Gregory Bernstein, M.D. - The Seattle Gut Doctor

10/12/2022

Should I get a colonoscopy?What about the recent article that was published? This is a much more appropriate title to the recently published New England Journal article since the primary intervention being studied was being randomized to get a letter recommending a colonoscopy, or not, not actually getting a colonoscopy itself. The study shows that letters alone won’t prevent colon cancer or death from colon cancer, which isn’t all that surprising!

Notable problems/limitations of this study from the opinion of a gastroenterologist:

1) Only a little over 40% of people who were selected to get a colonoscopy got one. Hard to show a benefit when the study group doesn’t do what is being studied.

2) In US, follow up surveillance after polyps are removed is more frequent. We know that long term surveillance is needed to further minimize risks of colon cancer or death

3) This study is not applicable/generalizable to the US general population as those countries enrolled (Sweden, Norway, Netherlands and Poland) have a predominately white population and a much overall lower rate of colon cancer.

Don’t be fooled, folks. Colonoscopies reduce the risk of colon cancer and your chances from dying due to colon cancer by up to 50%. I will continue to strongly recommend colonoscopy as the best test to both detect and prevent colon cancer for all of my patients.


health

12/22/2021

Got GERD? Check out my recent contribution to very well fit! Thank you Gastro Health - Washington!

Lifestyle changes are the mainstay for GERD treatment and home remedies.

07/31/2021

Is your food sticking or slowing down when you swallow? Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a serious symptom that should be evaluated by a Gastroenterologist. It can be associated with a more severe form of acid reflux (GERD) or another less common allergic/autoimmune condition known as eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE).

11/22/2020

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, be sure to read an article I wrote for FRISKA. Channel your inner food warrior and learn how to dominate the digestion super bowl!

https://www.getfriska.com/blogs/create-healthier-habits/how-to-dominate-the-digestion-Super Bowl

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, even the fiercest of food warriors are preparing for digestive domination! Approaching your food in the same way an all-star athlete might approach a competition is essential. Understanding the game, the key players, and the tools at your disposal will prepa...

08/23/2020

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 5 stars! Means the world to me when patients don’t just feel better, but have a great experience in the process!

08/09/2020

Curious about the role of prebiotics, probiotics, or digestive enzymes in maintaining optimal digestive health? Check out the piece I wrote for Ageist!

A healthy gut is tied to a healthy brain and immune system. Here we navigate probiotics, prebiotics, and enzyme supplements.

08/07/2020

There is no better time to schedule that office visit or procedure you've been putting off due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Watch the video and let me explain all of the safety measures we have taken to keep you safe and to prevent further delays in necessary care:

Keeping You Safe We know you may have concerns about coming to a healthcare facility, and it’s important to know we are taking additional measures to ensure our care centers and surgery centers are safe places to receive and provide care. As we begin the process of resuming normal services, we wil...

07/30/2020

Delays in routine screening due to COVID are estimated to cause an excess of 10,000 preventable cancer deaths over the next decade. Colon and breast cancer top the list. Don’t delay your screening, people!

About 35% of Americans have missed routine cancer screenings due to COVID-19 fears. Doctors are urging them to keep their appointments.

03/29/2020

COVID 19 can present with digestive symptoms! Anorexia (loss of appetite) appears to be the most common (in up to 70-80% of patients), but diarrhea, nausea and vomiting can also occur in roughly 30%. Somewhat unusual symptoms that are highly correlated with COVID are the loss or alteration of taste (dysguesia) and smell (anosmia). However, the most common symptoms are fevers, cough and shortness of breath.

03/28/2020

Worried about your digestive symptoms? Dr. Gregory Bernstein, The Seattle Gut Doctor, is now pleased to offer telehealth (virtual visits) that can be performed from the comfort of your own home! Call 206-838-1777 to learn more and schedule your virtual visit!