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With any new procedure can come some hesitancy and, of course, some questions, especially with routine colonoscopies. For starters, you might be nervous about the prep or feel unsure of what it might entail. You might find yourself wondering how long the process will take if the colonoscopy will involve pain and how you’ll feel after the procedure is complete.

However, when you know how to prepare thoroughly, what the day will entail, and what to expect after the procedure is complete, you can make your first colonoscopy a much less stressful experience. 

So if you scheduled or are looking to schedule an upcoming routine colonoscopy, here is everything you need to know:

When Should You Begin Getting Colonoscopies? 

Colonoscopies test your colon and rectum to spot any small polyps or growths that may later become cancerous. A long thin tube with a camera at the end is inserted deep into your colon during the procedure. For those 45 years or older, it should become a routine part of your wellness care. However, there might be other factors that could lead to an earlier need for a colonoscopy. Your doctor may suggest a colonoscopy before 45 years of age if you:

• Have a family history of colon cancer
• Have a family history of rectal cancer
• Have a family history of polyps
• If you are looking for an explanation as to why you experience pain, bloody stool, constipation, or diarrhea

The procedure is considered safe, but if you are worried about any risk factors, discuss them further with your primary care doctor. 

The Day Before Prep

Before you arrive for your procedure, your doctor will provide you with detailed prep instructions to ensure your colon gets cleaned out. Your doctor may ask you to stop specific medications a few days before the procedure, so be sure to mention any prescribed or over-the-counter medicines you may be taking daily, including supplements. 

You’ll want to refrain from any solid foods the day before and stick to clear liquids up until midnight the night before.

You will also get a laxative or enema to take the day before so that they can get a clear view of anything that could be worrisome. 

The Day of Your Colonoscopy 

Your doctor might schedule your colonoscopy at the office, local clinic, or hospital. You’ll want to arrive early and make sure to have someone available to take you and pick you up, as you’ll receive medication that will make you drowsy. 

During The Procedure

The entire procedure will take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. After being given medication, you’ll lay on your side. Air will first be blown through the tube into your rectum to help widen your colon and make the procedure painless. The doctor will then place the camera inside to look for any polyps or growths. If they see any signs that appear to be precancerous during the process, they may take a biopsy. They might also remove any polyps they find along the way. 

What to Expect After Your Colonoscopy

Once the procedure is complete, you’ll spend the next hour resting in recovery. Because of air in your colon, you will be passing gas, and mild cramping or minimal blood during your first bowel movement may occur. 

Follow Up Care and Appointments

The results of your colonoscopy will determine how often you schedule them. For those prone to polyps, you may need to plan your next test anywhere between five and ten years after your first. However, if your test is standard, the next one shouldn’t occur for another ten years or so until you reach the age of 75. From there, you can discuss with your doctor if the procedure is still necessary or not. 

Quality Family Medical Care and More! 

Here at NY Health, our wide variety of services are here to help ensure that you get the proper, personalized care you need. We continuously strive to deliver the best medical care possible with your wellbeing in mind.  

Arthritis is a very common condition characterized by joint inflammation that affects millions of
individuals each year. Any person living with arthritis can attest to the pain, swelling, stiffness,
and discomfort resulting from this condition. These individuals also understand the daily reality
of how small changes in your lifestyle or surroundings, such as weather, can make a significant
impact on their joints.

It’s commonly thought that cold temperatures lead to increased pain for joints, but is that the
truth?

Together, let’s debunk some of the most common arthritis myths
relating to winter weather:

Myth: Cold Temperatures Cause Arthritis To Worsen
While many people living with arthritis notice increased pain and discomfort in their joints during
the winter and cold weather, the reason isn’t the temperature. As the atmospheric pressure
drops when winter rolls around, this pressure change can cause your joints to swell more than
usual, leading to increased pain.

Myth: There Is No Way To Help Your Arthritis During Winter
There are several measures you can take to help protect your joints from winter weather and
help minimize your pain and swelling:

● Stay indoors as much as possible
● Remain active and find new ways to get your body moving
● Eat anti-inflammatory foods such as green leafy vegetables
● Apply cooling products such as lotions and creams
● Keep hydrated

Don’t forget to speak with your doctor about other ways to care for and treat your arthritis pain
and swelling.

Myth: High Humidity Relieves Joint Pain
It’s actually the opposite! High humidity has been shown to cause pain in your joints, just like
low atmospheric pressure. This combination of environmental conditions often occurs before a
storm, so people with arthritis may notice increased joint swelling as a storm approaches.

Myth: Only Old People With Arthritis Are Affected By The Weather
Commonly, arthritis is thought of as a disease that only affects old people, but with over 100
different types of arthritis and related conditions, individuals of all ages are affected. Those with
more intense arthritis may notice more pain and swelling due to low atmospheric pressure and
high humidity in the air, though that doesn’t necessarily mean this is only the case for older
people.

Rheumatologist in New York
If you are concerned about your health or have joint pain or swelling, don’t hesitate to speak
with one of the expert doctors at NY Health.

Happy American Heart Month!

The month of February is all about giving and showing your love for the people in your life, but let’s not forget to give ourselves some love too!

Heart disease is still the leading cause of death globally, with many not aware of how their daily
habits impact their heart health. Don’t worry; we’re here to help guide you on your journey to
optimal heart health!

Take a look at these ten tips to help you live a heart-healthy lifestyle:

1. Get Moving
Get up off the couch and get moving! Exercise is an essential part of living a healthy lifestyle.
Your heart is a muscle, and like any other muscle in the body, exercise helps strengthen it.
Speak with your doctor about what exercises are best for you and your body before starting.
Just 30 minutes of aerobics or heart-pumping movements can have you feeling better than ever!

2. Eat Heart-Healthy Foods
Your diet has a significant impact on your overall health! Fill your plates every day with lots of
different fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, fatty fish, and other healthy fats. For
example, some of the best foods to eat for a healthy heart include salmon, avocados, leafy
greens, walnuts, dark chocolate, beans, and more. Your meals don't have to be boring to be
heart healthy!

3. Watch Your Salt
Most of the salt you consume doesn’t come from the salt shaker but from processed foods.
Focusing on more home-cooked meals and limiting processed and take-out meals can help
your heart health. Try aiming for less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day.

4. Watch Your Weight
If you are overweight, even a small decrease in your weight can improve your blood pressure.
While diet and exercise are effective for weight loss, it’s also important to find what works for
you to maintain a healthy weight.

5. Minimize Your Stress
We all deal with stress and troubles, some more than others, but learning how to control and
limit your anxiety levels is crucial to staying happy and healthy. Exercising, meditating, getting enough sleep, speaking with loved ones, and hobbies are all great ways to start working on less
stress in your life.

6. Quit Smoking
If you currently smoke, now’s the time to work on quitting. If you don’t currently smoke, don’t
start! Tobacco from cigarettes and other products not only destroys your lungs but also
damages your heart and leaves you at a remarkably increased risk for heart disease and stroke.

7. Limit Alcohol Consumption
While moderate alcohol consumption has shown to help raise HDL cholesterol, also known as
good cholesterol levels, heavy alcohol intake is bad for your heart and overall health. Be sure to
watch and limit your alcoholic drinks to no more than one or two a day!

8. Watch Your Medications
Some over-the-counter or prescription medications can have high levels of sodium that can lead
to higher blood pressure. Be sure to talk to your doctor and pharmacist about the medicines you
are taking.

9. Focus on Your Happiness
Maintaining a positive outlook on life can help your overall health in so many ways. Reduced
anxiety can lead to better moods and help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Focusing
on what makes you happy is a simple and effective way to take good care of yourself.

10. Visit Your Doctor Regularly
Once you’ve found a trusted doctor, visit them at least once a year for a physical to ensure you
haven’t developed any conditions or ailments that can put your heart health at risk. Also, make
sure your blood pressure and cholesterol levels are within normal limits and ask for guidance
and further recommendations to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Bay Shore, NY, February 2, 2021– New York Health (NY Health) is proud to announce that board-certified Family Medicine physician, Bianca Garcia, MD has joined the multidisciplinary team of physicians. She will be practicing at 69 W Main St., Bay Shore, NY 11706.

Dr. Garcia graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Minor in Biology. She obtained a Doctor of Medicine from Ross University School of Medicine in 2011. She completed her Residency in Family Medicine at South Nassau Communities Hospital. 

Dr. Garcia aspired to practice family medicine since she was a child. “Family medicine allows me to form relationships and provide care for families across generations,” she said. “It is a rewarding opportunity to educate my patients on the importance of preventative medicine.”

Prior to joining NY Health, Dr. Garcia practiced at Plainview Primary Care, a division of ProHealth Care Associates. As part of NY Health, Dr. Garcia will practice alongside Family Medicine physician, Dr. John Muratori. Her fluency in Spanish will help to provide proficient patient-centered care to Bay Shore and the surrounding communities.

About New York Health

At New York Health, we provide highly professional, sensitive, and personalized care. All of our patients become part of the NY Health family and we will continuously strive to achieve our main goal. Deliver the best medical care possible with your well being in mind.

Bay Shore, NY – February 1, 2020- New York Health (NYHealth) is proud to announce that board-certified Family Medicine physician, John Muratori, MD will be joining its multi-specialty team. Dr. Muratori will be practicing at 69 W Main St. Bay Shore, NY 11706.

Dr. Muratori is excited to be a part of NY Health’s commitment to the highest quality of comprehensive care. Physicians in the practice have serviced many of his patients before, so, “I wanted to be a part of a team that has the best doctors and provides the best experience for patients in a community setting,” he said.

Dr. Muratori has over twenty years of medical experience. He received his Doctor of Medicine from St. George’s University School of Medicine. Thereafter, he completed his Family Medicine Residency at Southside Hospital. Prior to joining New York Health, Dr. Muratori has served as Director of the Department of Family Medicine at Southside Hospital, Medical Director of Ocean Family Medicine, and Medical Director of Kindred at Home.

Early in his life, Dr. Muratori knew he wanted to practice family medicine. As a complete physician with vast knowledge and expertise in all assets of medical health, Dr. Muratori has built repertoires with his patients and their families. A leader with a passion for medicine, Dr. Muratori has previously educated many of his peers.

Have you made yourself some New Year’s resolutions? Like many others, you’ve probably set yourself some goals in hopes of making 2021 your healthiest and happiest year yet, but it’s never as easy as it sounds. Life gets in the way, and expectations can’t always be met, which may result in falling back into old habits.

These tips are here to help you stay on track and accomplish your resolutions this year; after all, we’re in this together!

Choose a Specific Goal

Don’t be vague with your resolutions. Rather than saying, “I want to lose weight”, say, “I want to lose 20 pounds by the summer and want to exercise 30 minutes every day.” When you make your goals more specific, you’re creating a pathway that will make completing your resolutions achievable.

Limit Your Resolutions

If you’re looking for success, you’re better off only making a few resolutions rather than a bunch. Focus on one or only a few goals for the year so you can complete those rather than taking a few steps towards various goals.

Make Time for Planning

Don’t wait till the last minute to choose your resolutions and how you plan on achieving them. Spend some time brainstorming steps to take that will help you along your journey.

Find Support

The buddy system does work! Find a friend or family member to help keep you motivated.

Document

Taking the time to document, your resolutions is a great way to stay organized and motivated. If it’s been a few weeks and you find yourself slowing down, take a look back at the early days when you first started and were the most encouraged. If you track your results and feelings, you can always re-read your past victories when you’re feeling down.

Learn and Adapt

Encountering a setback or making a mistake is one of the most common reasons people give up on their goals. If you accidentally relapse back to an old habit or get off track, try not to view it as a failure. Learn from your mistakes, and use them to stay motivated and adapt as needed.

Health Care in New York

If you are concerned about your health, don’t hesitate to speak with one of the expert doctors at NY Health. Here at NY Health, our wide variety of services are here to help ensure that you get the proper, personalized care you need. We continuously strive to deliver the best medical care possible with your well-being in mind.

Visit our website or give us a call to learn more about how we can help you!