As we discussed in last week’s article, colorectal cancer rates have been increasing in individuals younger than 50 years old since the 1990s. If you’re considered high risk for colorectal cancer or are 45 years or older, your doctor has probably recommended you get screened. Screening is the best method for finding precancerous polyps (growths in the lining of the colon) and for early detection of colorectal cancer.

Since colonoscopies are generally considered the gold standard for screening and detection, you may be wondering, “Who performs a colonoscopy?” Read on to learn the answer to your question and more details about the colonoscopy procedure and preparation.

Key Takeaways

• Gastroenterologists perform colonoscopies and specialize in the digestive system.
• During a colonoscopy, a colonoscope is used to view the inner lining of your colon.
• Colonoscopy preparation includes adjusting your diet to ensure your colon is empty on the day of the procedure.

Who Performs a Colonoscopy?

If it’s time for you to receive your first colon cancer screening, you may be wondering, “Who performs a colonoscopy?” Unless you’ve had gastrointestinal issues in the past, this likely isn’t something you’ve given much thought to. But the fact of the matter is, as you get older, you’ll most likely come into contact with more doctors who specialize in different fields of medicine, like gastroenterologists. Which brings us to the answer to our question, “Who performs a colonoscopy?”

A gastroenterologist is a doctor who specializes in the human digestive system. This includes organs such as your stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, small and large intestine, rectum, and anus. Performing colonoscopies is one of the ways a gastroenterologist screens their patients for cancer and other digestive problems.

However, gastroenterologists aren’t the only doctors who perform this procedure. It can also be performed by an endoscopist, a person trained to operate an endoscope, or a colorectal surgeon, a doctor specializing in gastrointestinal disease.

What Is a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy allows your gastroenterologist to see any growths, tears, and other issues that could be affecting your colon, making it one of the best ways to diagnose colorectal cancer.

By using a colonoscope, a lighted camera attached to a catheter, inserted into the anus, your gastroenterologist is able to view video footage of the inner lining of your colon to look for any abnormalities.

The colonoscope blows carbon dioxide to inflate the colon and helps your doctor get a better view. The colonoscope goes to the end of the large intestine, with your doctor examining the lining all along the way and then examining it again as the colonoscope is removed. If your gastroenterologist sees any polyps, which is not uncommon, they can remove them during the colonoscopy.

How Do You Prepare for a Colonoscopy?

Once your doctor has scheduled your colonoscopy, they’ll also give you instructions on how to adjust your diet the week leading up to your procedure. This usually includes a low-fiber diet a few days before and then a clear liquid diet the day before your appointment. This means no solid foods the day before the procedure.

The evening before your colonoscopy, you’ll take a laxative to help remove any remaining stool from your large intestine. This is to ensure that your colon is as free and clear as possible to give your doctor the best view of it. Failure to follow your doctor’s instructions may result in having to reschedule your colonoscopy and redo the prior week’s preparation.

What Can You Expect During and After the Procedure?

Since a colonoscopy requires general anesthesia or a mild sedative, you’ll need to bring someone who can drive you back home on the day of your appointment. It generally takes about a day for anesthesia to wear off. You can speak with your doctor about the best sedation option for you.

With sedation, you shouldn’t feel any pain, even if your surgeon has to biopsy or remove polyps, but you may be aware of mild discomfort or gas pain as the colonoscope inflates your colon with carbon dioxide.

The whole experience usually takes around two hours, with the second hour used for recovery and waking up from the anesthesia.

When to See an Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital Gastroenterologist

The idea of getting a colonoscopy is enough to make one feel more than uncomfortable. However, our expert team of gastroenterologists here at Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital are fully equipped to handle your procedure with care, compassion, and comfort. If your doctor has recommended you receive a colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer or another reason, ask them about a referral to RMC’s Digestive Care Services. Our gastroenterology physicians are ready to deliver the expertise and care you require.

Can healthy people have a heart attack? Many people think they’re safe from the dangers of heart disease and having a heart attack because they either eat a healthy diet, exercise, are not overweight, or all three. However, heart health is a bit more complicated than that, and seemingly healthy people are still susceptible to having a heart attack. 

Key Takeaways

• Risk factors for heart disease and heart attacks include controllable and uncontrollable factors.
• Warning signs in outwardly healthy individuals may be more subtle but should never be ignored.
• Prevention strategies include regular checkups and an awareness of your family medical history.

Can Healthy People Have a Heart Attack?

It’s easy to assume that people who prioritize physical fitness and eat right don’t have to worry about having a heart attack or battling heart disease. However, the reality is that your heart’s health is affected by a combination of factors, many of which aren’t externally visible. 

What are the risk factors beyond lifestyle choices?

Some heart disease risk factors are beyond one’s control. For instance, you can’t control who your parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles are. In other words, genetics and family history play a vital, unseen role. Even with other external indicators of good health, a family history of early cardiovascular disease can increase your risk. Additionally, the older you get, the more your risk of heart attack increases, starting as early as 40 for some people.

We know that heart disease is the leading killer of American adults, but men face a higher risk earlier in life, whereas women aren’t equally at risk until after menopause. 

Furthermore, those with inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis also have a higher risk of heart attack due to the manner in which inflammation can damage blood vessels and increase plaque buildup in the arteries.

What are the controllable risk factors?

The risk factors mentioned above have more to do with elements that are out of our control. But there are controllable risk factors that also contribute to healthy people having a heart attack that no one saw coming. 

High cholesterol and hypertension are two of them. It’s generally recommended that adults over the age of 20 get their blood cholesterol levels checked every 4–6 years to determine cardiovascular risk. This involves a blood test for total cholesterol, “bad” cholesterol (LDL), “good” cholesterol (HDL), and triglycerides. 

Physically fit people can also have consistently high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, that puts them at higher risk for heart attack. This can be due to another controllable factor: stress. Prioritizing stress reduction, and thereby, blood pressure and cholesterol, can significantly reduce one’s risk of having a heart attack.

Are There Warning Signs?

When a young, seemingly fit person has a heart attack, people are usually surprised and even sometimes say it came out of nowhere. However, there are typically some, albeit subtle, warning signs. Understanding the early signs is one of the most critical aspects of preventing severe heart events.

Common Warning Signs

• Subtle signs in women: heart attack warning signs present differently in women than in men. Women may experience extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, or mild chest discomfort rather than sharp pain.
• Any pressure, tightness, or pain in the chest should always be taken seriously.
• Pay attention to pain above the waist, like discomfort in the jaw, neck, shoulders, and back, as these can all indicate trouble.
• Feeling faint during exercise or other rigorous physical activities could be a signal of an underlying issue.
• Sudden, unexplained difficulty breathing is also a common red flag.

Early intervention saves lives! If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or someone else, seek medical attention. Always call 911 immediately if someone is experiencing a heart attack.

What Are Some Prevention Methods?

We mentioned some uncontrollable risk factors that may put a healthy person at risk for heart attack, but by taking proactive steps, you can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease and, ultimately, heart attack.

• Schedule regular checkups: Routine screenings are meant to identify issues like high blood pressure or cholesterol before they reach deadly levels.
• Monitor Lifestyle Habits: If you smoke or vape, take steps to permanently quit. Do your best to maintain a heart-healthy diet that includes a lot of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. And, of course, engage in regular exercise, but talk with your doctor before you start any intense regimens.
• Manage stress: As we mentioned, stress is a major cause of hypertension. Try incorporating mindfulness or relaxation techniques throughout your day to reduce or control stress levels.
• Know your family history: A family history of heart disease is not to be taken lightly. Discuss additional preventive measures with your primary care physician if you have or had relatives who struggled with heart disease.

Take Charge of Your Health at Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital

No one is immune to heart disease. It can silently wreak havoc on individuals who appear fit as a fiddle on the outside. By understanding your risk factors, recognizing warning signs, and committing to regular health screenings, you can increase your chances of living a heart-attack-free life.
If you’re concerned about your cardiovascular risk or simply want to take preventative measures, contact us! Our Heart and Vascular Program was created to give patients access to a system of medical services to maintain and improve their heart and vascular health. Schedule an appointment with our Cardiac Team to receive the heart and vascular care you need today!

As of 2025, heart disease is still the leading cause of death for American adults. According to the CDC, one person dies every 33 seconds from heart disease, and heart disease claimed the lives of over 700,000 people in 2022. That’s approximately one out of every 5 deaths resulting from heart disease. Additionally, and also alarmingly, heart disease is the leading killer of women, causing ⅓ of all female deaths.

Given these staggering statistics, it’s vital to stay aware of what state your heart health is in. You can take control of your cardiovascular health by understanding how to detect early warning signs, managing your risk factors, and performing at-home health checks.

Key Takeaways

• Chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and palpitations are all early signs of heart disease.
• You can assess your heart health at home by monitoring your blood pressure and heart rate.
• Eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking and secondhand smoke are top strategies for improving heart health.

How Do You Know If Your Heart Is Healthy?

If you notice a change in your ability to perform daily activities like going up stairs or getting winded during light activities, these could be early signs of potential heart problems. Two easy tests to help gauge your cardiovascular fitness include climbing four flights of stairs in one minute and the Cooper 12-Minute Run/Walk Test.

How do you know if your heart is healthy? Keep reading below for three key ways to measure heart health and prevent a heart attack or stroke.

Three Key Ways to Measure Heart Health

1. Blood Pressure Monitoring

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a critical indicator of heart health. It can progress to critical conditions like angina, pressure, or heavy feeling in the chest. You can easily monitor your blood pressure at home with a store-bought device. Normal adult blood pressure should be at or below 120/80 mm Hg. A systolic pressure of 130 or higher or a diastolic pressure of 80 or higher that stays elevated are considered high and are signs that you should see your doctor.

2. Check Your Heart Rate

Your resting heart rate is a good indicator of how efficiently your heart is pumping. For most adults, a healthy resting heart rate ranges between 60–100 beats per minute. You can easily measure yours now by following these two steps:

1. Place your index and middle fingers on your wrist or neck to feel your pulse.
2. Count your pulse for ten seconds, then multiply that number by six to find your beats per minute.

Fitness trackers like the AppleWatch and Fitbit have heart rate monitoring features built in and can alert you to any irregularities they detect.

     3. Use a Portable EKG

A portable EKG monitor can detect if your heart has an irregular rhythm and help identify
issues like atrial fibrillation. However, be careful not to rely on any of these methods for
diagnosing a heart attack. If you think you’re having a heart attack, always call 911
Immediately.

How Can You Improve Your Heart Health?

If you feel like you’ve noticed a decline in your heart health, you can take steps to reverse the decline today, starting with a heart-healthy diet. What we eat has a significant impact on how good (or bad) our body functions. By focusing on plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains and limiting saturated fats, sodium, and processed foods, you can give your heart the vitamins and nutrients it needs to beat strong for a long time.

Exercise and quitting smoking are also two major ways to improve heart health. Moderate exercise, like brisk walking or cycling for 150 minutes weekly, can strengthen your heart and improve circulation, while stopping smoking dramatically reduces your risk of heart disease.

Contact Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital About Your Heart Health

Take the first steps to a healthier lifestyle and a lifelong commitment to keeping your heart healthy today! Contact us for full-service cardiologic care and services and experienced cardiologists and cardiac specialists to protect your cardiovascular health. 

If you’re experiencing persistent symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue, don’t wait to see a specialist. Our experts can provide a thorough evaluation to discover the root cause of your symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan to help achieve optimal heart health.

February is the month of love! So we’re talking all things love and heart-related for this month’s articles. First up, is love really good for you? Let’s discuss the benefits of love and how experiencing love can be good for you.

Key Takeaways

• Love can give a boost to your mental health by reducing stress and increasing happiness.
• Evidence suggests strong romantic and platonic relationships can positively affect your physical health, specifically your heart health and immune system.
• Love can increase your pain tolerance and help you recover from injury or surgery quicker.
• Supportive relationships have been shown to increase life expectancy and improve quality of sleep.
• Feeling loved fosters emotional security and can help reduce anxiety.

Five Ways the Benefits of Love Helps Your Body Thrive

While some may think of love as just an abstract concept or a feeling that sweeps you off your feet for a period of time, studies show it can be a powerful force with tangible effects on your health. The benefits of love go far beyond simply romance with the ability to boost your mood and enhance your physical well-being. Here are five ways love helps your body thrive.

1. Love Reduces Stress and Anxiety

One of the most notable benefits of love is its ability to fight the stress hormone cortisol to help you feel more relaxed and less anxious. By helping your brain produce more oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone,” love helps foster feelings of trust and security. Combined, these occurrences have the potential to lower chronic stress conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease (the leading cause of death for adults in America).

2. Love Supports Heart Health 

When people think about love, the​​ heart is usually the first thing that comes to mind, but perhaps not for the reasons it should. Studies show that people in healthy, loving relationships are less likely to have high blood pressure and enjoy a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. This can be attributed to multiple factors like eating healthier and exercising more to look good for the one you love, and reducing stress.

3. Love Improves Your Immune System

Did you know that a loving relationship can do wonders for your immune system? The boosts of oxytocin and dopamine that your brain releases when you’re in love help you feel good in more ways than just their primary functions. By strengthening your body’s ability to fight off illness, they keep you feeling healthy, too. People in supportive relationships are shown to be less likely to experience the negative effects that stress can have on the immune system. In turn, they don’t have as hard of a time fending off colds and also recover from illnesses more quickly.

4. Love Eases Pain

Love has a unique ability to ease both physical and emotional pain. Research shows that just thinking about someone you love can activate your brain’s reward system to reduce your body’s perception of pain. The effects are increased if physical touch like a hug or kiss is involved.

5. Love Increases Longevity

Do people in love live longer? Studies show that happy, committed couples (especially men) live longer than people who are single or in unhealthy relationships. This can be attributed to most of the benefits we listed above: lower stress, better physical health, and a strong support system.

Stay Heart-Healthy with Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Care

Love can be a powerful force, but if you’re concerned about your heart health, we would love to help address your concerns. Whether you’re looking to lower your stress levels, address a family history of heart disease, or strengthen your heart, we can assist you. Contact us today to start your journey to a healthier you!

Seeing your child have an allergic reaction for the first time can be a stressful event. For many parents, it prompts them to want to know everything their child may be allergic to. This is understandable, as allergic reactions in children can range from mild to life-threatening. 

If you do suspect your child has allergies due to changes in their behavior or physical appearance, it’s important to understand how allergy testing for children works and when it’s necessary. In this article, we’ll discuss how identifying the root cause of an allergic reaction early can help your child avoid discomfort and stay safe.

Key Takeaways

• Allergy testing for children helps identify triggers and improve their quality of life. 
• The most common allergy tests include skin tests, blood tests, and food challenges.
• The results of the test help your pediatrician or family doctor put together a treatment plan.

What Are the Allergy Symptoms Seen in Children

Allergies in children aren’t always present from birth; they can develop at any age and from various triggers, including environmental irritants, foods, or medication. If your child starts exhibiting the following symptoms, it could be an indication that they’re experiencing an allergic reaction.

• Nonstop runny nose
• Congestion
• Trouble breathing
• Frequent coughing
• Skin rashes or hives
• Upset stomach after eating certain foods

Talk to your child’s pediatrician or family doctor about allergy testing if you notice your child exhibiting any of these symptoms for more than a couple of weeks or if they have an adverse reaction after specific exposures. Allergy testing for children can expose the specific allergens causing your child’s symptoms and help you effectively address them.

Diagnostic Procedures: What Should You Expect?

There are several common allergy tests that your child’s pediatrician or family doctor could recommend depending on the suspected trigger. Each test involves a different testing method, and they’re not always definitive in determining what your child is allergic to. Sometimes, multiple kinds of tests are needed to rule out false positives or negative results.

Skin Test

During a skin test, the doctor places tiny drops of the potential allergens on your child’s forearm or upper back and gives them a tiny prick so the allergen can get inside their skin. If your child is allergic, a red, itchy bump will appear within 15–20 minutes. While skin tests are considered highly reliable, a reaction doesn’t always mean they’re allergic.

Blood Test

Your child’s doctor may choose a blood test if skin testing is not an option or in conjunction with a skin test to gain more insight. During a blood test, the doctor performs a standard blood draw to measure the levels of IgE antibodies that cause allergic reactions in your child’s blood. As with skin testing, a positive blood test isn’t always definitive in determining if your child is allergic to a specific allergen. Blood test results are not as quick as skin tests, with results taking a few days to return. However, they do provide valuable insight, especially when paired with other diagnostic methods.

Graded Oral Food Challenge

Graded oral food challenge is considered the gold standard for testing for food allergies and determining whether a previous allergy has resolved. These tests are performed in an outpatient clinic, where doctors or nurses have everything necessary to carefully treat your child should an allergic reaction occur. 

During a graded oral food challenge, your child will slowly consume increasing amounts of the suspected food allergen while under close medical supervision to see if a reaction occurs. This test usually lasts a few hours.

Patch Tests and Drug Allergy Testing

Patch tests are used to determine if your child has a skin irritation. During the test, the doctor applies the allergen to the skin and then watches for a reaction. Additionally, drug allergy testing is used to determine if your child is allergic to a specific medication by administering a small amount and monitoring your child’s response.

What’s Next After Treatment?

If testing confirms an allergy, your child’s doctor or pediatrician will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that may include the following:

• Avoidance strategies
• Prescription or OTC medication to manage symptoms
• Allergy shots
• Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is the gradual process of naturally reducing food allergen sensitivity by building tolerance through slowly introducing the allergen in controlled doses.

When Should You Seek Allergy Testing for Children?

Prolonged allergy symptoms can have detrimental effects on your child’s sleep, school attendance, and diet. If that’s the case with your child, it may be time to pursue testing with their doctor. They can test for allergies at six months old; however, testing is usually more reliable in older children.

Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital Is Here to Support Your Child’s Health

Allergy testing for children can help provide you with peace of mind as well as be a powerful tool to improve your child’s quality of life and prevent life-threatening reactions. Don’t hesitate to contact our pediatrics and family care physicians to schedule an appointment to discuss any symptoms your child is having. Our compassionate team is here to guide you through the testing process and create a plan that allows your child to thrive and live a happy, healthy life!