EAT HEALTHY, EVEN WHEN YOU’RE OUT

WITH DR. TARUN MULLICK

As our communities get vaccinated and we can move about during the next phase of this pandemic, keep supporting local restaurants a couple times a week if you can! To feel like you are on the Mediterranean while nearby, head down to the revamped Eden on the River. With an upscale menu, you can see the Fox River as you dine with modernized delectable delights. I started with Muhammara, which is a spread made from red bell peppers, walnuts, bread crumbs and pomegranate molasses. You can eat it with fresh-baked pita bread or just with a spoon. It is scintillating on the tongue, hitting the sweet, tangy, textured and comforting appeals in dining. Next, I had the hot dish served on a platter with a little fire and flare... the saganaki. This is a melted cheese served hot on a sizzling platter. As the server brings it to the table, brandy is poured, creating a tall flame and sounding of an “opa.” Finally, to round out this protein balance, I ordered the shrimp scampi, which is sizzling shrimp sauteed in olive oil and lemon juice and served with bread. These tapas-style dishes are good for sharing and take you back to the Mediterranean Sea. Opa!

 Dr. Tarun Mullick is a specialist trained at Johns Hopkins and Cleveland Clinic in Gastroenterology and Endoscopy based in Geneva. Connect with him at www.mullickmd. com or by phone at 630-232-2025.

Ask the doctor

It is my honor and privilege to serve the community and readership of this publication. Our practice’s focus is to care for patients, to help them and tailor their care individually with current therapies.

Q: Has the screening age for colon cancer just changed?

A: Colon cancer screening is for both men and women. It is preventable, beatable and treatable. Screening starts at 45 unless you have symptoms prior at whatever age or family history of polyps or cancer. Get screened. It can be done safely, even now.

Q: Do you offer telehealth? Many practices don’t? What do you think about that?

A: Yes, we offer telehealth. This means you can get treatment without leaving your home. We will only bring you in for necessary tests, and you can choose locations away from hospitals, which likely have more serious COVID-19 patients. It’s safer to go to smaller practices and centers away like ours. In general, it appears telehealth is here to stay for years to come. It presents an alternative. And, for those, who don’t like waits — we call you. Thus, you can continue to do whatever you need to in the meanwhile.

Q: I’ve been told the louder I belch, the better the meal, especially during a Chicago Bears NFL game. With the

Packers games, I tend to release gas lower down if you know what I mean. It’s a compliment in some countries.

But, is that a good thing or is it the Packers?

A: Belching can sometimes be a fun activity, especially during a Chicago Bears NFL game. But in all seriousness, it represents the body’s need to remove gas or air to relieve some pressure in the stomach, kind of like a teapot releasing steam when the water boils. Ultimately, it may be a sign of overeating at the moment, or of intake of foods producing gas, like roughage more difficult to digest, sodas or carbonated beverages, or large quantities of any kind of food. Also, there can be some slippage of the stomach above the diaphragm muscle that creates a hiatal hernia. If it continues, an endoscopy would be helpful to determine.

Q: Everyone tells me my diarrhea or bloating is just in my head. Is that true? Are there medicines for it?

A: It’s a real symptom or symptoms. Thus, it needs to be addressed. If testing with endoscopy for celiac and workup for Crohn’s and other diseases are unrevealing, then functional causes exist, which include food allergies, food intolerances or IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). If you have symptoms, then please go to a gastroenterologist for a workup, as treatments exist. There are multiple new medicines we offer for treatment. We are committed to bringing new, cutting-edge therapies to the western suburbs.

WORD SCRAMBLE:

O N L O S Y C P O O C H A E T L E L E T H N U R H A E R B T S A R E B C A I E N C V

ANSWERS: Colonoscopy, Telehealth, Heartburn, Bears, Vaccine

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Connie, Batavia -- “Lost 44 lbs, with Dr. Mullick’s recommended system, and it stayed off.”* Jamie, Geneva -- “Lost 12 pound in my FIRST MONTH!! It really works. Call for appointment 630-232-2025 Pay LESS for your colonoscopy or endoscopy.

Facility Fees are significantly lower. Cost of health care is going up. Pay less for your test. We are JCAHO certified. Met your Deductible?? Get in before year end. Save on your deductible. Pay LESS. Heartburn, Diarrhea, Constipation, Liver Disease, Pancreatitis, Abdominal Pain, Colitis, Crohns/ Ulcerative Colitis, Gallbladder, Rectal Bleeding We have quality doctors and team on staff to serve you well. Its our honor to take care of you. AMERICAN COLONOSCOPY AND ENDOSCOPY CENTER

2631 Williamsburg Ave 301. Geneva, IL. Call now for your appointment. 630-232-2025 IF YOU DO BREAST CANCER SCREENING, GET COLON CANCER SCREENING.

It affects men and women BOTH and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths. It is VERY important to get this screening done - colon cancer is beatable and treatable if caught early enough through colon screening. HEARTBURN PATIENTS PLEASE COME TO GET EVALUATED FOR PRECANCEROUS

BARRETT’S; ESOPHAGEAL CANCER HAS INCREASED IN THE PAST 4 DECADES.

FREE BOTTLE OF A USANA VITAMIN WITH COMPLETED COLONOSCOPY FOR NEW CLIENTS*

*Some restrictions may apply. Available while supply lasts.

Dear Dr. Mullick, My family never had polyps or cancer. Do I really need a colonoscopy? Jane

Dear Jane: Great question. Colon cancer can affect anyone, regardless of family history. Everyone over age 45 should get a colonoscopy. If you have family history you should start at age 40 or 10 to 15 years before the youngest relative with a problem. Screening helps reduce risk.

Dr. Mullick, I’ve got bloating and gas. Sometimes I have diarrhea or nausea after I eat. Could I have food allergies? My doctor said it’s IBS (irritable bowel). Kristen

Dear Kristen: Yes, food intolerances to lactose, sucrose and fructose are common, so you may need to avoid those. We have tests in the office for that. The symptoms of IBS and food allergies are often similar, so testing for food allergies is reasonable. We can test for that, too. We have helped many patients diagnosed with food allergies, so it’s not all IBS.

SAVE YOUR LIFE! TELL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Get colon cancer screening. Beatable,Treatable, Preventable in most situations. S. from Geneva. “I am glad I had my colonoscopy done at the American Colonoscopy and Endoscopy center. I had some polyps removed and that will likely prevent a cancer. The facility was wonderful and it saved me money.” LET’S BEAT IT! 630-232-2025.

BACK PAIN. CARPALTUNNEL.WRIST PAIN. PAIN IN FOOT. PAIN IN LIMBS

PERIPHERAL NERVE TEST Certified center & trained team. Call now for your clinic appointment and test date. 630-232-2025.

PPO, Medicare, and Cash payment accepted *Results may not be typical.