Women's Health Wednesday: Dr. Supriya Rao Shares Essentials of Heart Burn, Colonoscopy, and Important GI Conditions
“Most people in this country suffer from gastrointestinal issues; I want to help them overcome these problems- whether it's via diet, procedures, medication, or mindfulness. It's an exciting time to be in this field.” Today’s woman dreamer, Dr. Supriya Rao, a Boston-based Gastroenterologist, shares what every woman must know about their gut health, from colonoscopy and heartburn to red flags to watch out for. Also known as “Gutsy Girl MD’ on Instagram/Twitter, Dr. Rao shares her passion for medical field, and her exciting dream of building an online platform to educate patients on this crucial issue. Join us for another educational Women’s Health Wednesday!
1. Tell us your story, What inspired you to become a doctor? How did you find your interest in Gastroenterology?
I'm a board certified physician in internal medicine, gastroenterology and obesity medicine. I grew up in a non medical household and initially had no plans to go into medicine. In college, I wanted to pursue computer science and business. However, as I went along in my coursework, I was enjoying my science classes more and felt drawn to them. There was a class called Principles of Human Disease that furthered my interest in medicine. I then volunteered in the neonatal ICU at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center which jumpstarted my love of patient care. I went to medical school and really loved adult medicine. Gastroenterology really appealed to me because of the procedural nature of the specialty as well as the disease processes. Most people in this country suffer from gastrointestinal issues and I want to help them overcome these problems- whether it's via diet, procedures, medication, or mindfulness. It's an exciting time to be in this field with all the new research coming out about the gut microbiome. I've lived in the Boston area since 2011. I moved here for fellowship training and have not left! It's been a wonderful environment and I'm a partner in my practice.
2. Some common GI questions we hear are related to food & digestion. Chronic acid reflux / heartburn are very common complaints. What are some remedies you recommend?
I always start with lifestyle changes. I recommend that people eat smaller meals (eat until 80% full), avoid eating after 6-6:30pm, and avoid food triggers. Common triggers include spicy food, acidic foods and caffeinated foods. I also recommend elevating the head of the bed. If these simple remedies do not work, I recommend trials of acid blocking medications like omeprazole (PPI medication) or famotidine (H2 blocker). If there are other concerns or pertinent family history, I recommend evaluation with an upper endoscopy which is a procedure that uses a scope with a camera to look into the esophagus and stomach.
3. What are some guidelines for colonoscopy and when should a woman get a colonoscopy?
The guidelines for colonoscopy were recently updated this year. For average risk screening for colon cancer (for both men and women), the recommended age to start is 45. If the colonoscopy is normal, the procedure can be repeated in 10 years. If there is a family history of colon cancer or a history of polyps (precancerous lesions), the starting age may be earlier and followup intervals may be shorter.
4. What are some "red flag" GI symptoms that one should not ignore?
Red flag symptoms include: persistent abdominal pain, new changes in bowel habits (ie new constipation or diarrhea), blood in stool, difficulty or pain with swallowing (feeling like food is getting stuck), unintentional weight loss, evidence of anemia on blood testing
5. What are some ways to avoid & treat constipation?
I usually tell patients to start with water and a high fiber diet. Most of us do not get adequate fiber in our diet (at least 30-35 grams daily) or drink enough water. I recommend increasing fiber via dietary sources (ie fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains) but a fiber supplement can also be used. If this does not help, I use some over the counter remedies such as magnesium, Miralax, or docusate. If these don't work, there are some prescriptions that can be used. Sometimes, there is a problem with the pelvic floor musculature which may be contributing to the constipation. We do specialized testing to determine this and have physical therapy to help retrain those muscles.
6. As a dreamcatchers platform we have to ask, what is your next big dream?
My next big dream is to have an online platform that can help patients with their gastrointestinal and weight management issues. I see patients for both and having an app based solution that is comprehensive and looks at all aspects of their life to help them with physician guidance would be very powerful.
Thank you Supriya for sharing your story and expertise with us! We are excited to have you in our global women’s network!
Bio: Supriya Rao, MD is a board certified physician in internal medicine, gastroenterology and obesity medicine. She is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Duke University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and gastroenterology fellowship at Boston Medical Center. She is a managing partner of her GI practice, Integrated Gastroenterology Consultants, located in Chelmsford, MA. She is also the Director of Medical Weight Loss at Lowell General Hospital. She is an active member in the Digestive Health Physicians Alliance and involved in health policy advocacy in GI. Her clinical interests include gut health and motility, inflammatory bowel disease, women's health, and weight management. She is active on Instagram and Twitter- @GutsyGirlMD
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