to refocus on educating rather than persuading about cancer testing. The harms of screening have been largely dismissed. It is easy to sell screening, just magnify the benefit, minimize the cost, and hide the data about their value.
These tests are big business and there are conflicts...