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healthyl i v i n g Spring 2010

often see patients with symptomatic disease whose only complaint is “indigestion.” Patients usually I mean that they have symptoms such as abdominal or pressure, excessive belching, or . While patients often become accustomed to these symptoms, they could be caused by potentially serious gallbladder disease. The more classical symptoms include severe right upper quadrant or mid upper that radiates to the back or right shoulder and is precipitated by fatty meals. Some patients have back pain or chest pain. In fact, it is not unusual for a patient to visit the emergency department for evaluation of a suspected heart attack and ultimately be diagnosed with gallstones. There are many ways that gallbladder disease can present, and some of the symptoms can be fairly subtle and surprising.

Early Diagnosis Is Important It is important to diagnose and treat symptomatic gallbladder disease promptly as the complications of untreated gallstones are potentially serious. These potential complications include infection, gangrene, and even rupture of the gallbladder, all of which can require emergency surgery. Other possible complications include passage of gallstones into the , which can cause damage and infection, as well as pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is a very serious disease and, on occasion, can be life-threatening. Is It Just Indigestion Gallstones are the main cause of gallbladder disease and are usually diagnosed by obtaining an ultrasound of the . If gallstones are not seen on the Or Something ultrasound, the symptoms may still be a result of gallbladder disease. A test called a hepatobiliary scan is obtained in this situation to evaluate the function Serious? of the gallbladder. By Scott Allen, M.D. Proper Treatment Laparoscopic is the preferred treatment for symptomatic gallbladder disease. This is a surgical procedure in which four small incisions are made on the Scott Allen, M.D., General Surgeon abdomen. It is done under general anesthesia, and patients usually go home the same day. Patients often return to Dr. Allen is a surgeon on nonstrenuous jobs in five to seven days. staff at USMDDr Hospital The next time you think your symptoms are “just at Arlington. To schedule indigestion,” think about discussing it with your physician an appointment, call instead. Those symptoms may be more significant than (817) 275-3309. you realize. ■

2 urinary incontinence | 3 colon | 4 free health seminars Tracy Cannon-Smith, M.D., Urology Dr. Cannon-Smith is a urologist on staffDr at USMD Hospital at Arlington. To schedule an appointment with her, call (817) 784-0818.

• Abnormality such as stroke, spinal cord injury, or multiple sclerosis • Leakage of urine that prevents activities Take Control of • Leakage of urine that began or contin- ued after surgery Urinary Incontinence • Frequent bladder infections

By Tracy Cannon-Smith, M.D. Diagnosis and Treatment The symptoms of UI may resemble other conditions or medical problems. So it is important to consult a physician for a com- rinary incontinence (UI) is the What Are the Symptoms? plete that focuses on inability to hold your urine until The following are the most common symp- the urinary and nervous systems, reproduc- U you can reach a restroom. toms of UI. However, each individual may tive organs, and urine samples. In many According to the National Association experience symptoms differently. cases, patients will then be referred to a for Continence, approximately 25 million Symptoms may include: urologist, a physician who specializes in adult Americans experience temporary • Inability to urinate diseases of the urinary tract. or chronic urinary incontinence. UI can • Pain related to filling the bladder Treatment may include: strike at any age, but women older than and/or pain related to urination without • Certain behavioral techniques (including age 50 are the most likely to develop it. a proven bladder infection pelvic muscle exercises, biofeedback, UI can range from the discomfort of slight • Progressive weakness of the urinary and bladder training) losses of urine to severe, frequent wetting. stream with or without a feeling of • Medications Incontinence is not an inevitable incomplete bladder emptying • Surgery (if the incontinence is related to result of aging, but is particularly com- • An increased rate of urination without structural problems such as an abnor- mon in older people. It is often caused a proven bladder infection mally positioned bladder or a blockage) by specific changes in body function • Need to rush to the restroom and/or a • Diet modifications (including eliminat- that may result from diseases, use of loss of urine if you do not get to the ing caffeine in coffee, soda, and tea, medications, and/or the onset of an ill- restroom in time and/or eliminating alcohol) ness. Sometimes, it is the first and only • Abnormal urination or changes in There are many products and devices symptom of a urinary tract infection. urination related to a nervous system available for managing UI. ■

Understanding the Risks of High Pressure As blood moves through the arteries, it puts pressure damage the brain—than those with normal blood pressure. on the artery walls. This pressure goes up and down Detecting high blood pressure early and controlling it can depending on several things, including physical activity, help you avoid such life-threatening conditions. diet, and medications. A person has high blood pressure when the pressure is elevated most of the time over a Keep It in Check period of time. There are things you can do to prevent It’s important to keep tabs on your blood pressure. If it’s and/or control high blood pressure: high and you don’t know it, or if you don’t control it, you • Don’t smoke. may be at greater risk for heart attack, heart failure, stroke, • Maintain a healthy weight. kidney disease, and other serious conditions. For example, • Eat a heart-healthy diet. a study reported in Neurology found that people with high • Be physically active. blood pressure were 60 percent more likely to have “silent” • Watch your salt and sodium intake. strokes—strokes that don’t cause obvious symptoms but • Take medication as prescribed.

2 USMD Hospital at Arlington | www.usmdarlington.com Could Weight- Early Detection Is the Key Loss Surgery Save Your Life? to Beating Colon Cancer The benefits of weight-loss surgery go beyond what the eye can see. If you are By Ronald S. Kline, M.D. obese, surgery to lose weight may be safer than carrying around those extra olorectal cancer is the pounds. If you’re dealing with diabetes third most common cancer as well, weight-loss surgery might send affecting both men and the disease into long-term remission. C But is losing weight worth the risks women. Almost 150,000 new cases occur every year, but the associated with surgery? Take a look number of deaths from colorectal at the latest research. cancer has declined. This is attributed to early detection by Lower Odds of Dying for Obese colonoscopic examination and A National Institutes of Health study removal of polyps. found that 10 to 15 years after having affects weight-loss surgery, obese patients the colon () were less likely to develop—and more and , and its incidence likely to recover from—diabetes and usually increases when people other heart disease risk factors. reach their 50s and thereafter. Most cases occur spontaneously, Balancing Benefits and Risks but there are some incidences Another study found weight-loss sur- of familial , and long- gery to be a safe treatment for severe standing colitis may lead to the obesity. The incidence of death and development of cancer. adverse events within 30 days after Symptoms of colorectal cancer surgery was very low. It matched the vary. At first, there may be no rates seen with other major surgeries. symptoms, especially from tumors in the right side of the colon where the stool is liquid. , or inflammatory bowel The most common symptoms of disease. Any such symptoms warrant colorectal cancer are: discussion with your physician. • A change in bowel habits, such as Screening for colorectal cancer is , , or narrowing an important means for the prevention, of the stool that lasts for more than detection, and treatment of colorectal a few days cancer. Screening methods include: •  or blood in the stool Digital (DRE). • Cramping or gnawing abdominal This can detect low-lying polyps and pain/ tumors. Consider Your Candidacy • Weakness and fatigue Fecal occult blood test. This checks Weight-loss surgery is typically recom- • Unexplained for the presence of hidden blood in the mended for adults with a body mass •  or yellowing of the skin stool. index (BMI) of 40 or greater. If you The symptoms may resemble other . A long, flexible tube have a serious health condition, such conditions such as infections, with a camera inserted through the as diabetes or heart disease, you may rectum allows the physician to see the want to look into surgery if your BMI is entire colon and remove tissue samples 35 or greater. Also consider how ready Ronald S. Kline, M.D., (biopsies) or polyps. This is usually you are to make a change. Colon and Rectal Surgery performed in an outpatient setting under mild sedation. Attend one of our FREE weight- Dr. Kline specializesDr in Barium enema. An X-ray that allows loss surgery seminars to find out surgery of the colon and the physician to see the colon and more about your options. See rectum. To schedule an detect of any lesions within the wall. page 4 for the date and time of appointment, please call With early screening and detection, our next seminar. (817) 419-8748. colorectal cancer can be treatable and curable. ■

Living Healthy, Spring 2010 | USMD Hospital at Arlington 3 USMD Hospital at Arlington Presorted Standard 801 W. Interstate 20 US Postage Arlington, TX 76017 PAID USMD Hospital at Arlington

UPCOMING seminars The following FREE seminars will be offered at USMD Hospital at Arlington.

ED and Incontinence Seminar Dr. Price and Dr. Johnson May 4 at 6:30 p.m. Pain in the Learn about treatments for erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence, Neck? from new drugs to penile implants. USMD Hospital Knee and Hip Pain Seminar at Arlington Dr. Rodriguez May 5 at 10 a.m. Offers Cervical Learn how to manage knee and hip Artificial Disk pain. Both surgical and non-surgical Replacement treatments will be discussed. By Jeffrey Heitkamp, M.D. Bariatric Seminar Dr. Lyons and Dr. Dyslin May 20 at 6 p.m. ervical disk herniation results June 17 at 6 p.m. from bulging or tearing of the Find out if procedures such as adjust- hinge-like device. It is implanted through cartilage between two neck verte- able gastric band placement or sleeve C an anterior (front) approach to replace brae, causing nerve root compression. are an option for you. the disk. This device is showing consid- This commonly causes neck, shoulder, erable promise to preserve mobility and and arm pain with arm weakness and prevent and degeneration at adja- Men’s Health Seminar numbness. Definite diagnosis is made Dr. Bevan-Thomas and Dr. Price cent joint levels. A 10 to 14-day recovery with MRI scanning. If the patient fails to June 22 at 6:30 p.m. period is common. No neck collar or improve with medical management (anti- Get the facts about prostate cancer, the brace is required. inflammatory medication, steroids, or robotic prostatectomy, and other health Cervical disk replacement (arthroplas- traction), surgery is indicated. issues men face today, including ED. ty) has been performed at USMD Since the 1950s, anterior cervical disk Hospital at Arlington since 2006. Patients removal and fusion has been a common can usually return to light-duty occupa- To sign up for one of these FREE operation. This involves removal of the usmdarlington.com tions in seven to 10 days ■ seminars, visit damaged cervical disk and fusion of the and click on “Seminars & Events.” disk space with a banked bone graft and titanium plate. Jeffrey Heitkamp, M.D., Neurosurgery Recently cervical disk joint replace- Dr. Heitkamp is a neuro- LIVING healthy ment (arthroplasty) has become popular surgeon on staff at USMD Living Healthy is published by USMD Hospital Dr to preserve joint motion. Artificial disks Hospital at Arlington. To at Arlington to educate readers about issues important to their health. It is not intended to have been used in Europe for 20 years. schedule an appointment replace consultation with a personal physician. Two devices are now approved for use with Dr. Heitkamp, call © 2010. Printed in the U.S.A. in the U.S. The synthetic disk device is (817) 274-4593.

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