Medical Focus

Health Care News You Can Use

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Now Offering Incisionless Surgery to Treat Swallowing Issues

Patients with a disorder of the esophagus that makes swallowing difficult now have a local option for advanced endoscopic surgery that can provide relief.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital surgeon Aman Ali, M.D., recently performed the first-ever peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) procedure in Fort Bend County to treat a patient with achalasia, a disorder caused by nerve damage to the esophagus. People with achalasia have difficulty swallowing food and liquids and often will regurgitate undigested food. Without treatment, achalasia becomes progressively worse and can be life-threatening, because it increases the risk of choking or pneumonia from aspiration of food into the lungs.

The traditional treatment for achalasia is a surgical procedure called Heller myotomy, which involves multiple incisions on the abdomen. The POEM procedure is a non-invasive approach to esophagogastric myotomy, using a flexible endoscope inserted through the mouth into the esophagus. Once in place, the physician makes an incision in the esophageal mucosa, which is the inside layer of the esophagus. Then, through this incision, a submucosal tunnel is created to expose the tight lower esophageal sphincter muscle. The surgeon then cuts this muscle at the lower esophageal sphincter, which is called a myotomy, making it easier for food and liquid to pass through.

“Because we aren’t making incisions to the skin and muscles in the abdomen and chest area, the patient heals more quickly and has less post-operative pain,” Ali said. “It’s a more effective approach to treating achalasia than traditional open Heller myotomy or even minimally invasive laparoscopic Heller myotomy.”

Patients typically spend one night in the hospital and undergo a swallow study before being released.

Ali’s patient for that first procedure was 79-year-old Beatrice Pickard of Friendswood, whose achalasia had progressed to the point where she couldn’t eat or drink anything without vomiting.

“I was really sick, but I was afraid of having surgery,” Pickard said. “When I saw Dr. Ali for the first time, he immediately put me at ease. He really listened to me and didn’t dismiss my symptoms. I felt very comfortable with him, especially because he took the time to explain how the procedure works and what I would experience.”

Pickard’s procedure was successful and following a short hospital stay, she returned home. “I never had any pain of any kind,” she said. “It was easy.”

After surgery, Pickard was on a liquid diet for several weeks and has now progressed to a soft diet. After her next follow-up visit, she expects to be back to eating solid foods.

Prior to the introduction of POEM to Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, patients would have to travel to the Texas Medical Center for the procedure. Now, Ali plans to use POEM to treat both achalasia and another condition called gastroparesis, which affects the stomach’s ability to empty properly.

“This is an advanced treatment that has direct benefits to the patient,” Ali said. “Our operating room and endoscopy teams have worked hard to make it possible for us to offer this procedure here at Houston Methodist Sugar Land, and we plan to utilize it whenever possible to help local patients improve their quality of life.”

Pickard said she would recommend Houston Methodist Sugar Land to anyone who is struggling with achalasia. “Trust your body,” she said. “It’s telling you something is wrong and you need to find someone who can take care of you. If it weren’t for Dr. Ali, I would still be having trouble.”

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Ali, call 281.275.0211. Visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland to learn more about Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.

Seven Pregnancy Myths and Truths About Pregnancy from OakBend Medical Center

Myth: I can now eat for two.

Truth: For the first trimester, you only need an additional 300 calories a day, and during the second and third trimesters, you only need an extra 500 calories a day.

Myth: It’s okay to have an occasional glass of wine.

Truth: There is no safe amount or type of alcohol during pregnancy, and even moderate intake can lead to lifelong problems for your baby.

Myth Do not drink coffee.

Truth: Small amounts of coffee, like one cup a day, is usually fine.

Myth: Do not take a hot bath.

Truth: Make sure the water is not too hot, and avoid spa baths as they make your temperature rise, which may lead to overheating, fainting or dehydration.

Myth: Don’t dye your hair.

Truth: Today’s hair dyes have shallow doses of chemicals, but if you are worried, look for a semi-permanent vegetable dye.

Myth: Don’t exercise.

Truth: You should exercise 20 to 30 minutes per day, 4 to 5 times per week, but avoid exercises that can lead to falling, such as horseback riding or skiing.

Myth: Expensive creams can help avoid stretch marks.

Truth: There is no proof that any cream or oil will prevent stretch marks, which most likely will fade in time.

You should know about a few more myths, so make an appointment with your OakBend OB/GYN today. For more information, visit www.oakbendmedcenter.org

Fort Bend Rheumatology Associates: Specialized Care and Therapies in One Convenient Location

For over 17 years, founder and CEO of Fort Bend Rheumatology Associates (FBRA), J. Edward Hernandez, MD, FACR, has specialized in the treatment of autoimmune diseases that affect the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments and tendons – diseases that can cause pain, swelling, stiffness and potentially cause joint deformities. His philosophy of patient-centered care focuses on specialized services in one convenient location, which has led his practice to grow to include two additional board-certified MDs, two Physician Assistants, an inhouse lab, a suite for in-house infusion therapy, two locations and an on-site Physical Therapist.

FBRA’s expert team of medical specialists treat: Ankylosing Spondylitis, Antiphospholipid Syndrome, Giant Cell Arteritis, Gout, Psoriatic Arthritis, Raynaud’s, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma, Sjogren’s Syndrome, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Vasculitis. On-site patient services include Physical Therapy to improve mobility and restore the use of affected joints, specialty labs for in-house blood draws and ultrasound guided joint injections to assist doctors with targeting the precise site of joint pain.

FBRA’s in-house infusion suites offer a comfortable setting to provide immu notherapy for various rheumatic diseases and hydration therapy that delivers fluid and vitamins directly into the blood stream via an IV. Several immune boosting, energy increasing, anti-inflammatory and hydration therapies can be administered based on a patient’s needs.

New to FBRA is Dr. Nasha Nensey, a board-certified rheumatologist who recently graduated from the fellowship program at Baylor College of Medicine. She joins Dr. Hernandez and Dr. Ryan Valicek.

FBRA is located at 7616 Branford Place, Suite 320 in Sugar Land and 208 Oak Drive South, Suite 100 B in Lake Jackson. For more information or to make an appointment, visit www.FortBendRheumatology.com or call 281.980.1742.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land: Leading Medicine in Fort Bend and Beyond

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is committed to leading medicine by delivering the Houston Methodist standard of unparalleled quality, safety, service and innovation to patients in Fort Bend County and surrounding areas. With more than 1,000 affiliated physicians and 2,500 employees, Houston Methodist Sugar Land offers access to the most innovative care available, including comprehensive cancer care; neuroscience and spine care; orthopedics and sports medicine; heart and vascular care; women’s services; bariatric and digestive care; and advanced imaging — all backed by a focus on healing people today and offering hope for tomorrow.

Since opening in 1998, Houston Methodist Sugar Land has continually expanded to meet the community’s needs. Today, the campus houses:

• Three patient care pavilions with 347 beds and 27 operating rooms.

• Three medical office buildings, with a fourth opening this year.

• Centers of Excellence in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, orthopedics, urology and women’s services.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land also offers a stand-alone emergency center near Sienna and specialized physician offices throughout Fort Bend County, including primary care offices serving First Colony, Brooks Street, Aliana, Riverstone, Sienna and Rosenberg.

What really sets Houston Methodist Sugar Land apart is its patient-centric operational philosophy, one built on a strong sense of mission and a deeply ingrained commitment to Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence – the Houston Methodist I CARE values. These values guide the staff’s daily interactions with patients, family members and each other, as well as provide a strong foundation for their focus on personal, individualized care.

As Fort Bend grows and health care moves forward, Houston Methodist Sugar Land will continue to invest in the community’s health and well-being, ensuring that residents have a first-class choice for medical care.

For more information about Houston Methodist Sugar Land, visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland or call 281.274.7500 to find a physician near you.

SUGAR LAND ARTS FEST TICKET SALES ARE OFFICIALLY OPEN!

The Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation (SLCAF) announces the opening of ticket sales for the second annual Sugar Land Arts Festival (SLAF), presented by PrimeWay Federal Credit Union.

Sugar Land, Texas is known for hosting some of the best events in the region, and we look forward to you joining us! So, let’s get together and celebrate the arts in Sugar Land. Are you going to join us? We ART excited to see you there!

Two days of Festival Fun!

This year’s event will be held on April 1st thru 2nd, at the Smart Financial Centre Plaza, and now is a fantastic opportunity to get limited-time “early bird” online tickets through the official website.

“Early bird” tickets are now available at just $8 each at www.sugarlandartsfest. com. “So, if you haven’t already started to hear about the Sugar Land Arts Fest, get ready!” said Bridget Yeung, Board Member of the Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation and Co-Chair of the 2023 Sugar Land Arts Fest. “The $8 ‘early bird‘ tickets are limited in quantity, so get yours before they sell out!”

The Sugar Land Arts Festival, presented by PrimeWay Federal Credit Union, is a two-day event showcasing the cultural and artistic diversity of Sugar Land and beyond, where attendees can experience high-quality visual and performing arts while enjoying handselected wines, delicious food and live music.

The City of Sugar Land is again partnering with the Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation to celebrate this second annual event on an even bigger and better level, meaning this arts festival expects to be, one more time, the top event on the region’s calendar.

Be the first to know about entertainment, schedules and more by following the SLAF on social media: @SugarLandArtsFest and subscribe at www.sugarlandartsfest.com.

To get tickets and for more general information, please visit www.sugarlandartsfest. com