LAPAROSCOPIC COLORECTAL SURGERY WITH ROBOTIC ASSIST

The colon (also called the large bowel or large intestine) is a muscular tube that forms the last part of the digestive tract. It absorbs water and helps prepare waste to be expelled from the body.

The colon is about 4 to 6 feet long. The rectum is the last 6 inches of the colon. The colon can develop many problems, such as polyps (fleshly clumps of tissue that form on the lining of the colon or rectum), cancer, infection, and inflammation are also problems that may occur.

Colonoscopy is the best test doctors have for finding colorectal problems. The colonoscopy provides an inside view of the entire colon. If you should have any of the following symptoms: Bleeding/blood in the stool/ weight loss unexplained/ anemia/ abdominal pain/ history of diverticulitis/ polyps/change in stool/ constipation/ diarrhea/ rectal pains you should see your physician. Even without any symptoms a colonoscopy is recommended after certain age as screening to prevent any future problems that may occur.

One of the abnormal findings that may be seen in a colonoscopy is polyps. Small polyps are usually benign (not cancerous) and can be removed during the colonoscopy. However, over time, cells in a polyp can change and become cancerous. The larger a polyp grows, the more likely this is to happen. Almost all colorectal cancers start when polyp cells begin to grow abnormally. As a cancerous tumor grows, it may involve more and more of the colon or rectum. Surgery may then be needed to remove the tumor.

Our surgeons offer the most minimally invasive surgery with current up to date technology in Colorectal Surgery today. This new technology includes Laparoscopic with use of Robot Patients recover faster with less complications, and shorter hospital stays. Surgical treatment for tumors, diverticular disease, and inflammatory bowel disease, are among some of the common conditions treated.

We urge all our patients to consult with their physicians about scheduling their colonoscopy as part of a medical evaluation. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our offices for further information.

You’ll often hear people say they’ve had a bad day and are looking forward to having an alcoholic drink. If that becomes a habit, you may have a problem.

People often like to “drown their sorrows” in alcohol because it does make you feel relaxed and often relieves anxiety. But according to WebMD, there is a strong link between serious alcohol use and depression, begging the question: does alcohol abuse lead to depression or do depressed people just drink too much?

WebMD estimates nearly one-third of people with major depression have a problem with alcohol. The depression may come first, but using alcohol to medicate it can lead to addiction.

Many people use alcohol as an entrée into a social group, says David Douglas, executive director of Hand in Hand Lake County, a Christcentered ministry.

“Alcohol is legal and socially acceptable. When a person is struggling in life, they want to feel a part of something,” David says. “You find yourself social drinking to be like others. Then you find the alcohol takes away your pain or helps you forget about your struggles.”

The American Addiction Centers says the connection between alcohol and depression cannot be denied. The centers use the term “alcohol use disorder,” or AUD, which is defined as problem drinking and covers a significant spectrum of people who have issues with alcohol.

As president and director of Ruth House, Rebecca Randall has worked with women in crisis since 2000. Ruth House is a transitional shelter near downtown Umatilla.

“I think a lot of times addicts use alcohol to anesthetize mental health issues,” Rebecca says. “I find if you address the mental health issues, it gets easier to resist turning to alcohol.”

David also says alcohol use is a symptom of underlying issues like a bad childhood, ugly divorce, death of a loved one, or even guilt and shame. He also says the clinically depressed cannot be overlooked.

“These are individuals with chemical imbalances in their brain,” David says. “This can lead to alcohol misuse; however, this type of depression needs a doctor’s intervention.”

Even your primary care doctor can help you see if depression is an issue in your life. If you feel your overall sadness is more than the blues, be sure to speak with your physician about it.

“I must share this,” David adds. “I see all of these underlying issues as the evil in our lives. Even the original [Alcoholics Anonymous] supports the issue of not having God in your life. We have to have a power greater than ourselves to give our hurts and hang-ups to.”

At Hand in Hand, residents in recovery learn about G.R.I.T., which stands for God, Relationships, Integrity, and Truth.

“If we give our lives (and struggles) to God, he will help us with our relationships so we can rebuild our integrity and learn the real truth in all we do,” David says. “Because depression goes hand in hand with alcohol misuse, the underlying issues must be addressed head on.”

The National Institute of Mental Health says major depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. When a person is plagued with a depressed mood or loss of interest in doing pleasurable activities, lack of sleep, eating changes, and loss of energy, concentration, and self-esteem for a period of two weeks or longer, it could be depression, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health has found.

“Then there is the other effect of depression and alcohol. Some people get a high from drinking,” David says. “It gives them energy and they feel more socially acceptable. In this case, drinking starts because of depression and the person drinking feels happy or ‘normal’ for a while.”

The next time you drink, THINK. Why are you having more than one drink? Alcohol and depression may not provide the satisfying mix you’re seeking.

Symptoms Of Aud

• A lot of time spent drinking

• Recurrence of drinking too much or for too long

• Continually craving alcohol

• Continuing to drink despite negative effects on relationships

• Cutting back on other activities in favor of drinking

• Continued drinking even though it results in depression

Source: American Addiction Centers

An estimated 40 million Americans are plagued by excessive anxietyand their fears can intensify at Christmastime.

Ahigh school teacher, wife, and mother of three boys, Vanessa Vazquez, of Mascotte, finds the holidays extremely stressful with many social demands, changes in normal routine, and a financial burden. Add anxiety to the mix, and the stress gets cranked up tenfold.

“Anxiety is problematic because I have daily ‘what if’ thoughts and I doubt myself all the time,” she says. “I could very easily fill the entire months of November and December with a million wonderful activities, but that causes me stress, costs money, and will leave everyone disgruntled because I’m a mess.”

Of course, it’s a normal part of life to get nervous or feel anxious from time to time—when speaking in public, for instance—but when the anxiety is persistent and overwhelming, it can interfere with daily life.

Anxiety disorders are the most common and pervasive mental disorders in the United States, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America website. The ADAA estimates 40 million American adults suffer from anxiety disorders, and only one-third receive treatment.

“Anxiety doesn’t mean you are broken or weak or sick. It is manageable,” Vanessa says. “I was able to manage it without medication for many years, but I also knew I needed to see a medical professional when all my normal ‘go-to’ remedies weren’t working anymore.”

She sought counseling for those “life is too hard” moments.

“If I had a weak heart, I’d see a cardiologist regularly. So, I see a therapist and my doctor for my weak brain,” Vanessa says. “One thing I have learned to do is know my limits. The holidays are a very busy time, and I have to be OK saying ‘no’ to things that seem like we have to or should do. I have a list of priorities and I make sure I keep those in mind when planning out our time.”

She also schedules “dates” with her husband and plans rest as well as alone time. She intends to do her Christmas shopping online.

“Those are big sanity savers. If I go, go, go, I will get mentally burned out and I will be useless to everyone,” she says. “One of my triggers for anxiety is exhaustion. When I am tired, I am much more at risk of having panic attacks, so I have to make sure I am sleeping well and letting my mind rest.”

One of the best ways people can help is to be an advocate for their friend or loved one who has anxiety.

“Don’t get mad when they can’t do something or can’t make a decision; help them through it by letting them talk out their fears and worries,” Vanessa says. “Do not discount what they are saying or tell them they are wrong or dumb; support them and help them through the struggle. Don’t take offense if they really cannot do something. Fear is a very loud motivator and it’s very rarely rational.”

She encourages others with anxiety to not hide their struggles.

“Find a trusted friend, therapist, or loved one and let them help you,” Vanessa says. “Anxiety, fear, and depression will get better, but you have to be honest with yourself and work hard to retrain your brain.“

“My brain tells me not to do many things, and if I listened to my thoughts all the time, I would never leave the house. You have to be courageous in order to get better.”

Counseling can be therapeutic for anxiety-prone individuals, says Sandi Burchfield, a licensed marriage and family therapist at Family Life Counseling Center in Groveland.

“Now is their big Christmas meal and they start having triggers from the past when there was trauma, violence, anxiety—things that were bad experiences with their family before—and they may have tucked it away all year long,” she says, adding it’s important to develop “good coping skills.”

Lack of sleep, not eating well, getting too much sugar, and smoking too much nicotine can worsen anxiety, according to Karen Rogers, director of adult clinical services, and Jill Baird, senior vice president of clinical services at LifeStream, a behavioral health and social services organization in Leesburg.

They offered coping tips for the holidays:

Make efforts to be healthy

Push yourself to exercise or walk. Try to control anxiety with what you do have control over. Exercise also is beneficial in releasing endorphins.

Express gratitude

This is a proven remedy to help people overcome negative emotions. Write down two or three things that you feel grateful about each day.

Let go of expectations

The perception of needing the perfect food or perfect presents can be too much. It’s OK to buy the grocery meal rather than prepare a feast.