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A gastroenterologist is a doctor who specializes in preventing,
diagnosing and treating disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
When you eat, food is broken down and nutrients are absorbed.
Problems with any one of your digestive organs can interfere
with this process. Conditions gastroenterologists address include
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hepatitis, stomach ulcers,
celiac disease, diverticulitis, nutritional problems, inflammatory
bowel disease, cirrhosis, pancreatitis and cancer.
Some of these conditions may require surgery, which
gastroenterologists don’t perform. Procedures gastroenterologists
commonly perform include:
Colonoscopy.
This involves a long flexible tube with a light and
camera (see “Don’t skip this test,” at right).
Endoscopy.
This procedure involves instruments similar to
those used for colonoscopy. But they’re used to examine and treat
the esophagus, stomach and other organs.
If your doctor has referred you to a gastroenterologist, the
doctors of Digestive Diseases Center of South Texas are available
for appointments at Specialty Clinic 2 everyWednesday afternoon.
Digestive Diseases Center of South Texas has provided 30 years
of superior quality gastroenterology services to San Antonio,
Jourdanton, Floresville and the South Texas region and are thrilled
to add Hondo to their list of service areas.
Medina Healthcare CEO Janice Simons says, “We are pleased
to offer the services of these highly skilled specialists to our
community. Dr. Ravi Botla and Dr. Amit Goyal have extensive
training and experience in digestive diseases and disorders, and
they will be an asset to the services we can provide at Medina
Regional Hospital.”
Ravi Botla, MD, did his Internal Medicine residency at Grant
Hospital, Chicago, a Rush–Presbyterian University affiliate. He
did two years of research and training
in hepatology at the Mayo Clinic and the
University of Southern California. He
completed his gastroenterology fellowship
at the University of Texas Health Sciences
Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) in
1997 and then received further training in
advanced endoscopy and liver transplant.
Dr. Botla is a part-time faculty at the
UTHSCSA Gastroenterology/Nutrition
Department. He is board-certified in
internal medicine and gastroenterology
and enjoys practicing in South Texas.
Amit Goyal, MD, graduated from All
India Institute of Medical Sciences in
New Delhi. He did his internal medicine
residency at Albert Einstein Medical
Center in New York and his fellowship
in gastroenterology at the University of
Arkansas. He held academic positions at
the University of Colorado, Denver, for six years before moving
to private practice in San Antonio.
Dr. Goyal was the acting chief of gastroenterology and director
of motility disorders at the Denver VA medical center. He was
closely involved in teaching all aspects of gastroenterology and
endoscopic procedures. He focused on gastroesophageal reflux
and motility disorders during his tenure in addition to general
gastroenterology. He is skilled at elective and emergent endoscopic
procedures. Dr. Goyal is board-certified in gastroenterology.
To schedule an appointment with one of our gastroenterologists,
please call
210-253-3422
.
COLONOSCOPY
Don’t skip
this test
It’s a test many people dread, but it has the
potential to save lives. We’re talking about
a colonoscopy, which is used to screen for
colorectal cancer, one of the top causes of
cancer deaths in the U.S.
If you’ve been avoiding this test, here are
some things to know that may convince you
to give it a try:
●
●
Colonoscopy can find cancer—or the
polyps (abnormal growths) that may
become cancer—early, when treatment
is often most successful. It also gives
your doctor immediate access to polyps
so they can be removed right away. That’s
not true with other colon cancer screening
methods, which all require a follow-up
colonoscopy if polyps or other problems
are found.
●
●
Screening for people at average risk
of colorectal cancer starts at age 50.
People at higher risk, including people
with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or
a strong family history of colon cancer,
should start earlier. Talk with your doctor
about your individual screening plan.
Sources: American Cancer Society; National Cancer Institute
Being outdoors is often a choice and at other times a necessity,
whether you’re enjoying a walk in the neighborhood or doing
yard work.
If you spend time outside, consider this a must-do: Defend
yourself against the sun’s dangerous rays.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. But the
good news is that there are simple things you can do to help
prevent skin cancer or detect it early enough so that it can
be effectively treated.
To help protect your skin, the American Academy of
Dermatology and other experts advise that you:
●
●
Make sunscreen a habit. Choose a broad-spectrum one
with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Apply it
generously and often.
●
●
Try to seek shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the
sun’s rays are strongest.
●
●
Avoid tanning beds and deliberately tanning.
●
●
Wear wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, pants and
sunglasses when outdoors.
●
●
Examine your skin from head to toe at least once a month.
Report any suspicious or problem spots to your doctor.
●
●
Ask your doctor how often you should have a skin exam.
By taking these steps, you can enjoy the outdoors and
lower your risk of getting skin cancer.
Get that mole checked
MedinaHealthcare
System welcomes Nicole Owens, MD,
a board-certified Dermatologist, to its
Specialty Clinic 2 at 610 31st St. in Hondo.
Dr. Owens is available for appointments
in Hondo on the first Thursday of each
month. To schedule your visit, please call
210-836-7586
.
SK IN CANCER
Play
defense
Protect your
skin from
the sun
Nicole Owens, MD
Ravi Botla, MD
Amit Goyal, MD
What is a gastroenterologist?
Fall into fitness
Get ready, get set for
Medina Healthcare
System’s 5K run/walk
When:
Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m.
Where:
Medina Regional Hospital
Learn more:
For information about
registration or to volunteer, please contact
Jennifer at
830-426-7483
or
jgomez@
medinahospital.net
.
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M E D I N A H E A L T H N E W S
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N E W S , V I E W S & T I P S
H E A L T H T A L K