Sept. 29 is World Heart Day, aimed to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease. Since eating a healthy diet can positively impact several risk factors of heart disease, it’s a good time to learn more and take action. Take this to heartCardiovascular disease, or heart disease, is a general term that refers to a list of heart conditions such as high … Read More
New treatment offers new hope for those with Hepatitis C
With the recent FDA approval of a new drug and studies that indicate the effectiveness of new drug combinations for the treatment of Hepatitis C, it appears that we are well on our way to revolutionizing treatment of this potentially deadly liver disease. The need for a new, more effective treatment is significant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention … Read More
Have you heard about GERD?
In 1999, the U.S. National Health Observances calendar was updated to designate the week of Thanksgiving as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Awareness Week. What is this condition, and why does it merit a national awareness week, especially one that includes America’s holiday centered on eating? GERD is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that … Read More
Stomach Cancer Awareness Month: Disease less prevalent in United States but remains dangerous
With November serving as host to our country’s most food-centered holiday, it seems fitting that in 2010 the U.S. Senate passed a resolution designating it as Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. Stomach cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, according to tracking statistics. Nearly one million people are diagnosed with stomach cancer each year, and the disease takes the … Read More
Gastrointestinal Associates proud of its record: zero cases of C. difficile infection
An intestinal pathogen can wreak havoc within hospitals and medical facilities, putting patients at considerable risk of infection and its accordant complications. Avoiding an outbreak is paramount at our three endoscopy centers at Gastrointestinal Associates. A recent study presented in Denver at the 53rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) noted that the rates of Clostridium difficile infection … Read More
An Aspirin a Day…
Could something as simple as taking one low-dose aspirin a day help keep colon cancer at bay? Research indicates that, particularly for those at high risk of colorectal cancer, the regimen might be worth considering in addition to proper screening and a healthy diet. To shed some light on the subject, I’ll provide brief details from a few recent studies:
GIA Physicians applaud FDA’s Definition of ‘Gluten Free’
Imagine if eating a certain food ingredient would not only make you sick, but also threaten your health or possibly even your life? What if you couldn’t trust that foods labeled free of this ingredient were accurate? That’s been the situation faced by millions of people who have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. The only treatment for these conditions is … Read More
“Living Well Gluten Free” workshops
Gastrointestinal Associates, in partnership with Knoxville author and celiac disease expert Janet McKenzie Prince, will present a free, public workshops to help people who have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity understand their condition and learn how to shop, prepare healthy meals and eat at restaurants. The workshop, “Living Well Gluten Free” will be held Thursday, October 17. Gastrointestinal Associates physician … Read More
Probiotics: As good as advertised?
“Take a few billion bacteria and call me in the morning.” With all the advertising attention paid to probiotics these days, it seems that this unlikely remedy might be the best prescription for many ailments. Are the results as good as advertised, and are these “good” bacteria really safe? Recent research sheds some light on the subject.
Behind the scenes: Highest caliber, fellowship-trained pathologists examine all patient specimens in GIA’s on-premises laboratory
Patients are accustomed to developing face-to-face relationships with their physician, the practice nurses and even the front desk staff. Delivering health care is a very personal endeavor. Conversely, laboratory services can be very impersonal, with many giant commercial labs located thousands of miles away from physician practices and patients.