While most hernias aren’t immediately dangerous, they don’t go away on their own, so surgery is oftentimes needed to prevent complications. What is a Hernia? A hernia happens when the muscle or tissue that holds an organ in place weakens, allowing the organ to break through the muscle or tissue. One of the most common…
Da Vinci Robotic Surgery Provides Excellent Outcomes, Smaller Incisions
Robot-assisted surgery (sometimes called ‘robotic surgery’) is one of many techniques the surgeons at Muskegon Surgical Associates use to provide the best possible care to our patients. Robot-assisted surgery allows for many types of complex surgeries and delicate procedures to be performed with more control, precision, and flexibility than would otherwise be possible. Just as…
Muskegon Surgical Associates earns AAAASF accreditation for patient safety
Muskegon, MI — Muskegon Surgical Associates has demonstrated its commitment to patient safety by gaining accreditation from the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). AAAASF is celebrating over 40 years of promoting the highest quality patient safety in the ambulatory surgery setting (office-based or outpatient), as well as rehabilitation and outpatient therapy…
Schedule Your Colonoscopy Without a Hospital Visit
For more adults, the American Cancer Society recommends regular colon screenings (typically, a colonoscopy) beginning at the age of 45. Your doctor may recommend you have a colonoscopy sooner if you have specific symptoms or a family history of colon issues. Until recently, scheduling a hospital visit in the Muskegon area required a hospital visit….
Preventing and Treating Breast Cancer: Symptoms, Mammograms, and Surgical Options
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a good time to remember that early detection of breast cancer saves lives. Since 1990 mammograms have helped reduce the breast cancer mortality rate by 40%. The survival rate for stage one breast cancer is 100%. This is an excellent time to begin monthly self-exams if you aren’t…
What Are the Most Common Types of Hernia, and How Are They Treated?
A hernia occurs when pressure in the abdomen pushes an organ or tissue through an opening or weak spot in muscle or fascia (connective tissue). The most common types of hernias occur in the inner groin, outer groin, upper stomach, belly button, or near an incision. Causes of Hernia Anything that creates increased pressure in…
Vasectomy or Tubal Ligation? How to Choose the Right Permanent Birth Control Option is Right for Your Family
There are a number of effective contraception options for preventing pregnancy, including birth control pills, IUDs, condoms, and more. For couples who are finished building their family or who have decided to not have children, it can make sense to consider a more permanent, reliable birth control option. These choices include tubal ligation for women…
When to See a Doctor About Heartburn
For many people, heartburn (medically termed gastroesophageal reflux, GERD, or just ‘reflux’) is an annoyance that can be managed through a change in diet, reduction of stress, or the use of over-the-counter medicines such as omeprazole (e.g., Prilosec) or lansoprazole (e.g., Prevacid). Some people experience chronic cough but don’t realize it can be sign of…
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of a Gallbladder Attack
The gallbladder is an organ that most of us rarely think about, located below the liver in the upper-right part of the abdomen. The gallbladder stores bile, which helps the body break down fat and vitamins from food by delivering bile (a combination of fluids, fat, and cholesterol) to the small intestine. Potential gallbladder problems…
What is endoscopy?
Endoscopy is a nonsurgical procedure that allows a doctor to examine and repair internal organs by inserting a flexible tube through the mouth, other opening, or a small incision. The tube, or endoscope, is equipped with a camera and light. Endoscopy is most commonly used to diagnose and treat issues with the digestive tract. Endoscopy offers the significant…