Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are very similar; in fact, many people confuse the two diseases since they seem interchangeable. However, distinguishing between ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease is important, as there are key differences in the way they are managed. Read on as the team at Piedmont Colorectal Associates shares what to know about […]
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Advice for the Young Colorectal Cancer Patient
Though colorectal cancer was once regarded as a disease affecting mostly older adults, or adults over the age of 50, data shows a sharp increase in the rate of cases in younger age groups. Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that colorectal cancer cases are rising in adults between the ages […]
What Are the Warning Signs of Diverticulitis?
Research suggests that more than half of people in the United States over the age of 60 have diverticulosis, which is the presence of small pouches called diverticula that form in weak spots of the intestines. Many people with diverticulosis do not know they have it until the pouches become inflamed or infected by bacteria […]
4 Reasons Why a Colonoscopy Isn’t As Bad As You Think
Are you putting off scheduling a colonoscopy because you are worried about the procedure or the preparation? You are not alone. The idea of undergoing a colonoscopy can make even the bravest person wary. But a colonoscopy is not as bad as you may think. The Piedmont Colorectal Associates team explains why in this post.
Probiotic vs. Prebiotic
The human gut contains a hundred trillion bacterial microbes that are fundamental to optimal health. Our metabolism, body weight, immune function, digestive system and other critical functions are influenced by the health of these microbes. Research also shows that a healthy gut has mental health benefits — i.e., we are less likely to have depression […]
Trends in Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is an incredibly serious public health issue, as it is the third most common cancer diagnosed among Americans and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women combined. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 104,000 new cases of colon cancer and 43,000 new cases of rectal cancer will […]
Will I Keep My Colon After a Cancer Diagnosis?
One of the most common questions that the doctors at Piedmont Colorectal Associates receive from patients facing colorectal cancer is whether they will lose their colon due to treatment. The answer varies from patient to patient, depending on the severity and location of the cancer. In general, if cancer is found at a very early […]
The Importance of Detecting Polyps
When a surgeon scans the intestinal tract with a colonoscope, one of the goals is to find small, benign growths known as polyps. The problem with polyps is that they don’t always remain benign. Over time they can become malignant, spreading cancer throughout your colon and beyond. Below, the experienced Atlanta-area doctors of Piedmont Colorectal […]
The Day of Your Colonoscopy
For patients undergoing their first colonoscopy, the day of the procedure can bring a mixture of apprehension and relief. The relief comes from the knowledge that soon there will be no need to ingest large amounts of prep liquid, and the daily special on the home menu will no longer be beef bouillon or lime […]
Surgery with the da Vinci System
Five centuries ago a great artist, scientist and inventor wrote: “Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” That man was Leonardo da Vinci himself, and today his eloquent principle has been wondrously applied to a surgical system which bears his name, a robotic assistant that translates the vision of the surgeon […]