5 minute read
EAT HEALTHY, EVEN WHEN YOU’RE OUT
by Shaw Media
WITH DR. TARUN MULLICK
As our communities get vaccinated and we can move about during the next phase of this pandemic, keep supporting the restaurants a couple times a week if you can! I was in the mood for something tasty but something more chill, so I ventured to the Walnut Speakeasy in Elgin. The theme? Classic Americana with fun. And, boy, with some buffalo cheese curds to start, I was mixing the fun of buffalo wings sauce with squeaky, tasty cheese curds. Dipped in their house-made ranch, these curds send you over to that place called Flavortown. And, did I mention it has a good balance of carbs, protein and fat?
For the main course, I went with the house-made pulled pork sandwich. Tender juicy pulled pork heaping over the sides of a soft but not too carb-heavy bun — this is another one that hits all the flavor notes. The homemade
barbecue sauce and side of coleslaw all fits too well.
Let’s just say, this personifies “speakeasy,” and the food was so good I could hardly speak!
WORD SCRAMBLE:
L U S B L S H W K A D I A C N U R H A E R B T E E N I G N S R C
ANSWERS: Bulls, Hawks, Acid, Heartburn, Screening
Dr. Tarun Mullick is a specialist trained at Johns Hopkins and Cleveland Clinic in Gastroenterology and Endoscopy based in Geneva. Connect with him at www.mullickmd.com or by phone at 630-232-2025.
Ask the doctor
It is my honor and privilege to serve the community and readership of this publication. Our practice’s focus is to care for patients, to help them and tailor their care individually with current therapies.
Q: Which is better: a colonoscopy, or Cologuard?
A: Colonoscopy is still the best. Cologuard is for later stage testing of growths; it misses earlier polyps. Colon cancer screening is for both men and women. It is preventable, beatable and treatable. Screening starts at age 45 unless you have symptoms prior at whatever age, or family history of polyps or cancer. Get screened.
Q: Sometimes I have watery stools but with some blood — what should I do?
A: This may be a sign of diarrhea that is from a colitis or from local trauma due to the abrasive nature of wiping or too much diarrhea. It could also be from a polyp or a cancer. For these reasons, please present for evaluation with gastroenterology. Please don’t ignore this.
Q: Why are there years where the flu does not respond to the flu shot?
A: The flu vaccination is just a few certain strain or strains that are influenza related. Unfortunately, the strain that affects us may not be the one in the flu shot. So, it seems it’s about a coin toss from year to year. Overall, though, flu does create a lot of morbidity, and thus, getting the flu shot is still advised in most cases. However, the COVID-19 vaccines are 90+% effective. That’s a vaccination I would definitely get!
Q: Getting tests done like colonoscopy, blood tests or CT scans can be covered but up to double, triple and five to seven times higher at hospitals. My insurance premiums worry me — what do you suggest?
A: Yes, the cost differential between hospitals' facility fees and endocenters, surgical centers or imaging centers is often several thousands of dollars. Deductible Shop, www.deductibleshop. com, is a platform that enables you to shop your deductible to save in your medical, auto, home, and vet (pet) costs. As it grows, there will be more users that will want to put their information to enable the consumer to better shop their deductible. It is my policy to serve the community well and find the better value for them as well. If you need any help, please call my office at 630-232-2025, and we will help you navigate.
PLEASE CALL 630-232-2025 WWW.DEDUCTIBLESHOP.COM
IT'S YOUR DEDUCTIBLE! Why pay thousands more for care, tests, repairs
MEDICAL - AUTO - HOME - VET (PETS) LOSE WEIGHT NOW!
Connie, Batavia -- “Lost 44 lbs, with Dr. Mullick’s recommended system, and it stayed off.”* Jamie, Geneva -- “Lost 12 pound in my FIRST MONTH!! It really works. Call for appointment 630-232-2025 Pay LESS for your colonoscopy or endoscopy.
Facility Fees are significantly lower. Cost of health care is going up. Pay less for your test. We are JCAHO certified. Met your Deductible?? Get in before year end. Save on your deductible. Pay LESS. Heartburn, Diarrhea, Constipation, Liver Disease, Pancreatitis, Abdominal Pain, Colitis, Crohns/ Ulcerative Colitis, Gallbladder, Rectal Bleeding We have quality doctors and team on staff to serve you well. Its our honor to take care of you. AMERICAN COLONOSCOPY AND ENDOSCOPY CENTER
2631 Williamsburg Ave 301. Geneva, IL. Call now for your appointment. 630-232-2025 IF YOU DO BREAST CANCER SCREENING, GET COLON CANCER SCREENING.
It affects men and women BOTH and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths. It is VERY important to get this screening done - colon cancer is beatable and treatable if caught early enough through colon screening. HEARTBURN PATIENTS PLEASE COME TO GET EVALUATED FOR PRECANCEROUS
BARRETT’S; ESOPHAGEAL CANCER HAS INCREASED IN THE PAST 4 DECADES.
FREE BOTTLE OF A USANA VITAMIN WITH COMPLETED COLONOSCOPY FOR NEW CLIENTS*
*Some restrictions may apply. Available while supply lasts.
Dear Dr. Mullick, My family never had polyps or cancer. Do I really need a colonoscopy? Jane
Dear Jane: Great question. Colon cancer can affect anyone, regardless of family history. Everyone over age 45 should get a colonoscopy. If you have family history you should start at age 40 or 10 to 15 years before the youngest relative with a problem. Screening helps reduce risk.
Dr. Mullick, I’ve got bloating and gas. Sometimes I have diarrhea or nausea after I eat. Could I have food allergies? My doctor said it’s IBS (irritable bowel). Kristen
Dear Kristen: Yes, food intolerances to lactose, sucrose and fructose are common, so you may need to avoid those. We have tests in the office for that. The symptoms of IBS and food allergies are often similar, so testing for food allergies is reasonable. We can test for that, too. We have helped many patients diagnosed with food allergies, so it’s not all IBS.
