News

New Clinic in Spencer

Pioneer is proud to announce the opening of our newest facility in Spencer Virginia. Pioneer Family Practice of Spencer is scheduled to open on December 5th. The clinic will specialize in Family Medicine and will be a great asset to the Pioneer Family Network. Based on the research of the area and its Pioneer determined that we could make a positive impact on the Spencer Community. Long-term Pioneer employee, Pamela Craig, will be the Office Manager. Natasha Jones will be the Medical Assistant.. Pioneer is proud to introduce the newest member of our medical staff, Vanessa Hairston. Mrs. Hairston joins Pioneer with 26 years of medical experience. She is a graduate of Patrick Henry, Virginia Commonwealth, Duke University and Old Dominion. She and her husband reside in Martinsville, Virginia. They have one son, who attends Virginia Commonwealth University, and are very active in their church. Welcome Vanessa!

Spencer Clinic Now Open

 

 

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Patrick has state of the art TIF Procedure available.

TIF (transoral incisionless fundoplication) is th latest treatment for safely and effectively treating chronic acid reflux disease, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A completely incisionless procedure, TIF reconstructs the antireflux barrier to provide a solution to the anatomical root cause of GERD. The procedure is for patients who are dissatisfied with current pharmaceutical therapies or are concerned about the long-term effects of daily use of reflux medications.

 

 

What is GERD?
If you have heartburn or reflux twice a week or more, you may have GERD. Heartburn is the most common symptom, but you may also experience:

  • Hoarseness or sore throat
  • Frequent swallowing
  • Asthma or asthma-like symptoms
  • Pain or discomfort in the chest
  • Sleep disruption (unable to sleep lying down)
  • Bloating
  • Excessive clearing of the throat
  • Persistent cough
  • Burning in the mouth or throat
  • Intolerance of certain foods
  • Dental erosions or therapy-resistant gum disease or inflammation

Normally, after swallowing, a valve between the esophagus and stomach opens to allow food to pass, then it closes to prevent stomach contents from "refluxing" back into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest. For people who suffer from GERD, the valve is dysfunctional and unable to prevent acid from refluxing into the esophagus.

 

TIF procedure

TIF was developed to emulate more invasive surgical techniques, but from within and completely without incisions and visible scars. Using the FDA-cleared EsophyX device, the procedure is performed through the mouth, rather than through an abdominal incision. Typically lasting no more than 50-60 minutes, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia and reconstructs the antireflux barrier to restore the competency of the gastroesophageal junction. Most patients can go home the next day and return to work within a few days.

 

 

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Healthy News

Ask Dr. Mimi

June is Men's Health Month, so it's time to talk about a big men's health concern. However, this article is not just for men. It's also for the wives, mothers, sisters and daughters who care about them, and it is especially for the men who are too stubborn to go to the doctor unless a body part is falling off! The fact is, more than 30 million men suffer from prostate conditions that negatively affect their quality of life, and prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American men after lung cancer. It can be a silent killer. You may feel fine but still have early stages of prostate cancer that can only be detected with proper screenings. Detecting and treating prostate cancer early makes a huge difference in your chances for a healthy recovery.
What is the prostate and what does it do? The prostate is part of the male sex organs. It is a small gland, about the size of a walnut, which surrounds your urethra, the tube that takes urine from the bladder to the penis. The main function of the prostate gland is to make some of the fluids that are in semen.
What are the main problems you can have involving the prostate? The prostate gland grows during puberty until it reaches mature size. After this, it doesn't change much until about age 40 when it slowly begins growing again and, in many men, doesn't stop. About half of men aren't bothered by their growing prostate, but the other half develops one or more of three prostate diseases. The first is development of an enlarged prostate, which most often causes difficulty urinating. The second is prostatitis, which is an inflammation of the prostate that may be caused by an infection. Symptoms of prostatitis usually include discomfort in the pelvis, back pain, and uncomfortable or painful urination. The third main prostate condition is prostate cancer, which this article will focus on. Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate grow out of control. Left untreated, the cells damage the prostate and usually spread to, and damage, other parts of the body.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer? Many men with prostate cancer often have no symptoms until the disease is in an advanced stage. If symptoms appear, they can include: the inability to urinate, blood in the urine, the need to urinate frequently (especially at night), weak or interrupted urine flow, pain or burning feeling while urinating, and/or constant pain in the lower back, pelvis, or upper thighs. It is important to keep in mind that these symptoms may also be caused by other prostate problems besides cancer such as prostatitis or an enlarged prostate as mentioned above. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible.
What are the risk factors for prostate cancer? There is no way to know for sure if you will get prostate cancer. Men have a greater chance of developing prostate cancer if they are 50 years old or older. There are also family links. A man is at greater risk if he has a father, brother, or son who has had prostate cancer. Risk of developing prostate cancer is also greater in African-American men.
So what should I do?It depends on how old you are and whether you have risk factors. Starting at 50 years old, all men should be screened yearly by their doctor. Men with risk factors for prostate cancer should start their screenings earlier, around 40-45 years of age. The key is early detection. The most common screenings for prostate cancer include a manual examination where the health care professional checks the size, shape, and hardness of the prostate gland. A second common screening is the Prostate Specific Antigen Test (PSA). PSA is a substance made by the prostate. The PSA test measures the level of PSA in the blood, which may be higher in men who have prostate cancer. It is important to note, however, that prostate cancer is only one of the possible causes for high PSA levels. Medical experts are constantly discussing the positives and negatives of PSA testing, and the best way to figure out what is best for you is to talk to your doctor.
It is always a good idea to see your doctor at least once a year. An annual health checkup makes sure you are on schedule for your prostate screenings as well as other age-appropriate checks!

 

Questions for future articles can be sent to my e-mail at askdrmimi@yahoo.com or write to me at: Dr. Mimi Ausmanas, P.O. Box 912, Stuart, VA 24171.

 

 

 

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